About this stotra
The Vishnu Suktam presented here is drawn from the Taittirīya Saṃhitā of the Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda, one of the most ancient Vedic texts glorifying Lord Vishnu as the cosmic sustainer. It should be noted that a separate Rig Vedic Vishnu Suktam also exists; this is the Yajurvedic recension widely used in South Indian temple and ritual traditions.
The hymn opens with a Vedic ṛk verse proclaiming Vishnu's heroic deeds — how he measured the earthly realms and propped up the highest celestial abode in three great strides, earning him the epithet Urugāya, the wide-going one. This is followed by a sacred Yajus formula in which ritual offerings are consecrated by identifying them with Vishnu himself — his sovereignty, his support, his steadfastness. Recited during Vaishnava rituals and daily worship, regular recitation is said to bring Vishnu's protection and draw the devotee toward his supreme abode.
Vishnu Suktam lyrics and meaning
॥ १ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 1
ॐ-विँष्णो॒र्नुकं॑-वीँ॒र्या॑णि॒ प्रवो॑चं॒ यः पार्थि॑वानि विम॒मे राजाग्ं॑सि॒ यो अस्क॑भाय॒दुत्त॑रग्ं स॒धस्थं॑-विँचक्रमा॒णस्त्रे॒धोरु॑गा॒यः ॥ १ ॥
विष्णो॑र॒राट॑मसि॒ विष्णोः᳚ पृ॒ष्ठम॑सि॒ विष्णो॒-श्श्नप्त्रे᳚स्थो॒ विष्णो॒स्स्यूर॑सि॒ विष्णो᳚र्ध्रु॒वम॑सि वैष्ण॒वम॑सि॒ विष्ण॑वे त्वा ॥ २ ॥
ōṃ viṣṇō̠rnuka̍ṃ vī̠ryā̍ṇi̠ pravō̍chaṃ̠ yaḥ pārthi̍vāni vima̠mē rājāgṃ̍si̠ yō aska̍bhāya̠dutta̍ragṃ sa̠dhastha̍ṃ vichakramā̠ṇastrē̠dhōru̍gā̠yaḥ ॥ 1 ॥
viṣṇō̍ra̠rāṭa̍masi̠ viṣṇō̎ḥ pṛ̠ṣṭhama̍si̠ viṣṇō̠-śśnaptrē̎sthō̠ viṣṇō̠ssyūra̍si̠ viṣṇō̎rdhru̠vama̍si vaiṣṇa̠vama̍si̠ viṣṇa̍vē tvā ॥ 2 ॥
Om! I shall now proclaim the heroic deeds of Vishnu, who measured out the earthly realms, who established the higher celestial abode, striding forth in three steps, the wide-going One. You are the sovereignty of Vishnu, you are the back (support) of Vishnu, you are the two corners of Vishnu's altar, you are the binding thread of Vishnu, you are the steadfast foundation of Vishnu, you belong to Vishnu — unto Vishnu I offer you.
Word by word
- ॐ (ōṃ)
- sacred syllable Om
- विष्णोः-नु-कम् (viṣṇōḥ-nu-kaṃ)
- of Vishnu indeed now (viṣṇōḥ:of Vishnu | nu:indeed/now | kaṃ:emphatic particle)
- वीर्याणि (vīryāṇi)
- heroic deeds, mighty acts
- प्रवोचम् (pravōchaṃ)
- I shall proclaim
- यः (yaḥ)
- who
- पार्थिवानि (pārthivāni)
- earthly, terrestrial realms
- विममे (vimamē)
- measured out
- राजांसि (rājāgṃsi)
- kingdoms, realms
- यः-अस्कभायत् (yō-askabhāyat)
- who established, supported (yaḥ:who | askabhāyat:propped up/established)
- उत्तरम्-सधस्थम् (uttaraṃ-sadhasthaṃ)
- the upper abode (uttaraṃ:upper/higher | sadhasthaṃ:abode/dwelling)
- विचक्रमाणः (vichakramāṇaḥ)
- striding forth
- त्रेधा (trēdhā)
- in three ways, three steps
- उरुगायः (urugāyaḥ)
- the wide-going one (uru:wide | gāyaḥ:going/sung)
- विष्णोः-अराटम्-असि (viṣṇōḥ-arāṭam-asi)
- you are the sovereignty of Vishnu (viṣṇōḥ:of Vishnu | arāṭam:sovereignty/dominion | asi:you are)
- विष्णोः-पृष्ठम्-असि (viṣṇōḥ-pṛṣṭham-asi)
- you are the back/support of Vishnu (viṣṇōḥ:of Vishnu | pṛṣṭham:back/support | asi:you are)
- विष्णोः-श्नप्त्रे-स्थः (viṣṇōḥ-śnaptrē-sthaḥ)
- you two stand as corners of Vishnu's altar (viṣṇōḥ:of Vishnu | śnaptrē:two corners | sthaḥ:you two stand)
- विष्णोः-स्यूः-असि (viṣṇōḥ-syūḥ-asi)
- you are the thread/binding of Vishnu (viṣṇōḥ:of Vishnu | syūḥ:thread/suture | asi:you are)
- विष्णोः-ध्रुवम्-असि (viṣṇōḥ-dhruvam-asi)
- you are the steadfast foundation of Vishnu (viṣṇōḥ:of Vishnu | dhruvam:fixed/steadfast | asi:you are)
- वैष्णवम्-असि (vaiṣṇavam-asi)
- you belong to Vishnu (vaiṣṇavam:belonging to Vishnu | asi:you are)
- विष्णवे-त्वा (viṣṇavē-tvā)
- unto Vishnu, you (viṣṇavē:to Vishnu | tvā:you)
॥ २ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 2
तद॑स्य प्रि॒यम॒भिपाथो॑ अश्याम् ।
नरो॒ यत्र॑ देव॒यवो॒ मद॑न्ति ।
उ॒रु॒क्र॒मस्य॒ स हि बन्धु॑रि॒त्था ।
विष्णो᳚ प॒दे प॑र॒मे मध्व॒ उथ्सः॑ ॥ ३ ॥
प्र तद्विष्णु॑-स्स्तवते वी॒र्या॑य ।
मृ॒गो न भी॒मः कु॑च॒रो गि॑रि॒ष्ठाः ।
यस्यो॒रुषु॑ त्रि॒षु वि॒क्रम॑णेषु ।
अधि॑क्ष॒यन्ति॒ भुव॑नानि॒ विश्वा᳚ ॥ ४ ॥
tada̍sya pri̠yama̠bhipāthō̍ aśyām ।
narō̠ yatra̍ dēva̠yavō̠ mada̍nti ।
u̠ru̠kra̠masya̠ sa hi bandhu̍ri̠tthā ।
viṣṇō̎ pa̠dē pa̍ra̠mē madhva̠ uthsa̍ḥ ॥ 3 ॥
pra tadviṣṇu̍-sstavatē vī̠ryā̍ya ।
mṛ̠gō na bhī̠maḥ ku̍cha̠rō gi̍ri̠ṣṭhāḥ ।
yasyō̠ruṣu̍ tri̠ṣu vi̠krama̍ṇēṣu ।
adhi̍kṣa̠yanti̠ bhuva̍nāni̠ viśvā̎ ॥ 4 ॥
May I attain that beloved abode of His, where men devoted to the gods rejoice in bliss. For that is the true kinship with the Wide-Strider — in Vishnu's supreme step there is a fountain of honey. Vishnu is praised for His heroic might — like a fearsome wild beast, wandering freely, dwelling on the mountain heights. In whose three wide strides all the worlds find their dwelling place.
Word by word
- तत् अस्य प्रियम् (tad asya priyam)
- that beloved of His (tad:that | asya:of Him | priyam:beloved)
- अभिपाथः अश्याम् (abhipāthō aśyām)
- may I attain the abode (abhipāthaḥ:abode/path | aśyām:may I attain)
- नरः यत्र (narō yatra)
- men where (naraḥ:men | yatra:where)
- देवयवः मदन्ति (dēvayavō madanti)
- the god-devoted ones rejoice (dēvayavaḥ:devoted to gods | madanti:rejoice)
- उरुक्रमस्य (urukramasya)
- of the Wide-Strider
- स हि बन्धुः इत्था (sa hi bandhuḥ itthā)
- that indeed is the kinship thus (sa:that | hi:indeed | bandhuḥ:kinship/relation | itthā:thus)
- विष्णोः पदे परमे (viṣṇōḥ padē paramē)
- in Vishnu's supreme step (viṣṇoḥ:of Vishnu | padē:in the step | paramē:supreme)
- मध्वः उत्सः (madhvaḥ utsaḥ)
- fountain of honey (madhvaḥ:of honey/sweetness | utsaḥ:fountain/spring)
- प्र तत् विष्णुः स्तवते (pra tad viṣṇuḥ stavatē)
- Vishnu is praised forth (pra:forth | tad:that | viṣṇuḥ:Vishnu | stavatē:is praised)
- वीर्याय (vīryāya)
- for heroic might
- मृगः न भीमः (mṛgō na bhīmaḥ)
- like a fearsome wild beast (mṛgaḥ:wild animal | na:like | bhīmaḥ:fearsome)
- कुचरः गिरिष्ठाः (kucharō giriṣṭhāḥ)
- wandering freely, dwelling on mountains (kucharaḥ:freely wandering | giriṣṭhāḥ:mountain-dwelling)
- यस्य उरुषु त्रिषु विक्रमणेषु (yasya uruṣu triṣu vikramaṇēṣu)
- in whose three wide strides (yasya:whose | uruṣu:wide | triṣu:three | vikramaṇēṣu:in the strides)
- अधिक्षयन्ति भुवनानि विश्वा (adhikṣayanti bhuvanāni viśvā)
- all worlds dwell (adhikṣayanti:they dwell/abide | bhuvanāni:worlds | viśvā:all)
॥ ३ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 3
प॒रो मात्र॑या त॒नुवा॑ वृधान ।
न ते॑ महि॒त्वमन्व॑श्नुवन्ति ।
उ॒भे ते॑ विद्म॒ रज॑सी पृथि॒व्या विष्णो॑ देव॒त्वम् ।
प॒र॒मस्य॑ विथ्से ॥ ५ ॥
pa̠rō mātra̍yā ta̠nuvā̍ vṛdhāna ।
na tē̍ mahi̠tvamanva̍śnuvanti ।
u̠bhē tē̍ vidma̠ raja̍sī pṛthi̠vyā viṣṇō̍ dēva̠tvam ।
pa̠ra̠masya̍ vithsē ॥ 5 ॥
Growing beyond all measure through Your own divine form, none can attain unto Your greatness. Both realms we know — the earthly and the celestial spaces, O Vishnu. Your divinity belongs to the Supreme, and we seek to know that highest abode.
Word by word
- परः (parō)
- beyond
- मात्रया (mātrayā)
- by measure
- तनुवा (tanuvā)
- by form, by body
- वृधान (vṛdhāna)
- growing, expanding
- न (na)
- not
- ते (tē)
- Your
- महित्वम् (mahitvam)
- greatness
- अन्वश्नुवन्ति (anvaśnuvanti)
- they attain, they reach (anu:after | aśnuvanti:they attain)
- उभे (ubhē)
- both
- ते (tē)
- Your
- विद्म (vidma)
- we know
- रजसी (rajasī)
- the two realms, spaces
- पृथिव्याः (pṛthivyā)
- of the earth
- विष्णो (viṣṇō)
- O Vishnu
- देवत्वम् (dēvatvam)
- divinity, divine nature
- परमस्य (paramasya)
- of the Supreme, of the highest
- वित्से (vithsē)
- to know, we seek to know
॥ ४ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 4
विच॑क्रमे पृथि॒वीमे॒ष ए॒ताम् ।
क्षेत्रा॑य॒ विष्णु॒र्मनु॑षे दश॒स्यन्न् ।
ध्रु॒वासो॑ अस्य की॒रयो॒ जना॑सः ।
ऊ॒रु॒क्षि॒तिग्ं सु॒जनि॑माचकार ॥ ६ ॥
त्रिर्दे॒वः पृ॑थि॒वीमे॒ष ए॒ताम् ।
विच॑क्रमे श॒तर्च॑स-म्महि॒त्वा ।
प्र विष्णु॑रस्तु त॒वस॒स्तवी॑यान् ।
त्वे॒षग्ग् ह्य॑स्य॒ स्थवि॑रस्य॒ नाम॑ ॥ ७ ॥
vicha̍kramē pṛthi̠vīmē̠ṣa ē̠tām ।
kṣētrā̍ya̠ viṣṇu̠rmanu̍ṣē daśa̠syann ।
dhru̠vāsō̍ asya kī̠rayō̠ janā̍saḥ ।
ū̠ru̠kṣi̠tigṃ su̠jani̍māchakāra ॥ 6 ॥
trirdē̠vaḥ pṛ̍thi̠vīmē̠ṣa ē̠tām ।
vicha̍kramē śa̠tarcha̍sa-mmahi̠tvā ।
pra viṣṇu̍rastu ta̠vasa̠stavī̍yān ।
tvē̠ṣagg hya̍sya̠ sthavi̍rasya̠ nāma̍ ॥ 7 ॥
Vishnu strode across this earth, preparing a dwelling place for humanity, bestowing his blessings. Steadfast are his devoted worshippers, the people who follow him. He created a wide abode, a place of good birth for all. Thrice did this god stride across the earth, with his greatness celebrated by a hundred hymns. May Vishnu be mightier than the mightiest. Dazzling indeed is the name of that ancient, steadfast one.
Word by word
- विचक्रमे (vi-chakramē)
- strode across (vi:across | chakramē:strode)
- पृथिवीम् एष एताम् (pṛthivīm ēṣa ētām)
- this one across this earth (pṛthivīm:earth | ēṣa:this one | ētām:this)
- क्षेत्राय (kṣētrāya)
- for a dwelling place
- विष्णुः (viṣṇuḥ)
- Vishnu
- मनुषे दशस्यन् (manuṣē daśasyann)
- bestowing blessings upon humanity (manuṣē:for mankind | daśasyann:bestowing/serving)
- ध्रुवासः (dhruvāsaḥ)
- steadfast ones
- अस्य कीरयः जनासः (asya kīrayaḥ janāsaḥ)
- his praising people (asya:his | kīrayaḥ:praisers/singers | janāsaḥ:people)
- ऊरुक्षितिम् (ūru-kṣitim)
- wide abode (ūru:wide | kṣitim:dwelling/abode)
- सुजनिम आचकार (su-janim āchakāra)
- created a place of good birth (su:good | janim:birth | āchakāra:he made)
- त्रिः देवः (triḥ dēvaḥ)
- thrice the god (triḥ:thrice | dēvaḥ:god)
- शतर्चसम् महित्वा (śatarchasam mahitvā)
- with greatness praised by hundred hymns (śatarchasam:having hundred praises | mahitvā:with greatness)
- प्र विष्णुः अस्तु (pra viṣṇuḥ astu)
- may Vishnu be forth (pra:forth | viṣṇuḥ:Vishnu | astu:may he be)
- तवसः तवीयान् (tavasaḥ tavīyān)
- mightier than the mighty (tavasaḥ:than the mighty | tavīyān:more mighty)
- त्वेषम् हि (tvēṣam hi)
- dazzling indeed (tvēṣam:dazzling/brilliant | hi:indeed)
- अस्य स्थविरस्य नाम (asya sthavirasya nāma)
- the name of this ancient one (asya:of this | sthavirasya:of the ancient/steadfast one | nāma:name)
॥ ५ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 5
अतो॑ दे॒वा अ॑वन्तु नो॒ यतो॒ विष्णु॑र्विचक्र॒मे ।
पृ॒थि॒व्या-स्स॒प्तधाम॑भिः ।
इ॒दं-विँष्णु॒र्विच॑क्रमे त्रे॒धा निद॑धे प॒दम् ।
समू॑ढमस्य पाग्ं सु॒रे ॥ त्रीणि॑ प॒दा विच॑क्रमे॒ विष्णु॑र्गो॒पा अदा᳚भ्यः ।
ततो॒ धर्मा॑णि धा॒रयन्॑ ।
विष्णोः॒ कर्मा॑णि पश्यत॒ यतो᳚ व्र॒तानि॑ पस्प॒शे ।
इन्द्र॑स्य॒ युज्य॒स्सखा᳚ ॥
atō̍ dē̠vā a̍vantu nō̠ yatō̠ viṣṇu̍rvichakra̠mē ।
pṛ̠thi̠vyā-ssa̠ptadhāma̍bhiḥ ।
i̠daṃ viṣṇu̠rvicha̍kramē trē̠dhā nida̍dhē pa̠dam ।
samū̍ḍhamasya pāgṃ su̠rē ॥ trīṇi̍ pa̠dā vicha̍kramē̠ viṣṇu̍rgō̠pā adā̎bhyaḥ ।
tatō̠ dharmā̍ṇi dhā̠rayan̍ ।
viṣṇō̠ḥ karmā̍ṇi paśyata̠ yatō̎ vra̠tāni̍ paspa̠śē ।
indra̍sya̠ yujya̠ssakhā̎ ॥
May the gods protect us from that realm whence Vishnu strode forth, across the seven stations of the earth. Vishnu strode across this universe, placing his foot in three realms; all is gathered in the dust of his feet. The inviolable protector Vishnu strode three steps, thereby upholding all sacred laws. Behold the mighty deeds of Vishnu, from whom sacred observances have been established — he who is the close companion and ally of Indra.
Word by word
- अतः (ataḥ)
- from that place
- देवाः (dēvāḥ)
- the gods
- अवन्तु नः (avantu naḥ)
- may they protect us (avantu:may they protect | naḥ:us)
- यतः (yataḥ)
- whence, from where
- विष्णुः विचक्रमे (viṣṇuḥ vichakramē)
- Vishnu strode forth (viṣṇuḥ:Vishnu | vichakramē:strode)
- पृथिव्याः (pṛthivyāḥ)
- of the earth
- सप्त-धामभिः (sapta-dhāmabhiḥ)
- with seven stations/abodes (sapta:seven | dhāmabhiḥ:stations)
- इदम् (idam)
- this
- त्रेधा (trēdhā)
- in three ways/places
- निदधे पदम् (nidadhē padam)
- placed his foot (nidadhē:placed | padam:foot)
- समूढम् (samūḍham)
- gathered, collected
- अस्य पांसुरे (asya pāṃsurē)
- in the dust of his (asya:his | pāṃsurē:in the dust)
- त्रीणि पदा (trīṇi padā)
- three steps (trīṇi:three | padā:steps)
- गोपाः (gōpāḥ)
- the protector
- अदाभ्यः (adābhyaḥ)
- inviolable, undeceivable
- ततः (tataḥ)
- thence, thereby
- धर्माणि धारयन् (dharmāṇi dhārayan)
- upholding the sacred laws (dharmāṇi:sacred laws | dhārayan:upholding)
- विष्णोः कर्माणि (viṣṇōḥ karmāṇi)
- the deeds of Vishnu (viṣṇōḥ:of Vishnu | karmāṇi:deeds)
- पश्यत (paśyata)
- behold
- व्रतानि पस्पशे (vratāni paspaśē)
- established the sacred vows (vratāni:sacred vows | paspaśē:established)
- इन्द्रस्य (indrasya)
- of Indra
- युज्यः सखा (yujyaḥ sakhā)
- allied companion (yujyaḥ:allied | sakhā:friend/companion)
॥ ६ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 6
तद्विष्णोः᳚ पर॒म-म्प॒दग्ं सदा॑ पश्यन्ति सू॒रयः॑ ।
दि॒वीव॒ चक्षु॒रात॑तम् ।
तद्विप्रा॑सो विप॒न्यवो॑ जागृ॒वाग्ं स॒स्समिं॑धते ।
विष्णो॒र्यत्प॑र॒म-म्प॒दम् ।
पर्या᳚प्त्या॒ अनं॑तरायाय॒ सर्व॑स्तोमो-ऽति रा॒त्र उ॑त्त॒म मह॑र्भवति सर्व॒स्याप्त्यै॒ सर्व॑स्य॒ जित्त्यै॒ सर्व॑मे॒व तेना᳚प्नोति॒ सर्वं॑ जयति ॥
tadviṣṇō̎ḥ para̠ma-mpa̠dagṃ sadā̍ paśyanti sū̠raya̍ḥ ।
di̠vīva̠ chakṣu̠rāta̍tam ।
tadviprā̍sō vipa̠nyavō̍ jāgṛ̠vāgṃ sa̠ssamiṃ̍dhatē ।
viṣṇō̠ryatpa̍ra̠ma-mpa̠dam ।
paryā̎ptyā̠ anaṃ̍tarāyāya̠ sarva̍stōmō-'ti rā̠tra u̍tta̠ma maha̍rbhavati sarva̠syāptyai̠ sarva̍sya̠ jittyai̠ sarva̍mē̠va tēnā̎pnōti̠ sarvaṃ̍ jayati ॥
The wise seers always behold that supreme abode of Vishnu, stretched out like an eye in the heavens. The illumined sages, ever wakeful and vigilant, kindle that highest station of Vishnu through their hymns of praise. By complete attainment, without any obstruction, through the Sarva-stoma performed in the Ati-ratra, one reaches the supreme greatness. For the obtaining of all, for the conquest of all, by this one attains everything and conquers all.
Word by word
- तत्-विष्णोः (tat-viṣṇōḥ)
- that of Vishnu (tat:that | viṣṇōḥ:of Vishnu)
- परमम्-पदम् (paramam-padam)
- supreme abode (paramam:supreme | padam:abode/station)
- सदा (sadā)
- always
- पश्यन्ति (paśyanti)
- they behold
- सूरयः (sūrayaḥ)
- the wise seers
- दिवि-इव (divi-iva)
- like in heaven (divi:in heaven | iva:like)
- चक्षुः (chakṣuḥ)
- eye
- आततम् (ātatam)
- stretched out, extended
- विप्रासः (viprāsaḥ)
- the illumined sages
- विपन्यवः (vipanyavaḥ)
- those who praise, hymn-singers
- जागृवान् (jāgṛvān)
- ever wakeful
- सम्-समिन्धते (sam-samiṃdhatē)
- they kindle together (sam:together | samiṃdhatē:they kindle)
- पर्याप्त्या (paryāptyā)
- by complete attainment
- अनन्तरायाय (anantarāyāya)
- without obstruction
- सर्व-स्तोमः (sarva-stōmaḥ)
- the Sarva-stoma rite (sarva:all | stōmaḥ:hymn of praise)
- अति-रात्रे (ati-rātrē)
- in the Atiratra ceremony (ati:beyond | rātrē:night)
- उत्तम-महः (uttama-mahaḥ)
- supreme greatness (uttama:highest | mahaḥ:greatness)
- भवति (bhavati)
- becomes
- सर्वस्य-आप्त्यै (sarvasya-āptyai)
- for obtaining all (sarvasya:of all | āptyai:for obtaining)
- सर्वस्य-जित्त्यै (sarvasya-jittyai)
- for conquering all (sarvasya:of all | jittyai:for conquering)
- सर्वम्-एव (sarvam-ēva)
- everything indeed (sarvam:all | ēva:indeed)
- तेन-आप्नोति (tēna-āpnōti)
- by this one attains (tēna:by this | āpnōti:attains)
- सर्वम्-जयति (sarvam-jayati)
- conquers all (sarvam:all | jayati:conquers)
॥ ७ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 7
ॐ शान्ति॒-श्शान्ति॒-श्शान्तिः॑ ॥
ōṃ śānti̠-śśānti̠-śśānti̍ḥ ॥
Om. Peace, peace, peace — may there be tranquility in the three realms: the celestial, the atmospheric, and the terrestrial. May all disturbances born of divine forces, natural calamities, and one's own self be forever stilled.
Word by word
- ॐ (ōṃ)
- the sacred syllable Om
- शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः (śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ)
- peace, peace, peace (śāntiḥ:peace) — thrice uttered for peace from adhidaivika (divine), adhibhautika (natural), and adhyātmika (self-born) afflictions
ॐ
