विष्णु सूक्तम् — Word-by-Word Meaning
विष्णु सूक्तम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
विष्णोः वीर्याणि
Vishnoh viryani
The heroic deeds / mighty powers of Vishnu
प्र वोचम्
pra vocham
I shall proclaim / declare
पार्थिवानि रजांसि
parthivani rajamsi
The earthly regions / terrestrial spaces
विममे
vimame
He measured out (with his strides)
अस्कभायत्
askabhayat
He propped up, supported, made firm
उत्तरं सधस्थं
uttaram sadhastham
The higher abode / the upper world
विचक्रमाणः
vichakramanah
Striding wide, stepping across
उरुगायः
urugayah
The widely-praised, far-striding one
अतो देवा अवन्तु नः
ato deva avantu nah
May the gods protect us from here
सप्त धामभिः
sapta dhamabhih
Through the seven realms / abodes (of the earth)
त्रेधा नि दधे पदम्
tredha ni dadhe padam
He set down his step in three ways (three strides)
त्रीणि पदा विचक्रमे
trini pada vichakrame
He strode across with three steps
गोपाः अदाभ्यः
gopah adabhyah
The unconquerable / inviolable guardian
धर्माणि धारयन्
dharmani dharayan
Upholding the cosmic laws / sacred ordinances
विष्णोः कर्माणि पश्यत
Vishnoh karmani pashyata
Behold the deeds of Vishnu
इन्द्रस्य युज्यः सखा
Indrasya yujyah sakha
The worthy, intimate friend of Indra
तत् विष्णोः परमं पदम्
tat Vishnoh paramam padam
That supreme abode of Vishnu
सूरयः
surayah
The wise / enlightened seers
दिवि इव चक्षुः आततम्
divi iva chakshuh atatam
Like an eye spread across the sky
समिन्धते
samindhate
They kindle / illumine (it within)
Complete Translation
ॐ। अब मैं विष्णु के वीर्यपूर्ण कर्मों का वर्णन करता हूँ, जिन्होंने पार्थिव लोकों को नाप दिया, जिन्होंने तीन विशाल पगों से चलते हुए उत्तर लोक को थाम रखा।
जहाँ से विष्णु ने विक्रम किया, वहाँ से देवता हमारी रक्षा करें — पृथ्वी के सात धामों के साथ।
विष्णु ने इस समस्त को नाप लिया; तीन स्थानों में उन्होंने अपना पद रखा; सब कुछ उनके चरण-रज में समाहित है।
अदभ्य (अजेय) गोपा विष्णु ने तीन पगों से विक्रम किया, और वहाँ से धर्मों (नियमों) को धारण किया।
विष्णु के कर्मों को देखो, जिनके द्वारा उन्होंने व्रतों का दर्शन किया — वे इन्द्र के योग्य सखा हैं।
विष्णु का वह परम पद, जिसे ज्ञानी सूरि (ऋषि) सदा देखते हैं, आकाश में फैले हुए नेत्र के समान है।
वही विष्णु का परम पद, जिसे जागरूक एवं स्तुतिशील विप्र (मनीषी) अपने भीतर प्रदीप्त करते हैं।
ॐ। हम नारायण को जानें, वासुदेव का ध्यान करें; वह विष्णु हमें प्रेरित करें। ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः।
Origin & History
Source: Rigveda, Mandala 1, Sukta 22 (with the Vishnu Gayatri)
Author: Rishi Medhatithi Kanva (traditional)
Period: c. 1500-1200 BCE
The verses of the Vishnu Suktam are among the oldest praises of Vishnu in the Vedas, found in the first Mandala of the Rigveda. They depict Vishnu as Urugaya, the far-strider, who with three steps measured the cosmos and set up the world's order — an image that later flowered into the Vamana-Trivikrama avatara. Compiled with the Vishnu Gayatri, the hymn became one of the five Suktams chanted in daily Vaishnava and temple worship to invoke Vishnu's protective, all-pervading presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vishnu Suktam?▼
It is a Vedic hymn to Lord Vishnu, drawn mainly from Rigveda Mandala 1, Sukta 22. It praises Vishnu as Trivikrama — the one who covered the three worlds in three strides — and is one of the Pancha Suktams used in Vishnu worship.
What do the 'three strides' of Vishnu mean?▼
The three strides (Trivikrama) symbolize Vishnu pervading the earth, the mid-region and the highest heaven. They later inspired the Vamana avatara story, in which the dwarf incarnation covers all three worlds in three steps.
What is 'Vishnoh paramam padam'?▼
It refers to Vishnu's 'supreme abode' — the highest spiritual state or realm that enlightened seers perceive 'like an eye spread across the sky'. It signifies the transcendent goal of the spiritual aspirant.
When should the Vishnu Suktam be chanted?▼
It is ideal during Vishnu abhishekam and puja, on Ekadashi (especially Vaikuntha Ekadashi), Saturdays, and during Vishnu vratas. Many devotees recite it daily as part of the Pancha Suktam.
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