Vasudevashrayo Martyo (Vishnu Sahasranama Phalashruti)
Vasudevashrayo Martyo (Vishnu Sahasranama Phalashruti) in English · English
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✦ Meaning
These verses form the heart of the Vishnu Sahasranama phalashruti, declaring the supreme reward of refuge in Vasudeva. The mortal who surrenders to Vasudeva, purified of all sin, attains the eternal Brahman, and no fear of birth, death, age or disease ever touches His devotees. The reciter is also blessed with joy, patience, prosperity and freedom from anger, greed and jealousy.
Origin & Story
Vishnu Sahasranama phalashruti, Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata · Sage Vyasa (revealed through Bhishma) · Ancient (Mahabharata, Itihasa period)
After Bhishma taught Yudhishthira the thousand names of Vishnu on the field of Kurukshetra, he proclaimed their fruits. Among these declarations stands this assurance: that the mortal who takes refuge in Vasudeva crosses all sorrow and reaches the eternal Brahman, and that no fear of the cycle of birth and death ever touches Vasudeva's devotees.
✦ As told in scripture
The Sri Vaishnava tradition cherishes 'Vasudevashrayo martyo' as proof that even a single sincere act of surrender to Vasudeva burns away the sins of many lifetimes; saints such as Bhishma himself are said to have attained the highest state by holding fast to this refuge at the moment of death.
Complete Text with Meaning
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Durgāṇyatitaratyāśu puruṣaḥ puruṣottamam | Stuvannāmasahasreṇa nityaṁ bhaktisamanvitaḥ ||
Meaning:The person who, full of devotion, daily praises the Supreme Purushottama with these thousand names, swiftly crosses over all difficulties.
Vāsudevāśrayo martyo vāsudevaparāyaṇaḥ | Sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā yāti brahma sanātanam ||
Meaning:The mortal who takes refuge in Vasudeva and is wholly devoted to Him, his soul purified of all sins, attains the eternal Brahman.
Na vāsudevabhaktānāmaśubhaṁ vidyate kvacit | Janmamṛtyujarāvyādhibhayaṁ naivopajāyate ||
Meaning:For the devotees of Vasudeva no misfortune ever exists anywhere; the fear of birth, death, old age and disease never arises in them.
Imaṁ stavamadhīyānaḥ śraddhābhaktisamanvitaḥ | Yujyetātmasukhakṣāntiśrīdhṛtismṛtikīrtibhiḥ ||
Meaning:One who recites this hymn with faith and devotion becomes endowed with inner joy, patience, prosperity, fortitude, clear memory and good fame.
Na krodho na ca mātsaryaṁ na lobho nāśubhā matiḥ | Bhavanti kṛtapuṇyānāṁ bhaktānāṁ puruṣottame ||
Meaning:Neither anger, nor jealousy, nor greed, nor any impure thought arise in the meritorious devotees who are devoted to the Supreme Person.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Vasudevashrayo Martyo (Vishnu Sahasranama Phalashruti)
Swiftly carries the devotee across all difficulties and adversities
Grants the eternal Brahman (moksha) to one who takes refuge in Vasudeva
Removes the fear of birth, death, old age and disease for the devotee
Bestows inner joy, patience, prosperity, fortitude, memory and fame
Destroys anger, jealousy, greed and impure thoughts in the heart
Affirms total surrender (sharanagati) to Vasudeva as the highest refuge
How to Chant Vasudevashrayo Martyo (Vishnu Sahasranama Phalashruti)
These verses are chanted as part of the phalashruti at the end of the thousand names of Vishnu. After completing the Sahasranama with a calm and pure mind, recite these slokas to affirm refuge in Vasudeva and to invoke their fruit. The verse 'Vasudevashrayo martyo' is especially treasured by Sri Vaishnavas as a declaration of saving surrender, and may be reflected upon on its own.
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