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Sahasranama Pooja

Lord Vishnu
Puja

The Vishnu Sahasranama is a hymn containing 1000 names of Lord Vishnu, found in the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata. It was imparted by Bhishma Pitamaha to Yudhisthira. Each name describes a quality, attribute, or manifestation of Lord Vishnu. The 'Vishnu Sahasranama Pooja' is a ritualistic worship centered around the devout recitation (Parayanam) of this sacred text. The puja typically involves invoking Lord Vishnu, offering various oblations (Upacharas), performing the Sahasranama chanting, and concluding with aarti and prayers. It is considered one of the most potent and auspicious forms of worship for Lord Vishnu, revered by devotees across various Hindu traditions.

Purpose

The primary purpose is to invoke the blessings of Lord Vishnu through the recitation of His 1000 divine names (Vishnu Sahasranama). It is performed for spiritual purification, removal of obstacles, protection from negative influences, attainment of peace, prosperity, good health, fulfillment of wishes (Sarva Abheeshta Siddhi), and spiritual liberation (Moksha). Regular recitation is believed to purify the mind, reduce negative karma, and foster deep devotion.

Key Rituals

  • Purvangam (Preliminary Rituals):**
  • Achamanam & Pranayama: Self-purification and breath control.
  • Deepa Prajwalana: Lighting the lamp as a symbol of divine light.
  • Guru Vandana: Salutation to one's spiritual teacher.
  • Ganesha Puja (Vighneswara Puja): Worship of Lord Ganesha for removal of obstacles.
  • Sankalpa: Taking a solemn vow, stating the purpose, time, and place of the puja.
  • Kalasha Sthapana: Establishing a sacred pot filled with water, herbs, and mango leaves, representing the deity.
  • Punya Vachanam: Ritual chanting for purification of the space and participants.
  • Mukhya Anga (Main Rituals):**
  • Dhyanam: Meditating upon the form of Lord Vishnu.
  • Avahanam & Asanam: Invoking the deity and offering a seat.
  • Panchopachara / Shodashopachara Puja: Offering various services (water for washing feet, hands, sipping, bathing, clothing, sacred thread, sandalwood paste, flowers (especially Tulasi), incense, lamp, food offering).
  • Vishnu Sahasranama Parayanam: The core ritual – devout recitation of the 1000 names of Lord Vishnu. This usually begins with the Dhyana Shlokas and concludes with the Phala Shruti.
  • Naivedyam: Offering consecrated food to the deity.
  • Uttarangam (Concluding Rituals):**
  • Mangala Aarti: Waving of lamps before the deity.
  • Mantra Pushpam: Offering flowers with specific Vedic chants.
  • Pradakshina: Circumambulation around the deity.
  • Namaskaram: Prostrations to the deity.
  • Kshama Prarthana: Prayer for forgiveness for any errors committed during the puja.
  • Ashirvadam: Receiving blessings from the deity.
  • Teertha Prasada Vitarana: Distribution of sacred water and consecrated food to devotees.

Common Offerings

Flowers (especially Tulasi leaves, Lotus, Marigold, Rose, Jasmine)

Fruits (Banana, Apple, Orange, Grapes)

Sweets (Payasam/Kheer, Laddus, Halwa)

Panchamrita (mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar)

Betel leaves and Betel nuts (Tamboolam)

Coconut

Incense sticks (Agarbatti)

Camphor (Karpura)

Ghee or Oil lamps (Deepam)

Sandalwood paste (Chandan)

Turmeric (Haldi) and Vermillion (Kumkum)

Cooked vegetarian food (Naivedyam) - e.g., Pongal, rice dishes, Dals, traditional curries (sattvic and prepared hygienically).

New clothing for the deity (Vastram) - typically a small silk or cotton cloth.

Associated Mantras

  • Mantra 1
    Mantra Text

    The entire text of the Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram.

    Meaning

    A hymn comprising 1000 names of Lord Vishnu, each name describing His infinite attributes, glories, and manifestations. It begins with Dhyana Shlokas (meditation verses) and concludes with Phala Shruti (verses describing the benefits of recitation).

    Benefits

    Purifies the mind, grants peace, protection from evil, health, wealth, prosperity, spiritual evolution, fulfills desires, removes obstacles, alleviates fear and sorrow, and helps in attaining moksha.

  • Mantra 2
    Mantra Text

    Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

    Meaning

    Salutations to Lord Vasudeva (Vishnu), who is the indweller of all beings and the controller of the universe.

    Benefits

    This is the powerful Dwadasakshari Mantra (12-syllable mantra) of Vishnu, widely used for peace, prosperity, devotion, and liberation. Chanting it invokes the presence and blessings of Lord Vishnu.

  • Mantra 3
    Mantra Text

    Shanta Karam Bhujaga Shayanam, Padmanabham Suresham, Vishwa Dharam Gagana Sadrisham, Megha Varnam Shubhangam. Lakshmi Kaantham Kamala Nayanam, Yogi Bhirdhyana Gamyam, Vande Vishnum Bhava Bhaya Haram, Sarva Lokaika Natham.

    Meaning

    I salute Vishnu, who is of a peaceful disposition, who reclines on a serpent (Adishesha), from whose navel springs the lotus (carrying Brahma), who is the Lord of the Devas, the support of the universe, boundless like the sky, of the color of a cloud, with beautiful limbs. He is the consort of Lakshmi, with lotus-like eyes, approachable by Yogis through meditation. I bow to Vishnu, the remover of the fear of worldly existence, the sole Lord of all worlds.

    Benefits

    This is a profound Dhyana Shloka (meditation verse) used to visualize and meditate upon the majestic and serene form of Lord Vishnu. Chanting it helps to calm the mind, focus devotion, and invite the divine presence into the puja.

Auspicious Days

  • Ekadashi:** The 11th day of both lunar fortnights (Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha) is highly sacred for Vishnu worship.
  • Thursdays (Guruvar/Brihaspativar):** Considered the day of Lord Vishnu.
  • Purnima (Full Moon Day):** Auspicious for most pujas, including Vishnu Sahasranama.
  • Vishnu-related Festivals:** Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Akshaya Tritiya, Rama Navami, Krishna Janmashtami, Karthika Purnima, etc.
  • Any auspicious Tithi (lunar day) or Nakshatra (constellation):** Based on personal astrological charts or spiritual goals.
  • When seeking specific blessings:** Can be performed on any day with devotion.

Regional Variations

While the core recitation of the Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram remains consistent across regions, variations may be observed in the preparatory (Purvangam) and concluding (Uttarangam) rituals. These can include different traditional songs (bhajans), specific types of Naivedyam (food offerings) reflecting local cuisine, inclusion of particular regional prayers, or slight differences in the sequence or number of Upacharas (offerings) according to various Sampradayas (traditions) like Sri Vaishnava, Madhva, or Smarta traditions prevalent in different parts of India.

Related Pujas

  • Satyanarayana Pooja:** A popular and widely performed Vishnu puja for prosperity, well-being, and fulfillment of desires.
  • Vishnu Sahasranama Homa:** A fire ritual where oblations are offered to the sacred fire while chanting the Vishnu Sahasranama.
  • Lakshmi Narayana Pooja/Homa:** Combined worship of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi for wealth, prosperity, and marital harmony.
  • Tulasi Pooja:** Worship of the sacred Tulasi plant, which is highly revered and dear to Lord Vishnu.
  • Narayana Hrudayam:** Recitation of another potent hymn dedicated to Lord Narayana (Vishnu).
  • Dasavatar Puja:** Worship of the ten principal incarnations of Lord Vishnu.