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Vishnu Bhujanga Prayata Stotram Meaning — Line by Line

विष्णु भुजङ्गप्रयात स्तोत्रम्

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

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

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  1. Verse 1. Chidamsham Vibhum Nirmalam Nirvikalpam
  2. Verse 2. Vishuddham Shivam Shantam-Adyanta-Shunyam
  3. Verse 3. Maha-Yoga-Pithe Paribhrajamane
  4. Verse 4. Samanoditaneka-Suryendu-Koti-
  5. Verse 5. Sunasaputam Sundara-Bhru-Lalatam
  6. Verse 6. Lasat-Kundalamrishta-Ganda-Sthalantam
  7. Verse 7. Suratnangadair-Anvitam Bahu-Dandai-
  8. Verse 8. Sva-Bhakteshu Sandarshitakaram-Evam
  9. Verse 9. Shriya Shatakumbha-Dyuti-Snigdha-Kantya
  10. Verse 10. Shariram Kalatram Sutam Bandhu-Vargam
  11. Verse 11. Jareyam Pishachiva Ha Jivato Me
  12. Verse 12. Kapha-Vyahatoshnolbana-Shvasa-Vega-
  13. Verse 13. Lapann-Achyutananta Govinda Vishno
  14. Verse 14. Bhujanga-Prayatam Pathed-Yas-Tu Bhaktya
Verse 1#

Chidamsham Vibhum Nirmalam Nirvikalpam

चिदंशं विभुं निर्मलं निर्विकल्पं निरीहं निराकारमोङ्कारगम्यम्। गुणातीतमव्यक्तमेकं तुरीयं परं ब्रह्म यं वेद तस्मै नमस्ते॥

Chidamsham Vibhum Nirmalam Nirvikalpam Niriham Nirakaram-Onkara-Gamyam Gunatitam-Avyaktam-Ekam Turiyam Param Brahma Yam Veda Tasmai Namaste

MeaningSalutations to You, whom the knowers realise as the Supreme Brahman — a portion of pure consciousness, all-pervading, stainless, changeless, desireless, formless, reached through Om; beyond the gunas, unmanifest, one, and the fourth (turiya).

Verse 2#

Vishuddham Shivam Shantam-Adyanta-Shunyam

विशुद्धं शिवं शान्तमाद्यन्तशून्यं जगज्जीवनं ज्योतिरानन्दरूपम्। अदिग्देशकालव्यवच्छेदनीयं त्रयी वक्ति यं वेद तस्मै नमस्ते॥

Vishuddham Shivam Shantam-Adyanta-Shunyam Jagaj-Jivanam Jyotir-Ananda-Rupam A-dig-desha-kala-vyavacchedaniyam Trayi Vakti Yam Veda Tasmai Namaste

MeaningSalutations to You, whom the three Vedas proclaim — utterly pure, auspicious, peaceful, without beginning or end, the life of the world, of the form of light and bliss, not bounded by direction, place or time.

Verse 3#

Maha-Yoga-Pithe Paribhrajamane

महायोगपीठे परिभ्राजमाने धरण्यादितत्त्वात्मके शक्तियुक्ते। गुणाहस्करे वह्निबिम्बार्धमध्ये समासीनमोङ्कर्णिकेऽष्टाक्षराब्जे॥

Maha-Yoga-Pithe Paribhrajamane Dharanyadi-Tattvatmake Shakti-Yukte Gunahaskare Vahni-Bimbardha-Madhye Samasinam-Onkarnike-Ashtaksharabje

MeaningUpon the great seat of yoga, shining with the elements beginning with earth and joined with Shakti, in the half-orb of fire that is the sun of the gunas, You are seated on the lotus-pericarp of Om, the eight-syllabled mantra.

Verse 4#

Samanoditaneka-Suryendu-Koti-

समानोदितानेकसूर्येन्दुकोटि- प्रभापूरतुल्यद्युतिं दुर्निरीक्षम्। शीतं चोष्णं सुवर्णावदात- प्रसन्नं सदानन्दसंवित्स्वरूपम्॥

Samanoditaneka-Suryendu-Koti- Prabha-Pura-Tulya-Dyutim Durniriksham Na Shitam Na Choshnam Suvarnavadata- Prasannam Sadananda-Samvit-Svarupam

MeaningYour radiance rivals countless suns and moons risen together, hard to gaze upon, neither cold nor hot, bright and pure as gold, ever-serene — the very form of eternal bliss-consciousness.

Verse 5#

Sunasaputam Sundara-Bhru-Lalatam

सुनासापुटं सुन्दरभ्रूललाटं किरीटोचिताकुञ्चितस्निग्धकेशम्। स्फुरत्पुण्डरीकाभिरामायताक्षं समुत्फुल्लरत्नप्रसूनावतंसम्॥

Sunasaputam Sundara-Bhru-Lalatam Kiritochitakunchita-Snigdha-Kesham Sphurat-Pundarikabhiramayataksham Samutphulla-Ratna-Prasunavatamsam

MeaningWith a shapely nose, fair brows and forehead, soft curling locks fit for the crown, eyes wide and lovely as full-blown lotuses, and ornaments of blossoming jewel-flowers;

Verse 6#

Lasat-Kundalamrishta-Ganda-Sthalantam

लसत्कुण्डलामृष्टगण्डस्थलान्तं जपारागचोराधरं चारुहासम्। अलिव्याकुलामोलिमन्दारमालं महोरःस्फुरत्कौस्तुभोदारहारम्॥

Lasat-Kundalamrishta-Ganda-Sthalantam Japa-Raga-Choradharam Charu-Hasam Ali-Vyakulamoli-Mandara-Malam Mahorah-Sphurat-Kaustubhodara-Haram

Meaningwith cheeks brushed by glittering earrings, lips that steal the red of the hibiscus, a gracious smile, a mandara-garland thronged by bees on Your crown, and the noble Kaustubha gem flashing upon Your broad chest;

Verse 7#

Suratnangadair-Anvitam Bahu-Dandai-

सुरत्नाङ्गदैरन्वितं बाहुदण्डै- श्चतुर्भिश्चलत्कङ्कणालंकृताग्रैः। उदारोदरालंकृतं पीतवस्त्रं पदद्वन्द्वनिर्धूतपद्माभिरामम्॥

Suratnangadair-Anvitam Bahu-Dandai- sh-Chaturbhish-Chalat-Kankanalankritagraih Udarodaralankritam Pita-Vastram Pada-Dvandva-Nirdhuta-Padmabhiramam

Meaningadorned with jewelled armlets on four mighty arms whose tips are graced by swaying bangles, Your noble belly girt with yellow silk, beautiful with a pair of feet that put the lotus to shame.

Verse 8#

Sva-Bhakteshu Sandarshitakaram-Evam

स्वभक्तेषु सन्दर्शिताकारमेवं सदा भावयन्संनिरुद्धेन्द्रियाश्वः। दुरापं नरो याति संसारपारं परस्मै परेभ्योऽपि तस्मै नमस्ते॥

Sva-Bhakteshu Sandarshitakaram-Evam Sada Bhavayan-Sannirudhendriyashvah Durapam Naro Yati Samsara-Param Parasmai Parebhyo-Api Tasmai Namaste

MeaningSalutations to You, supreme beyond all that is supreme — the man who ever meditates thus on the form You reveal to Your devotees, his senses reined in like horses, crosses the hard-to-cross ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 9#

Shriya Shatakumbha-Dyuti-Snigdha-Kantya

श्रिया शातकुम्भद्युतिस्निग्धकान्त्या धरण्या दूर्वादलश्यामलाङ्ग्या। कलत्रद्वयेनामुना तोषिताय त्रिलोकीगृहस्थाय विष्णो नमस्ते॥

Shriya Shatakumbha-Dyuti-Snigdha-Kantya Dharanya Cha Durva-Dala-Shyamalangya Kalatra-Dvayenamuna Toshitaya Triloki-Grihasthaya Vishno Namaste

MeaningSalutations to You, O Vishnu, householder of the three worlds, contented with these two consorts — Shri, of soft lustre glowing like gold, and Earth, dark as a blade of durva grass.

Verse 10#

Shariram Kalatram Sutam Bandhu-Vargam

शरीरं कलत्रं सुतं बन्धुवर्गं वयस्यं धनं सद्म भृत्यं भुवं च। समस्तं परित्यज्य हा कष्टमेको गमिष्यामि दुःखेन दूरं किलाहम्॥

Shariram Kalatram Sutam Bandhu-Vargam Vayasyam Dhanam Sadma Bhrityam Bhuvam Cha Samastam Parityajya Ha Kashtam-Eko Gamishyami Duhkhena Duram Kilaham

MeaningForsaking body, wife, son, kinsfolk, friends, wealth, home, servants and land — abandoning all, alas, alone and in sorrow, I must surely journey far.

Verse 11#

Jareyam Pishachiva Ha Jivato Me

जरेयं पिशाचीव हा जीवतो मे वसामत्ति रक्तं मांसं बलं च। अहो देव सीदामि दीनानुकम्पि- न्किमद्यापि हन्त त्वयोदासितव्यम्॥

Jareyam Pishachiva Ha Jivato Me Vasam-Atti Raktam Cha Mamsam Balam Cha Aho Deva Sidami Dinanukampin Kim-Adyapi Hanta Tvayodasitavyam

MeaningThis old age, like a she-demon, devours my marrow, blood, flesh and strength while I yet live. Alas, O Lord, I sink! O You who pity the wretched, even now must I be neglected by You?

Verse 12#

Kapha-Vyahatoshnolbana-Shvasa-Vega-

कफव्याहतोष्णोल्बणश्वासवेग- व्यथाविस्फुरत्सर्वमर्मास्थिबन्धाम्। विचिन्त्याहमन्त्यामसङ्ख्यामवस्थां बिभेमि प्रभो किं करोमि प्रसीद॥

Kapha-Vyahatoshnolbana-Shvasa-Vega- Vyatha-Visphurat-Sarva-Marmasthi-Bandham Vichintyaham-Antyam-Asankhyam-Avastham Bibhemi Prabho Kim Karomi Prasida

MeaningThinking of that last, numberless condition — every vital point, bone and joint racked with pain by the violent rush of breath inflamed and obstructed by phlegm — I am afraid, O Lord. What shall I do? Be gracious!

Verse 13#

Lapann-Achyutananta Govinda Vishno

लपन्नच्युतानन्त गोविन्द विष्णो मुरारे हरे नाथ नारायणेति। यथानुस्मरिष्यामि भक्त्या भवन्तं तथा मे दयाशील देव प्रसीद॥

Lapann-Achyutananta Govinda Vishno Murare Hare Natha Narayaneti Yathanusmarishyami Bhaktya Bhavantam Tatha Me Daya-Shila Deva Prasida

MeaningO Achyuta, Ananta, Govinda, Vishnu, Murari, Hari, Lord, Narayana! — as I remember You thus with devotion crying out Your names, so, O compassionate Lord, be gracious to me.

Verse 14#

Bhujanga-Prayatam Pathed-Yas-Tu Bhaktya

भुजङ्गप्रयातं पठेद्यस्तु भक्त्या समाधाय चित्ते भवन्तं मुरारे। मोहं विहायाशु युष्मत्प्रसादा- त्समाश्रित्य योगं व्रजत्यच्युतं त्वाम्॥

Bhujanga-Prayatam Pathed-Yas-Tu Bhaktya Samadhaya Chitte Bhavantam Murare Sa Moham Vihayashu Yushmat-Prasadat Samashritya Yogam Vrajaty-Achyutam Tvam

MeaningWhoever recites this Bhujangaprayata hymn with devotion, fixing You, O Murari, in his heart, swiftly casts off delusion and, by Your grace, taking refuge in yoga, attains You, the imperishable Achyuta.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

चिदंशं
Chidamsham
Of the nature of pure consciousness (chit)
विभुं
Vibhum
All-pervading, omnipresent
निर्मलं
Nirmalam
Stainless, immaculate
निर्विकल्पं
Nirvikalpam
Free of all distinctions / changeless
निराकारम्
Nirakaram
Formless
ओङ्कारगम्यम्
Onkara-Gamyam
Attainable through (the meditation of) Om
तुरीयं
Turiyam
The fourth state, beyond waking, dream and deep sleep
परं ब्रह्म
Param Brahma
The supreme Absolute
तस्मै नमस्ते
Tasmai Namaste
To that One, salutations to You
जगज्जीवनं
Jagaj-Jivanam
The life of the universe
ज्योतिरानन्दरूपम्
Jyotir-Ananda-Rupam
Of the nature of light and bliss
त्रयी वक्ति
Trayi Vakti
Whom the three Vedas declare
महायोगपीठे
Maha-Yoga-Pithe
Upon the great seat of yoga
अष्टाक्षराब्जे
Ashtaksharabje
On the lotus of the eight-syllabled (Narayana) mantra
सुवर्णावदात
Suvarnavadata
Bright and pure as gold
सदानन्दसंवित्स्वरूपम्
Sadananda-Samvit-Svarupam
Whose very form is eternal bliss-consciousness
कौस्तुभ
Kaustubha
The Kaustubha gem (worn on Vishnu's chest)
पीतवस्त्रं
Pita-Vastram
Clad in yellow silk
संसारपारं
Samsara-Param
The far shore beyond worldly existence (liberation)
त्रिलोकीगृहस्थाय
Triloki-Grihasthaya
To the householder of the three worlds
जरेयं पिशाचीव
Jareyam Pishachiva
This old age, like a she-demon
दीनानुकम्पिन्
Dinanukampin
O compassionate to the wretched!
नारायणेति
Narayaneti
'O Narayana!' (calling out the holy names)
प्रसीद
Prasida
Be gracious, be pleased with me
भुजङ्गप्रयातं
Bhujanga-Prayatam
This hymn in the Bhujangaprayata metre ('gliding serpent')
व्रजत्यच्युतं त्वाम्
Vrajaty-Achyutam Tvam
Goes to You, the imperishable Achyuta

Origin & History

Source: Composition of Adi Shankaracharya (Shankara Bhagavatpada)

Author: Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE)

Period: 8th century CE

This stotram is counted among Adi Shankaracharya's devotional hymns in the bhujangaprayata metre. Tradition relates that Shankara, the great teacher of Advaita Vedanta, composed and recited such Vishnu hymns out of deep bhakti even while expounding the formless Absolute, showing the harmony of jnana and devotion. By one account he sang a Vishnu hymn so that the attendants of the Lord came to escort his departing mother to the higher worlds — fitting the stotram's theme of surrender at life's end.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Vishnu Bhujanga Prayata Stotram?
It is a hymn of fourteen verses in praise of Lord Vishnu, composed by Adi Shankaracharya in the bhujangaprayata ('gliding serpent') metre. It combines a Vedantic description of Vishnu as the formless Supreme Brahman with a heartfelt prayer of surrender about mortality and liberation.
Why is it called 'Bhujanga Prayata'?
Bhujangaprayata is the name of the Sanskrit metre in which it is written — its rhythm is said to resemble the gliding, swaying movement of a serpent (bhujanga). Adi Shankaracharya composed several famous stotras in this metre, including those to Shiva, Subrahmanya and Devi.
What is the special significance of this stotram?
It is treasured as a prayer for a good death and for moksha. Its later verses are a moving meditation on old age, disease and the surrender of the soul, making it a beloved hymn for cultivating dispassion and devotion in the face of mortality.
Who can recite it and when?
Anyone devoted to Vishnu may recite it, especially during morning or evening worship, on Ekadashi, or at the bedside of the seriously ill. The closing verse assures that whoever recites it with devotion, holding the Lord in the heart, attains Him.

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