Sri Vishnu Murthy Swamy PhotoThe Vishnu sahasranama (Sanskrit viṣṇusahasranāma, a tatpurusha compound translating literally to "the thousand names of Vishnu") is a list of 1,000 names (sahasranama) of Vishnu, one of the main forms of God in Hinduism and the personal supreme God for Vaishnavas (followers of Vishnu). It is also one of the most sacred and commonly chanted stotras in Hinduism. The Vishnu sahasranama as found in the Mahabharata is the most popular version of the 1000 names of Vishnu. Another version exists in the Padma Purana and Matsya Purana. Each name eulogizes one of His countless great attributes.
The Vishnu sahasranāma has been the subject of numerous commentaries. Adi Shankaracharya wrote a definitive commentary on the sahasranāma in the 8th century, which is the oldest and has been particularly influential for many schools of Hinduism even today. Parasara Bhattar, a follower of Ramanujacharya wrote a commentary in the 12th century, detailing the names of Vishnu from a Vishishtadvaita perspective. Madhvacharya also wrote a commentary on Vishnu sahasranama, disclosing that each name in the sahasranama has a minimum of 100 meaning. Upon being challenged by the audience during his time, Sri Madhvacharaya not only gives 100 meanings for each of the Vishnu sahasranāma but also expands on each of the meanings making it a multi-fold complexity and displays an outspoken quality to hold and explain the real and deep hidden meaning of sahasranāma. Hindu literature includes sahasranamas dedicated to Shiva, Devi, Ganesha and other popular deities.
