RAMASHTAKAM

Ramashtakam
(The octet on Lord Rama)
By
Sage Vyasa
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

Bhaje visesha sundaram,

samastha papa khandanam,
Swabhaktha chitha ranjanam,

Sadaiva rama madvayam. 1
(I pray always that Rama,
Who is second to none,
Who is especially pretty,
Who cuts off all sins,
And who makes the mind,
Of his devotes happy. )
Jatakalapa Shobhitham,

Samastha papa nasakam,
Swabhaktha bheethi bhanjanam,

Bhajeha rama madvayam. 2
(I pray always that Rama,
Who is second to none,
Who shines with his matted hair,
Who destroys all sins,
And who makes the mind,
Of his devotees free from fear. )
Nija swaroopa bhodhakam,

krupakaram bhavapaham,
Samam shivam niranjanam,

Bhajeha rama madvayam. 3

(I pray always that Rama,
Who is second to none,
Who shows us his real self,
Who is very merciful,
Who destroys sorrows of life,
Who considers every one equal,
Who is peaceful,
And who does all that is good. )
Saha prapancha kalpitham,

hyanamaroopa vasthavam,
Nirakruthim niramayam,

Bhajeha rama madvayam. 4
(I pray always that Rama,
Who is second to none,
Who shows the world in himself,
Who is the truth without names,
Who is someone without form,
And who is away from sickness and pain.)
Nishprapancha, nirvikalpa,

nirmalam, niramayam,
Chideka roopa santhatham,

Bhajeha rama madvayam. 5
I pray always that Rama,
Who is second to none,
Who is away from the world,
Who does not see differences,
Who is crystal clear,
Who does not have diseases,
And who stands always as,
The real form of truth.
Bhavabdhipotha roopakam,

hyasesha deha kalpitham,
Gunakaram, krupakaram,

Bhajeha rama madvayam. 6
I pray always that Rama,
Who is second to none,
Who is the ship to cross the sea of life,
Who shines as all types of bodies.
Who does good ,
And who shows mercy.
Maha vakhya bodhakair virajamana vakpadai,
Parabrahma vyapakam, Bhajeha rama madvayam. 7
I pray always that Rama,
Who is second to none,
Who is so great that,
He is fit to be known through,
Great Vedic sayings,
And who is Brahmam ,
Which is spread everywhere.
Shiva pradham sukhapradham,
bhavaschidham bramapaham,
Virajamana desikam,
Bhajeha rama madvayam. 8
(I pray always that Rama,
Who is second to none,
Who grants peace,
Who gives us pleasure,
Who destroys the problems of life,
Who avoids illusion,
And who is the resplendent Guru. )
Ramashtakam padathi ya sukaram supunyam,
Vyasena bhashithamidham, srunuthe manushya,
Vidhyam sriyam vipula soukhyamanantha keerthim,
Samprapya deha vilaye labhathe cha moksham. 9
(He who reads or hears this octet on rama,
Which is easy to understand,
Which gives rise to good deeds,
Which is written by sage Vyasa,
Would get knowledge ,wealth ,
Pleasure and limitless fame,
And once he leaves his body,
He would also get salvation.)

SRI RAMA BHUJANGAM

Sri Rama Bhujangam
By
Adhi Shankara Bhagawat Pada
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
Vishudham param sachidananda roopam,
Gunadhara madhara heenam varenyam,
Mahantham vibhantham guhantham gunantham,
Sukhantham swayamdhama ramam prapadhye. 1
I salute that Rama, who does not have any support,
Who is pure at heart, who is the eternal truth,
Who is personification of the ultimate happiness,
Who is above characters, who is the greatest,
Who cannot be divided, who is end within himself,
Who is at the end of properties. Who is the ultimate pleasure,
And who is the way for himself.
Shivam nithyamekam vibhum tharakakhyam,
Sukhakaramakara soonyam sumaanyam,
Mahesam kalesam suresam paresam,
Naresam nireesam maheesam prapadhye. 2
I salute that Rama, who is the lord of this earth,
Who is peaceful, who is always alone,
Who is the way to salvation,
Who is the way to cross ocean of life,
Who is pleasure itself, who does not have any form,
Who is well respected, who is the greatest god,
Who is god of all arts, who is the lord of devas,
Who is the lord of the ultimate, who is the god of humans,
And who is one who does not have any Lord.
Yada varnayal karnamoole anthakale,
Shivo rama ramethi ramethi kasyam,
Thadekam param tharaka brahma roopam,
Bhajeham, Bhajeham, Bhajeham, Bhajeham. 3
Salutations, Salutations, Salutations, Salutations,
To that great eternal form of tharaka Brahma,
Which makes lord Shiva whisper in the ear,
At the time of death in Kasi, “Rama, rama, rama.”
Maha rathna peete shubhe kalpa moole,
Shukaseenamadhitya koti prakasam,
Sada Janaki Lakshmanopethamekam,
Sada Ramachandram Bhajeham, Bhajeham. 4
I always salute and Salute that Ramachandra,
Who sits on the bejeweled throne ,
Placed below the wish giving tree,
Sitting in the pleasant style,
With the luster of billions of suns,
Always served by Sita and Lakshmana.
Kwanadh rathna manjeera padaravindam,
Lasan mekhala charu peethambaradyam,
Maha rathna harollasath kousthubhangam,
Nabha chanjari manjari lola malam. 5
I salute that Ramachandra,
Whose lotus feet is adorned by jingling anklets,
Who adorns himself with red silk tied by golden belt,
Who wears garlands of great gems and Kousthubha,
And also flower garlands attracted by bees.
Ladad chandrika smera sona dharabham,
Samudhruth pathangendu koti prakasam,
Namad Brahma rudhradhi koteera rathna,
Sphurath kanthi neerajanaradhadhagreem. 6
I salute that Ramachandra,
Whose smile with reddish lips reminds the pretty moon,
Who has luster of thousands of moons and suns,
Whose feet is worshipped by the light of billions
Of gems on the crowns of Brahma and Rudra,
Who bend and salute at his feet.
Pura pranjali nanjaneyadhi bhakthan,
Swa chin mudhraya bhadraya bhodhayantham,
Bhajeham, bhajeham sada ramachandram,
Thwadanyam na manye na manye na manye. 7
I always salute and salute that Ramachandra,
Who is surrounded by Saluting Hanuman and others,
And who teaches eternal knowledge by its symbol in his hands,
And say, Other than you, I do not think of any one , not think and not think.
Yada madsameepam kruthantha samethya,
Prachanda prakopair bhatair bheeshayen maam,
Thada vishkaroshi thwadeeyam swaroopam,
Sada apath pranasam sakodanda banam. 8
When the god of death comes before me,
And threatens me with his powerful angry soldiers,
Then please bring before me your form armed with Kodanda bow,
Which will remove all fear of dangers from me.
Nije manase mandhire sannidehi,
Praseeda , praseedha Prabho Ramachandra,
Sa soumithrina Kaikeyi nandanena,
Swa shakthanu bhakthya cha samsevyamana. 9
Be pleased and pleased, Oh Ramachandra,
Come in my real mind and be present in that temple,
Served by Bharatha, Lakshmana and Shathrugna,
And help this devotee by your power.
Swabhakthagraganyai kapeesair mahesai,
Neekaira nekai cha Rama , Praseedha,
Namasthe namosthweesa , Rama Praseeda,
Prasadi prasadi prakasam, prabho maam. 10
Be pleased with me , Oh Ramachandra,
Who is surrounded by great devotees,
Great monkey lords, kings and chieftains,
I salute you my God, be pleased with me,
Bless me , bless me with light, Oh Lord.
Thwamevasi daivam, param may yadhekam,
Su chaithanya methath thwadanyam na manye,
Yado bhoodameyam viyadwayu thejo,
Jalopadhi kayam charam cha acharam cha. 11
You are my only God, the only eternal fact for me,
I do not acknowledge any power except you,
As all the Bhoothas like air, ether, water,
Earth and fire have only come out of you.
Nama sachidananda roopaya thasmai,
Namo deva devaya ramaya Thubhyam,
Namo Janaki jeevithesaya thubhyam,
Nama pundarikayathakshaya thubhyam. 12
Salutations to Him, who is eternal happiness,
Salutations to Him, who is the God Rama,
Salutations to Him, who is the consort of Janaki,
Salutations to Him ,who bears lotus on his belly.
Namo bhakthi yukthanurakthaya thubhyam,
Namo punya punjai kalabhyaya thubhyam,
Namo Veda vedyaya chadhyaya pumse,
Nama sundrayindira vallabhaya. 13
Salutations to Him, who loves his devotees,
Salutations to Him , who can be seen only as a result of good deeds,
Salutations to the god of Vedas and the primeval man,
Salutations to the pretty one who is the consort of Sita.
Namo viswa karthre, namo viswa harthre,
Namo viswa bhokthre, namo viswa bharthre,
Namo viswa nethre, namo viswa jethre,
Namo viswa pithre, namo viswa mathre. 14
Salutations to him who creates the universe,
Salutations to him who destroys the universe,
Salutations to him who uses the universe,
Salutations to him, who rules over the universe,
Salutations to him, who is the eye of the universe,
Salutations to him who wins over the universe,
Salutations to him, who is father of the universe,
And Salutations to him , who is the mother of the universe.
Namasthe , namasthe samastha prapancha,
Prabhoga, prayoga, pramana , pravena,
Madheeyam mansthwath pada dwandwa sevaam,
Vidhathum pravrutham sukha chaithanya sidhyai. 15
Salutations and salutations to the expert ,
In working upkeep and control of the entire world,
Oh God, my mind is engaged in service of your feet,
With an aim of getting to the real eternal truth.
Shilapi thwadamgrikshama sangirenu,
Prsadhadhi chaithanya madhatha Rama,
Namasthwath pada dwandwa seva vidhanath,
Suchathanya metheethi kim chithramathra? 16
Even an ordinary stone, getting the dust of your feet,
Oh Rama, got the active life back,
And so by saluting and serving your two feet,
If people get perennial salvation, What is so strange?
Pavithram charithram vichithram thwadheeyam,
Nara yea smaranthyanwaham ramachandra,
Bhavantham bhavaantham bharantham bhajantho,
Labhanthe kruthantham na pasyanthyatho anthe. 17
Hey Ramachandra, those men, who remember,
Your holy story which is strange,
And those who chant the names of you,
Who is the destroyer of sorrowful life,
Get at the end what they desire and do not see God of death.
Sa punya sa ganya saranyo mamaayam,
Naro Veda yo deva choodamanim thwam,
Sadhkaramekam, chidannda roopam,
Mano vaga gamyam param dhama Rama. 18
That man who knows that you are the greatest of devas,
Who has a form that is real,
Whose form is eternal happiness,
Who is beyond mind and words,
And who is Rama, the object of salvation,
Is the only one who is blessed and counted one,
And he is the one who has submitted himself to you.
Prachanda, prathapa prabhavabhi bhootha,
Prabhuthari veera, Prabho Ramachandra,
Balam they kadam varnyathe atheva balye,
Yado agandi chandeesa kodanda dandam. 19
Hey Lord Ramachandra, who is the greatest,
Who is very famous all over,
And who is the killer of his enemies,
“There is no need to describe your prowess,
For even at a very young child’s age,
You broke the great bow of Lord Shiva.”
Dasagreevamugram saputhram samithram,
Sari durgamadyastharakshoganesam,
Bhavantham vinaa Rama, Veero naro vaa,
Asuro vaa amaro vaa jayeth kastrilokhyam? 20
Are there either heroes or asuras or devas,
Capable for killing the ten headed one along with his sons,
And friends in a place surrounded by the sea,
Except you Oh Lord Rama.?
Sada rama ramethi ramamrutham they,
Sada rama mananda nishyanda kandam,
Pibantham namantham sudhantham hasantham,
Hanumantha manthar bhaje tham nithantham. 21
Always chanting “Rama”, “Rama”
Drinking always , the nectar of the name “Rama”
Which is ever pretty and a tide of real happiness,
Saluting you and having a smiling face Is Hanuman,
And I pray him always and always.
Sad Rama ramethi Ramamrutham they,
Sada ramamananda nishyantha kandam,
Piban anvaham nanvaham naiva mruthyor,
Bibhemi prasadaadasadaa thavaiva. 22
I who am always chanting “Rama”, “Rama”
Drinking daily , the nectar of the name “Rama”
Am not afraid of death,
Due to your uninterrupted grace.
Aseethasamethairakothanda bhooshai,
Soumithri vandhyair Chanda prathapair,
Alankesa kalair sugreeva mithrair,
Ramabhi deyairalam daivathair na. 23
No other God is required by us except Rama,
Who is always with Sita,
Who wears the Kodanda bow as ornament,
Who is being saluted by Lakshmana,
Who is well known as a great hero,
Who is the God of death to the king of Lanka,
And who is a friend of Sugreeva.
Aveerasanasthair chin mudrikadyair,
Bhkthanjaneyadhi Thathwa prakasair,
Aamandhara moolair mandhara malair,
Ramabhi deyairalam daivathair na. 24
No other God is required by us except Rama,
Who is sitting on the throne of heroes,
Who shows the sign of eternal truth,
Who exhibits eternal principles
To the devotee Hanuman and others,
Who sits on the roots of Mandhara tree,
And who wears the garland of mandhara flowers.
Asindhu prakopair vandhya prathapair,
Bandhu prayanair mandasmithasyair,
Danda pravasair ganda prabodhair,
Ramabhi deyairalam daivathair na. 25
No other God is required by us except Rama,
Who got very angry with the ocean,
Who is sufficiently famous as to be saluted,
Who traveled along with friends,
Who wears a pleasant smile,
Who lived in Danda forest,
And who taught the vast knowledge.
Hare Rama seethapathe ravanare,
Kharare murare asurare parethi,
Lapantham nayantham sada kalamevam,
Samalokayalokaya sesha bandho. 26
Oh lord who is the relation of the entire world,
Please cast your graceful look on me,
Who always spends all the time by chanting,
“Hey lord Hari, consort of Seetha,
Enemy of Ravana, Killer of Khara and Mura,
Killer of asuras and Hey, eternal truth.”
Namasthe sumithra suputhrabhi vandhya,
Namasthe sada kaikeyi nandanedya,
Namasthe sada vanaradheesa bhandho,
Namasthe, namasthe sada Ramachandra. 27
Salutations to him who is venerated by son of Sumithra
Salutations always to him who is respected by son of Kaikeyi,
Salutations always to him who is the friend of king of monkeys,
Salutations and salutations always to Lord Ramachandra.
Praseedha , praseedha, Prachanda prathapa,
Praseedha , praseedha, prachandari kala,
Praseedha , praseedha, prapannanukampin,
Praseedha , praseedha, prabho Ramachandra. 28
Shower your grace , shower your grace, He who has great fame,
Shower your grace , shower your grace, he who is death to his enemies,
Shower your grace , shower your grace, Who is kind to his devotees,
Shower your grace , shower your grace, My Lord Ramachandra.
Bhujangaprayatham param veda saram,
Mudha Ramachandrasya bhakthya cha nithyam,
Padan santhatham chinthayan prantharange,
Sa eva swayam ramachandra sa dhanya. 29
He who reads or always thinks about in his mind ,
This Bhujanga prayer of Lord Ramachandra
Which is the summary of Vedas , daily,
Will attain Ramachandra and always be blessed.

Ranganathashtakam

Ranganathashtakam
(Octet on Ranganatha)
By
Adhi Shankara
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(with assistance in editing the translation by Dr.Saroja Ramanujam)
Saptha prakara madhye sarasijamuklothbhasamane vimane,
Kaveri Madhya dese phanipathi sayane, sesha paryanga bhage,
Nidhramudhrabhiramam katinikatasira parswavinyastha hastham,
Padmadhathree karabhyam parichithacharanam rangarajam Bhajeham. 1
This Mangala sloka is written by Parashara Bhatta, a great Vaishnavite saint
(I salute that Lord of Ranga,
Who sleeps in the yogic pose,
On the bed of Adhisesha,
Below the tall dome**,
Which resembles a lotus bud ,
And is surrounded by seven ramparts,
And which is in between two Kaveri rivers,
With his right hand near his crown,
And his lotus like merciful left hand,
Pointing towards his feet which takes care of us all.
** Vimana )
Aanandarupe nijabodha rupe,
Brahma swaroope sruthi moorthi rupe,
Sasanka rupe ramaneeya rupe,
Sri ranga rupe ramatham mano mey. 2
(Let my mind revel in the form of Ranga
Whose form is the epitome of happiness,
Whose form is the true knowledge,
Whose form is as told in the Vedas,
And who is of the form of the comforting moon and beautiful .)
Kaveri theree karuna vilole,
Mandhara moole drutha charu khele,
Daithyanha kale akhila loka leele,
Sri Ranga leele ramatham mano mey. 3
(Let my mind revel in the form of Ranga
Who is on the banks of river Kaveri,
And playfully dispenses mercy,
Who is below the Mandhara tree,
Where he speedily and prettily plays,
And who destroys all asuras,
By his play spread over the whole world. )
Lakshmi nivase jagatham nivase,
Hrud padma vase ravi bimbha vase,
Krupa nivase Guna brunda vase,
Sri Ranga vase ramatham mano mey. 4
(Let my mind revel in Ranga,
As the one who lives in Sri Ranga,
In whom goddess Lakshmi lives,
Who is the abode of the universe
Who lives in the lotus of our heart,
Who lives in the face of the Sun.
Who is the abode of mercy,
And who lives where good conduct lives.)
Brahmadi vandye Jagadeka vandhye,
Mukunda vandhye, sura natha vandhye,
Vyasadhi vandhye, Sanakadhi vandhye,
Sri ranga vandhye ramatham mano mey. 5
(In Him let my mind revel
As the one who is saluted in Sri Ranga,
Who is venerated by gods like Brahma,
Who is venerated by the entire universe,
Who is venerated as Mukunda,
Who is venerated by lord of devas,
Who is worshipped by sages like Vyasa,
And who is venerated by sages like Sanaka. )
Brahmadhi raje, garudadhi raje,
Vaikunta raje sura raja raje,
Trilokya raje , akhila loka raje,
Sri Ranga raje ramatham mano mey. 6
(Let my mind revel in Him
Who is the king of Sri Ranga,
Who is the king of gods like Brahma,
Who is the king of the holy bird , Garuda,
Who is the king of Vaikunta,
Who is the king of the king of devas,
Who is the king of the three worlds,
And who is the king of the entire universe.)
Amogha mudhre Paripoorna nidhre,
Sri Yoga nidhre , sasamudhra nidhre,
Srithaika bhadre, jagathaika nidhre,
Sri ranga bhadre ramatham mano mey. 7
(Let my mind revel in Him
As one who protects the city of Sri Ranga,
Who has , whose sign is never failing
Who is in perfect sleep,
Who is in the Yogic sleep,
Who sleeps on the ocean,
Who takes care of goddess Lakshmi,
And in whom the whole world sleeps )
Sa chithra sayi, bhujagendra sayi,
Nandanga sayi , kamalanka sayi,
Ksheerabdhi sayi , vata pathra sayi,
Sri Ranga sayi , ramatham mano mey. 8
(Let my mind revel in Him
As the one who sleeps in the city of Sri Ranga,
Who sleeps pretty as a picture,
Who sleeps on the king of serpents,
Who sleeps on the lap of Nanda,
Who sleeps on the lap of Lakshmi,
Who sleeps on the ocean of milk,
And who sleeps on the banyan leaf. )
Idham hi rangam thyajathamihangam,
Punarnachangam yadhi changamethi,
Panou rathangam charanembhu gangam,
Yane vihangam sayane bhujangam. 9
(He who sheds his body in this ranga (ground)
Never gets embodiment again
As Ranga has chakra in His hand,
The Garuda is His vehicle,
The serpent is His bed
And his feet is wetted by river Ganga,)
Ranganathashtakam punyam prathruthaya ya padeth,
Sarvaan kamanavapnothirangi sayujyamapnuyath. 10
(Any one reading this octet on the lord of Ranga,
As soon as he gets up in the morning,
Will get his wishes fulfilled,
And in the end attain salvation.)

Narayana Suktham

Shanthi Pata
Sahana navathu.Sahanou bunakthu.
Saha veerya karavavahai.
Tejaswinaa vadheedamasthu maa vidwishavahaii.
Om shanthi, shanthi, shanthi.
(Let Brahmam protect the teacher-student duo,
And also protect us,
We would work with vigour,
Let our learning be lustrous,
Let not we quarrel among ourselves,
Let there be peace, peace and peace.
Narayana Suktham

Sahasra seersham devam viswaksham viswa sambhuvam.
Viswam narayanam devam aksharam paramam padam. 1
(I meditate on god Narayana,
Who has thousands of heads,
Who sees everywhere,
Who does good to all the world,
Who is the world,
Who is indestructible,
And who is the greatest destination. )
Viswatha paramanithyam viswam narayanam harim,
Viswamevedam purusha stadvischa mupajeevathi. 2
(I meditate on God Narayana,
Who is much greater than this world,
Who is forever,
Who is the world,
Who destroys sins and suffering,
And say, that this world is Purusha,
And is alive because he is inside it. )
Pathim viswasyatmeshwara, saswatha shivamachyutham,
Narayanam mahagneyam viswathmanam parayanam. 3
(I meditate on Narayana,
Who owns this world,
Who is the god of all souls,
Who is forever,
Who is personification of good,
Who never slips,
Who needs to be known with great effort,
Who is the soul of everything,
And who is the great destination. )
Narayana paro jyothirathma narayana para,
Narayana para brahma tatwam narayana para.
Narayana paro dyatha , dyanam Narayana para. 4
(Narayana is the great light,
Narayana is the great soul,
Narayana is the ultimate Brahmam,
Narayana is the great principle,
Narayana is the greatest among those who meditate on him,
And Narayana is the great meditation.)
Yachcha kinchid jagat sarvam drusyathe sruyathe bhi vaa,
Antharbahischa tatsarva vyapya narayana sthitha. 5
(Narayana is spread,
All over the world.
In everything that we see and hear,
And in its inside and outside. )
Anantham avyayam kavi samudrentham viswasambhuvam,
Padmakosa pratheekasa hrudhyam chapyadho mukham. 6
(I meditate on God Narayana,
Who is endless,
Who is indestructible,
Who is all knowing,
Who is inside the sea,
And who does good to all world.
I also state that the heart hangs like an inverted lotus bud.)
Adho nishtaaya vithasthyaanthe nabhyam upari thishtathi,
Jwalamalaakulam bhathi viswasya yatanam mahat. 7
(Inside the heart,
Which is Just below the collarbone,
And one hand above the belly button,
Shines .as if it is surrounded by a flame,
The greatest habitat of the universe)
Santhatha shilabhisthu lambatya kosa sannibham,
Tasyanthe sushira sookshmam tasmin sarve prathishtitham. 8
(The lotus like heart hangs,
Attached to the bones on all four sides,
And inside the heart is a very tiny hole,
And inside that hole everything exists. )
Tasya madhye mahan agni viswa archir viswatho mukha,
Sograbuk vibhajan thishtaa annahara majara kavi. 9
(Inside the center of the heart,
There is an ever-shining fire,
Which is spread in all directions,
And that fire which burns stable,
Sees everywhere,
Never gets old,
And divides and supplies the food. )
Tirya goordhwa madhasa sayee rasmayas tasya santhatha,
Santhapayathi swam deha mapada thala masthaka,
Tasya madhye vahni shika aneeryordhwa vyavasthitha. 10
(The rays of that fire is always spread,
All over from one end to other,
And throughout the length,
And from head to foot,
And the body of that fire,
Heats our body allover,
And its one thin flame,
Shines erect in the center of the heart. )
Neela thoyadha madhyastha dwidyullekheva bhaswaraa,
Neevara sooka vathanvee peetha bhaswat yanoopama. 11
(Like the sparkle of lightning,
From within a black dark cloud,
Like the sprout of a red paddy,
Thin and golden,
And as tiny as an atom,
That flame continues burning.)
Tasya shikhaya madhye paramathma vyavasthitha,
Sa brahma sa shiva sa hari sendra sokshara parama swaraat. 12
(In the center of the flame lives the all-pervasive God.
Who is Brahma,
Who is Shiva,
Who is Vishnu,
Who is Indra,
Who is perennial and ever living,
And He is the greatest emperor.)
Rhutha sathyam param brahma purusham Krishna pingalam,
Oordhwaretham viroopaksham viswa roopaya vai namo nama. 13
(Salutations and salutations,
To Him who is the beauty of everything,
To Him who is ever lasting truth,
To Him who exists as Para Brahmam in all bodies,
To Him who is the black Vishnu and reddish Shiva rolled into one,
To Him who looks after the progeny,
To Him who is three eyed,
And to Him who assumes the form of all beings of the universe. )
Narayanaya vidmahe vasudevaya deemahi,
Thanno Vishnu prachodayath. 14
(Let us try to know that Lord Narayana,
Let us try to meditate on that Vasudeva,
And let that Vishnu employ us to do good deeds. )

Vishnu Shodas Nama Sthothram

Vishnu Shodasa Nama Sthothram
(The prayer of sixteen names of Vishnu)
Translated
By
P.R.Ramachander

This is one of the prayers to be addressed to Lord Vishnu as soon as you wake up. It lists the twelve names of Lord Vishnu.

Oushade Chinthaye Vishnum,
Bhojane cha Janardhanam,
Sayane Padmanabham cha,
Vivahe cha Prajapathim.
Yuddhe Chakradharam devam,
Pravase cha Trivikramam,
Narayanam Thanu thyage,
Sreedharam priya sangame,
Duswapne smara , Govindam,
Sankate Madhu soodhanam,
Kanane Narasimham cha,
Pavake Jalasayinam,
Jalamadhye Varaham cha,
Parvathe Raghu nandanam,
Gamane Vamanam Chaiva ,
Sarva Karyeshu Madhavam.

Think him as Vishnu - while taking medicine,
As Janardhana while eating food,
As Padmanabha while in bed,
As Prajapathi at time of marriage,
As Chakra dhara while engaged in war,
As Trivikrama while on travel,
As Narayana on death bed,
As Sreedhara while meeting with the beloved,
As Govinda while tossing with bad dreams,
As Madhu sudhana while in trouble,
As Narasimha while in the forest,
As Jala Sayina while fire is ravaging,
As Varaha while struggling in water,
As Raghu nandana while lost in a mountain,
As Vamana while on the move,
And as Madhava while doing everything.

Shodasaithani Naamani,
Prathar uthaaya ya padeth,
Sarva papa vinirmuktho,
Vishnu lokam samopnuyath.

As soon as one wakes up in the morn,
If these sixteen names are read,
He would be bereft of all sins,
And reach the world of Vishnu at the end.

1-Vishnu --- He who is spread everywhere
2-Janardhana – He who punishes evil people
3-Padhmanabha – He who has a lotus in his belly button
4-Prajapathi – He who is the chief of people
5-Chakradhara- He who is armed with the holy wheel
6-Trivikrama- He who measured all the worlds in three steps
7-Narayana- He who resides in all things he creates
8-Sreedhara- He who carries Goddess of Wealth in his chest
9-Govinda- He who can be attained by Vedas
10-Madhu Soodhana-He who killed the ogre called Madhu
11-Naarasimha- He who took the shape of half lion, half human
12-Jalasayina- He who sleeps on water
13-Varaha- He who took the shape of the holy boar
14-Raghu Nandana- The darling of the clan of Raghu
15-Vaamana- He who took the shape of a dwarf
16-Madhava-He who is Lord of everything