Complete · ~6 min chant
Vishnu Padadi Keshanta Stotram
विष्णुपादादिकेशान्तस्तोत्रम्
Viṣṇupādādikeśāntastotram
Twelve verses from feet to crown, opening with Vishnu's weapons, Garuda, Ananta, and Lakshmi before the divine form.
12 verses · About 6 min · Shri Vishnu
How do you want to read?
New here? Read the full text first, or go verse by verse to chant.
Viṣṇupādādikeśāntastotram is a detailed hymn attributed to Sri Adi Shankaracharya in praise of Lord Vishnu. The title means 'from feet to the end of hair': the poet meditates on each aspect of the Lord's form in ascending order.
More about this stotra
The hymn opens with salutations to Panchajanya, Sudarshana, Sarnga, Nandaka, Kaumodaki, Garuda, Ananta, and Lakshmi before turning to the dust, lines, and lotus feet of Vishnu himself. This edition presents the first twelve verses of the full stotra.
At a glance
- Deity
- Shri Vishnu
- Verses
- 12 verses
- Chant time
- About 6 minutes
- Attribution
- Traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya
- Sanskrit source
- sanskritdocuments.org · All sources
Verse overview
- 1
Panchajanya's white radiance and thunderous sound proclaim the Lord whose presence terrifies the forces of darkness. The conch's call is Om resounding through…
- 2
Sudarshana as time itself and destroyer of darkness is the Lord's power to cut through avidya. The disc worshipped by all worlds is the wheel of dharma turning…
- 3
Sarnga's twang like clouds at world's end shakes the realms of ignorance and draws wonder from the gods. The bow's sound is the vibration of Om that dissolves…
- 4
Nandaka flashing like lightning is the sword of knowledge that slays ignorance and delights the Lord who destroyed delusion. Eternal bliss flows when the…
- 5
Kaumodaki held tenderly yet fiercely is the Lord's power that crushes pride while remaining inseparable from Him. The mace that cannot bear another's gaze…
- 6
Garuda, Veda incarnate and Vishnu's banner, destroys the serpent of ignorance by the mere thought of him. The golden bird king is vahana of the Lord, showing…
- 7
Ananta bearing all worlds on the cosmic ocean is the serpent of endless consciousness on which Vishnu rests. Known through the Vedas and witness to all, He…
- 8
Lakshmi on Vishnu's chest is prosperity and grace, known through speech and earth as manifestations of the one Shakti. Her compassionate glance bestows…
- 9
Lakshmi as prakriti creates and sustains all through union with Vishnu, the Purusha who is the world's Self. Mother nature and the indwelling Lord are not two…
- 10
Dust at Vishnu's feet uproots sin because it symbolizes complete surrender, which demons of ego cannot abide. What the gods long to bear on their heads is…
- 11
The marks of wheel and fish on the Lord's feet are signs of the cosmic forms He embodies, soft as silk under Lakshmi's touch. To meditate on the feet is to…
- 12
One foot strides the sky, the other stands as earth's pillar, and from them flows the pure Ganga of liberation. The lotus-soft feet of the Lord are the two…
All verses
Open full textRelated works
Common questions
- When do people recite Vishnu Padadi Keshanta Stotram?
- Many households recite Vishnu stotras in the morning or on ekadashi and other Vaishnava observances. This edition presents 12 verses and takes about 6 minutes to chant.
- What is the opening focus of Vishnu Padadi Keshanta Stotram?
- Panchajanya's white radiance and thunderous sound proclaim the Lord whose presence terrifies the forces of darkness. The conch's call is Om resounding through the sky of consciousness, awakening the devotee from the sleep of ignorance. Read verse 1 in Study mode for the full editorial note beside the Sanskrit.
- Which hymns pair well with Vishnu Padadi Keshanta Stotram?
- On this site, related reading includes Shatpadi Stotram, and Pandurangashtakam. Open those hubs for their own Sanskrit, English meaning, and study notes.