Vishnu Panchayudha Stotram
विष्णु पञ्चायुध स्तोत्रम्
Also known as: panchayudha stotram · vishnu panchayudha stotram · pancha ayudha stotram · sphurat sahasrara shikhati tivram · five weapons of vishnu stotra
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✦ Meaning
The Vishnu Panchayudha Stotram is a powerful protective hymn invoking the five divine weapons of Lord Vishnu — the Sudarshana discus, Panchajanya conch, Kaumodaki mace, Nandaka sword, and Sharnga bow. Each verse takes refuge in one weapon as a guardian against all enemies and fears. It is traditionally recited for protection in danger, travel, conflict, and adversity.
Origin & Story
Traditional Vaishnava stotra (Pauranic / Pancharatra tradition) · Traditional (attributed to ancient Vaishnava sages) · Ancient / classical
The Panchayudha Stotram celebrates the five eternal weapons (ayudhas) of Lord Vishnu, each of which is regarded not merely as an instrument but as a living divine power and an aspect of the Lord himself. In the Pancharatra and Pauranic traditions these weapons — the Sudarshana discus, Panchajanya conch, Kaumodaki mace, Nandaka sword and Sharnga bow — are worshipped as guardian deities. The hymn is composed as a sharanagati (surrender) where the devotee takes refuge in each weapon for total protection.
✦ As told in scripture
Devotees traditionally hold that one who recites the Panchayudha Stotram before setting out is encircled by the Lord's five weapons and cannot be harmed by enemies, weapons, fire or water; many recite it for soldiers, travelers and the sick as a shield in moments of grave danger.
Complete Text with Meaning
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स्फुरत्सहस्रारशिखातितीव्रं सुदर्शनं भास्करकोटितुल्यम्। सुरद्विषां प्राणविनाशि विष्णोः चक्रं सदाहं शरणं प्रपद्ये॥१॥
Sphurat-sahasrāra-śikhāti-tīvraṃ sudarśanaṃ bhāskara-koṭi-tulyam। sura-dviṣāṃ prāṇa-vināśi viṣṇoḥ chakraṃ sadāhaṃ śaraṇaṃ prapadye॥1॥
Meaning:I ever take refuge in the discus (Sudarshana) of Vishnu — blazing with a thousand fierce spokes, equal to ten million suns, the destroyer of the life-breath of the foes of the gods.
विष्णोर्मुखोत्थानिलपूरितस्य यस्य ध्वनिर्दानवदर्पहन्ता। तं पाञ्चजन्यं शशिकोटिशुभ्रं शङ्खं सदाहं शरणं प्रपद्ये॥२॥
Viṣṇor-mukhotthānila-pūritasya yasya dhvanir-dānava-darpa-hantā। taṃ pāñcajanyaṃ śaśi-koṭi-śubhraṃ śaṅkhaṃ sadāhaṃ śaraṇaṃ prapadye॥2॥
Meaning:I ever take refuge in the conch Panchajanya, white as ten million moons, filled with the breath from Vishnu's mouth, whose sound is the destroyer of the demons' pride.
हिरण्मयीं मेरुसमानसारां कौमोदकीं दैत्यकुलैकहन्त्रीम्। वैकुण्ठवामाग्रकराभिमृष्टां गदां सदाहं शरणं प्रपद्ये॥३॥
Hiraṇmayīṃ meru-samāna-sārāṃ kaumodakīṃ daitya-kulaika-hantrīm। vaikuṇṭha-vāmāgra-karābhimṛṣṭāṃ gadāṃ sadāhaṃ śaraṇaṃ prapadye॥3॥
Meaning:I ever take refuge in the golden mace Kaumodaki, as solid as Mount Meru, the sole slayer of the demon races, ever grasped in the left hand of the Lord of Vaikuntha.
रक्षोऽसुराणां कठिनोग्रकण्ठ- च्छेदक्षरच्छोणितदिग्धधारम्। तं नन्दकं नाम हरेः प्रदीप्तं खड्गं सदाहं शरणं प्रपद्ये॥४॥
Rakṣo'surāṇāṃ kaṭhinogra-kaṇṭha- chheda-kṣarach-choṇita-digdha-dhāram। taṃ nandakaṃ nāma hareḥ pradīptaṃ khaḍgaṃ sadāhaṃ śaraṇaṃ prapadye॥4॥
Meaning:I ever take refuge in the blazing sword Nandaka of Hari, its edge moist with the blood streaming from the hard, fierce throats of the demon hosts.
यज्ज्यानिनादश्रवणात्सुराणां चेतांसि निर्मुक्तभयानि सद्यः। भवन्ति दैत्याशनिबाणवर्षि शार्ङ्गं सदाहं शरणं प्रपद्ये॥५॥
Yaj-jyā-nināda-śravaṇāt-surāṇāṃ chetāṃsi nirmukta-bhayāni sadyaḥ। bhavanti daityāśani-bāṇa-varṣi śārṅgaṃ sadāhaṃ śaraṇaṃ prapadye॥5॥
Meaning:I ever take refuge in the bow Sharnga, whose twang at once frees the minds of the gods from fear and rains down thunderbolt-like arrows upon the demons.
इमं हरेः पञ्चमहायुधानां स्तवं पठेद्योऽनुदिनं प्रबुद्धः। वने रणे शत्रुजलाग्निमध्ये यदृच्छयापत्सु महाभयेषु॥६॥
Imaṃ hareḥ pañcha-mahāyudhānāṃ stavaṃ paṭhed-yo'nudinaṃ prabuddhaḥ। vane raṇe śatru-jalāgni-madhye yadṛchchhayāpatsu mahā-bhayeṣu॥6॥
Meaning:Whoever, awakened (early), recites daily this hymn to the five great weapons of Hari — in the forest, in battle, amidst foes, water and fire, in sudden calamities and in great terrors (is protected).
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Vishnu Panchayudha Stotram
Grants powerful protection from enemies, accidents, and unseen dangers
Traditionally recited before travel, battle, or any risky undertaking
Invokes the five eternal weapons of Vishnu as personal guardians
Removes fear and instills courage in times of great peril
Believed to shield the devotee in forest, fire, water and conflict
Daily recitation is said to ensure victory and safety in all circumstances
Cultivates surrender (sharanagati) and unwavering faith in the Lord's protection
How to Chant Vishnu Panchayudha Stotram
Rise early, bathe, and sit facing east before an image of Lord Vishnu. Recite the five verses with full faith, visualizing each weapon — the blazing Sudarshana discus, the white Panchajanya conch, the golden Kaumodaki mace, the bright Nandaka sword, and the resounding Sharnga bow — surrounding and guarding you. It is especially recited before journeys or in moments of danger, mentally taking refuge in each of the Lord's weapons.
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