शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं Meaning — Line by Line

शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं

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Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं with its Hindi meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

Verse 1#

शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम् ।

Shantakaram bhujagashayanam padmanabham suresham Vishvadharam gaganasadrisham meghavarnam shubhangam

MeaningOf serene form, reclining upon the serpent (Shesha), with a lotus springing from his navel, the Lord of the gods; the support of the universe, boundless as the sky, cloud-hued, with all-auspicious limbs;

Verse 2#

लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यं वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम् ॥

Lakshmikantam kamalanayanam yogibhirdhyanagamyam Vande vishnum bhavabhayaharam sarvalokaikanatham

Meaningthe beloved of Lakshmi, lotus-eyed, attained by yogis in meditation — I bow to Vishnu, remover of the fear of worldly existence, the one Lord of all the worlds.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

शान्ताकारम्

Shantakaram

Of a peaceful, serene form

भुजगशयनम्

Bhujagashayanam

Reclining on the serpent Shesha (Adishesha), upon the ocean of milk

पद्मनाभम्

Padmanabham

From whose navel (nabhi) springs the lotus (padma) on which Brahma is born

लक्ष्मीकान्तम्

Lakshmikantam

The beloved (consort) of Goddess Lakshmi

भवभयहरम्

Bhavabhayaharam

Remover of the fear (bhaya) of worldly existence (bhava)

Origin & History

Source: Traditional Vishnu Dhyana Shloka

Author: Traditional

Period: Classical

This single luminous verse is the classical dhyana (meditation) shloka of Lord Vishnu, recited across India before his worship and before the Vishnu Sahasranama. In one sweep it beholds Narayana asleep on the serpent Shesha upon the milk-ocean — serene, lotus-naveled, cloud-blue and lotus-eyed — the support of all the worlds and the remover of every fear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam?▼

It is the most famous dhyana shloka (meditation verse) of Lord Vishnu, describing him of serene form reclining on the serpent Shesha, with a lotus from his navel, cloud-hued and lotus-eyed. It is traditionally recited to visualise the Lord before worship and before the Vishnu Sahasranama.

When is the Shantakaram shloka recited?▼

It is recited daily and especially on Thursdays (Vishnu's day) and Ekadashi, and as the opening dhyana before chanting the Vishnu Sahasranama, the Bhagavad Gita, or performing Vishnu / Satyanarayan puja.

What does Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam mean?▼

It means: 'I bow to Vishnu — of peaceful form, reclining on the serpent, lotus-naveled, Lord of the gods, support of the universe, sky-vast, cloud-hued and auspicious of limb, beloved of Lakshmi, lotus-eyed, reached by yogis in meditation, the remover of worldly fear and the one Lord of all the worlds.'

Why is Vishnu shown reclining on a serpent?▼

Vishnu reclines on Adishesha, the thousand-hooded serpent floating on the ocean of milk (Kshira Sagara), symbolising the Lord resting in serene cosmic consciousness between the cycles of creation, with a lotus rising from his navel from which Brahma creates the worlds.

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