Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam
शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं
Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam is one of the best-known meditation verses (dhyana shlokas) on Lord Vishnu, a single Sanskrit shloka recited before the Vishnu Sahasranama and in daily puja. It pictures Vishnu resting peacefully on the serpent Shesha and bows to him as the one who removes the fear of worldly existence. Many families say it every morning, and especially on Thursdays and Ekadashi.
- 1 verse
- 0.5 min
- Traditional dhyana shloka
- Best on Thursday
Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam Padmanabham Sureshamशान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं
Vishvadharam Gaganasadrisham Meghavarnam Shubhangamविश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम्।
Lakshmikantam Kamalanayanam Yogibhir Dhyanagamyamलक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यं
Vande Vishnum Bhavabhayaharam Sarvalokaika Nathamवन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम्॥
Peaceful in form, reclining on the serpent Shesha, a lotus springing from his navel, lord of the gods; the support of the universe, vast as the sky, dark as a rain cloud, auspicious in every limb; beloved of Lakshmi, lotus-eyed, reached by yogis in meditation. I bow to that Vishnu, who removes the fear of worldly existence, the one Lord of all the worlds.
- Shantakaramwhose form is peace itself
- Bhujagashayanamwho reclines on the serpent (Shesha)
- Padmanabhamfrom whose navel a lotus springs
- Sureshamlord of the gods
- Vishvadharamsupport of the universe
- Gaganasadrishamvast and all-pervading like the sky
- Meghavarnamdark-hued like a rain cloud
- Shubhangamwhose every limb is auspicious
- Lakshmikantambeloved of Lakshmi
- Kamalanayanamlotus-eyed
- Yogibhirby yogis
- Dhyanagamyamreached through meditation
- VandeI bow to
- VishnumVishnu, the all-pervading
- Bhavabhayaharamwho removes the fear of worldly existence
- Sarvalokaika Nathamthe one Lord of all the worlds
Complete
You have reached the end of Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam.
Make it a weekly practice
Adds a weekly event to your phone’s calendar. No sign-up, nothing leaves your device.
Questions
When is Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam recited?
At the start of Vishnu puja, before the Vishnu Sahasranama, and as a morning prayer. Thursdays, Ekadashi and Satyanarayan puja are special occasions for Vishnu. Because it is short and easy to picture, many families abroad teach it to children as their first Sanskrit shloka.
Is Shantakaram part of the Vishnu Sahasranama?
It comes just before the names. Most printed editions include it among the opening dhyana verses, and people also chant it on its own at any time of day.
Why are there two versions, "Vishvadharam" and "Vishvakaram"?
Both readings are traditional. "Vishvadharam" (the support of the universe) is the one most people recite in North India and abroad. "Vishvakaram" (whose form is the universe) is common in some South Indian editions. The same goes for "yogibhir" and "yogihrid": both speak of yogis meditating on Vishnu. Recite whichever your family uses.
Source and review
Source: Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram, dhyana shlokas (as given on sanskritdocuments.org "vsahasranew" and stotranidhi.com); cross-checked with karmkandbyanandpathak.com
Two readings are current. We follow the most widely recited one: "विश्वाधारं" and "योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यं" (sanskritdocuments.org). stotranidhi.com and some South Indian editions read "विश्वाकारं" (whose form is the universe) and "योगिहृद्ध्यानगम्यं" (reached in the meditation of yogis' hearts). Some editions prefix "ॐ".
We checked the text line by line against the sources named here. The meanings are an AI-assisted draft. A scholar has not reviewed them yet.
The meanings are our own first draft. A scholar has not reviewed them yet. If you spot a mistake, please tell us.