What is the "Vishnu Shodasha Naam" and why should it be chanted?
The Vishnu Shodasha Nama comprises 16 names of Lord Mahavishnu who established Dharma in Chaturyuga.
This mantra is beneficial for the protection of human life from birth to death, from the bondage of the life cycle, and social, physical, and family disasters.
Vishnu Shodash Naam:-
Auṣadhe cintayet viṣṇuṃ bhojane ca janārdanam
While taking medicine, remember Shri Vishnu (the one who sustains, nourishes and nurtures the universe), while eating food, remember Janardan (Shri Krishna who removes the sufferings of people).
śayane padmanābhaṃ ca vivāhe ca prajāpatim
While sleeping, remember Padmanabha (who has a lotus in his navel), and at the time of marriage, remember Prajapati (the creator of the universe).
yuddhe cakradharaṃ devaṃ pravāse ca trivikramam
During a war, remember the Chakradhar (chakra is a weapon and the Chakradhar incarnation holds it), and during a journey, remember Trivikrama (one who crossed the whole universe in three steps).
yuddhe cakradharaṃ devaṃ pravāse ca trivikramam
At the time of death, remember Narayana; at the time of the union of husband and wife, remember Sridhar (husband of Goddess Lakshmi).
duḥ svapne smara govindaṃ saṅkaṭe madhusūdanam
If you have bad dreams, remember Govind (the head of the cowshed or cows – Sri Krishna), in times of trouble, remember Madhusudan (the one who killed the demon named Madhu – Sri Krishna).
kānane nārasiṅhaṃ ca pāvake jalaśāyinam
In times of danger in the forest, remember Narasimha (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, whose body was half human and half lion); in times of danger from fire, remember jalaśāyinam (who lives in the ocean).
jalamadhye vārāhaṃ ca gamane vāmanaṃ caiva
If you fear drowning, remember Varaha (the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu), and while crossing the river, remember Vamana (the dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu).
parvate raghunandanaṃ sakala kāryeśu mādhavam
In times of crisis on the mountain, remember Raghunandan (Shri Ram incarnation of Sri Vishnu), while doing any work remember Madhav (sweet like honey).
