Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam (Vishnu Stuti)
Introduction:
The Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam is not a mantra in the typical sense of a short, repeated phrase, but rather a powerful and beautiful hymn or stuti (praise) dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is often recited at the beginning of prayers, ceremonies, and meditative practices to invoke the peaceful and all-pervasive presence of the preserver of the universe. The hymn is a poetic description of Vishnu's divine form and qualities, serving as a visual aid for meditation.
Sanskrit Devanagari:
शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं ।
विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम् ॥
लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यं ।
वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम् ॥
Transliteration (IAST):
Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam Padmanabham Suresham
Vishvadharam Gaganasadrisham Meghavarnam Shubhangam
Lakshmikantam Kamalanayanam Yogibhirdhyanagamyam
Vande Vishnum Bhavabhayaharam Sarvalokaikanatham
Word-by-Word Meaning:
Shantakaram (शान्ताकारं): "One who has a peaceful form." Shanta means peaceful, and akaram means form.
Bhujagashayanam (भुजगशयनं): "One who sleeps on a serpent." Bhuja means snake, and shayanam means lying down or reclining. This refers to Lord Vishnu's posture on the cosmic serpent Adi Shesha.
Padmanabham (पद्मनाभं): "One with a lotus from his navel." Padma means lotus, and nabham means navel. The lotus from Vishnu's navel is believed to be the seat of Brahma, the creator.
Suresham (सुरेशं): "Lord of the gods." Sura means god, and Isham means lord.
Vishvadharam (विश्वाधारं): "The support or foundation of the universe." Vishva means universe, and adharam means support.
Gaganasadrisham (गगनसदृशं): "Resembling the sky." Gagana means sky, and sadrisham means like or resembling. This implies his all-pervasiveness and formlessness.
Meghavarnam (मेघवर्णं): "With the color of a cloud." Megha means cloud, and varnam means color. This refers to his dark, bluish complexion.
Shubhangam (शुभाङ्गम्): "One with an auspicious body." Shubha means auspicious, and angam means body.
Lakshmikantam (लक्ष्मीकान्तं): "The husband of Lakshmi." Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and fortune, and kantam means husband.
Kamalanayanam (कमलनयनं): "Lotus-eyed." Kamala means lotus, and nayanam means eye. His eyes are compared to lotuses, symbolizing beauty, purity, and grace.
Yogibhirdhyanagamyam (योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यं): "Attainable by yogis through meditation." Yogi means a spiritual practitioner, dhyana means meditation, and gamyam means attainable.
Vande (वन्दे): "I bow down to."
Vishnum (विष्णुं): Lord Vishnu.
Bhavabhayaharam (भवभयहरं): "The remover of the fear of worldly existence." Bhava means the world or worldly existence, and bhaya means fear, while haram means remover.
Sarvalokaikanatham (सर्वलोकैकनाथम्): "The one Lord of all the worlds." Sarva means all, loka means worlds, and eka means one, while natham means lord.
Combined Meaning:
"I bow to Vishnu, who is of peaceful form, who reclines on the serpent bed, from whose navel sprouts the lotus, who is the Lord of the gods. He is the foundation of the universe, boundless like the sky, with the color of a cloud, and an auspicious body. He is the husband of Lakshmi, with lotus-like eyes, and is attainable by yogis through meditation. He is the remover of the fear of worldly existence and the one Lord of all the worlds."
Significance:
This hymn is not just a prayer; it is a profound philosophical statement and a meditative tool. Chanting it helps a devotee to:
Visualize the Divine Form: The detailed descriptions help in visualizing the serene and magnificent form of Lord Vishnu, which aids concentration during meditation.
Invoke Peace and Harmony: The very first line, "Shantakaram," sets a tone of peace and tranquility, helping to calm the mind and create a serene environment for spiritual practice.
Seek Protection and Liberation: The hymn explicitly describes Vishnu as the "remover of the fear of worldly existence," offering a powerful prayer for protection and liberation from life's challenges.
Develop Devotion: By listing the divine attributes and glories of Vishnu, the hymn deepens a devotee's reverence and love for the Lord.
