Vishnu Shodasa nama Stotram
(The prayer of Vishnu with 16 names)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
Oushadhe chinthayeth Vishnu,
Bhojane cha Janardhanam,
Sayane Padmanabham cha ,
Vivahe cha prajapathim. 1
I think of Vishnu while taking medicine,
I think of Janardhana while taking meals,
I think of Lord Padmanabha while sleeping,
And think of Prajapathi during my marriage.
(Vishnu-Peaceful one, Janardhana-He who troubles bad people,
Padmanbha-He who lotus flower in his belly button,
Prajapathi-The lord of all people)
Yudhe Chakradharam Devam,
Pravase cha Trivikramam,
Narayanam thanu thyage ,
Sreedharam Priya sangame. 2
I think of Chakradhara during the war,
I think of Trivikrama during travels,
I think of Narayana at the time of death,
And think of Sridhara , when I am making love.
(Chakradhara-Wielder of the wheel, Trivikrama- he who
Measured the world in three steps, Narayana-He is whom
All souls reside and Sridhara-He who carries Lakshmi)
Duswapne smara Govindam,
Sankate Madhu soodham,
Kanane narasimhancha ,
Pavake Jala sayinam. 3
Think of Govinda when you have bad dreams,
Think of Madhusoodhana when you are in trouble,
Think of Lord Narasimha in the forest,
And think of Jala sayina when in side the fire.
(Govinda-He who takes care of all beings,
Madhusoodhana-He who killed the Ogre called Madhu
Narasimha-The half man-lion form and
Jala sayina-He who sleeps on water)
Jalamadhye Varahancha ,
Parvathe Raghunandanam,
Gamane Vamanam chaiva.
Sarva karyeshu Madhavam. 4
Think of Varaha in the middle of water,
Think of Raghunandana in the top of the mountain,
Think of Vamane when you are departing,
And think of Madhava in all cases.
(Varaha-Boar , Raghunandana-the son of Raghu’s clan,
Vamana-the dwarf and Madhva- He who is he Lord of knowledge)
Shodasaithani Namani,
Pratharuthaya Ya padeth,
Sarva papa nirmuktho,
Vishnu loka maheeyathe. 5
If these sixteen names are read,
As soon as one gets up,
He would get rid of all sins,
And reach the heaven of Lord Vishnu.