Mantra.Tips

Vishnu Panchayudha Stotram Meaning — Line by Line

विष्णु पञ्चायुध स्तोत्रम्

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Vishnu Panchayudha Stotram with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

Jump to a verse ▾
  1. Verse 1. Sphurat-sahasrāra-śikhāti-tīvraṃ
  2. Verse 2. Viṣṇor-mukhotthānila-pūritasya
  3. Verse 3. Hiraṇmayīṃ meru-samāna-sārāṃ
  4. Verse 4. Rakṣo'surāṇāṃ kaṭhinogra-kaṇṭha-
  5. Verse 5. Yaj-jyā-nināda-śravaṇāt-surāṇāṃ
  6. Verse 6. Imaṃ hareḥ pañcha-mahāyudhānāṃ
Verse 1#

Sphurat-sahasrāra-śikhāti-tīvraṃ

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॥

MeaningI 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.

Verse 2#

Viṣṇor-mukhotthānila-pūritasya

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॥

MeaningI 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.

Verse 3#

Hiraṇmayīṃ meru-samāna-sārāṃ

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॥

MeaningI 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.

Verse 4#

Rakṣo'surāṇāṃ kaṭhinogra-kaṇṭha-

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॥

MeaningI 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.

Verse 5#

Yaj-jyā-nināda-śravaṇāt-surāṇāṃ

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॥

MeaningI 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.

Verse 6#

Imaṃ hareḥ pañcha-mahāyudhānāṃ

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॥

MeaningWhoever, 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 Breakdown

स्फुरत्सहस्रारशिखा
sphurat-sahasrāra-śikhā
with a thousand blazing spokes/flaming points
अतितीव्रं
ati-tīvraṃ
exceedingly fierce, intensely sharp
सुदर्शनं
sudarśanaṃ
the Sudarshana (discus of Vishnu)
भास्करकोटितुल्यम्
bhāskara-koṭi-tulyam
equal to ten million suns in brilliance
सुरद्विषां प्राणविनाशि
sura-dviṣāṃ prāṇa-vināśi
destroyer of the life of the enemies of the gods
चक्रं
chakraṃ
the discus
सदाहं शरणं प्रपद्ये
sadāhaṃ śaraṇaṃ prapadye
I always take refuge (in it)
पाञ्चजन्यं
pāñcajanyaṃ
the Panchajanya (conch of Vishnu)
दानवदर्पहन्ता
dānava-darpa-hantā
destroyer of the pride of demons
शशिकोटिशुभ्रं
śaśi-koṭi-śubhraṃ
white/radiant as ten million moons
शङ्खं
śaṅkhaṃ
the conch
हिरण्मयीं
hiraṇmayīṃ
golden
कौमोदकीं
kaumodakīṃ
the Kaumodaki (mace of Vishnu)
दैत्यकुलैकहन्त्रीम्
daitya-kulaika-hantrīm
sole destroyer of the race of demons
गदां
gadāṃ
the mace
नन्दकं
nandakaṃ
the Nandaka (sword of Vishnu)
खड्गं
khaḍgaṃ
the sword
शार्ङ्गं
śārṅgaṃ
the Sharnga (bow of Vishnu)
वने रणे शत्रुजलाग्निमध्ये
vane raṇe śatru-jalāgni-madhye
in the forest, in battle, amidst enemies, water and fire
महाभयेषु
mahā-bhayeṣu
in times of great danger and terror

Origin & History

Source: Traditional Vaishnava stotra (Pauranic / Pancharatra tradition)

Author: Traditional (attributed to ancient Vaishnava sages)

Period: 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the five weapons (Panchayudha) of Vishnu?
They are the Sudarshana Chakra (discus), Panchajanya (conch), Kaumodaki (mace/gada), Nandaka (sword/khadga), and Sharnga (bow/dhanus). Together they are called the Pancha-ayudha, the five great weapons that Lord Vishnu wields to protect dharma and destroy evil.
Why is the Panchayudha Stotram chanted?
It is chanted primarily for protection. Each verse surrenders to one of Vishnu's weapons as a guardian, so the hymn is recited before travel, in danger, during conflict, or whenever one seeks divine shelter from fear and harm.
When is the best time to recite this stotra?
Traditionally it is recited early in the morning ('prabuddhah', upon waking) after bathing, and also at any moment of danger or before a risky journey or task. The closing verse specifically promises safety in forest, battle, water, fire and sudden calamities.
Is this related to the Sudarshana Ashtakam?
They are related in spirit. The Sudarshana Ashtakam praises the discus alone, while the Panchayudha Stotram honors all five of Vishnu's weapons. Both are recited for protection and victory over negativity.

Ready to start chanting?

See Benefits & How to Chant →