“Namostvanantaya Sahasra Murtaye Sahasra Padakshi Siroru Bahave Sahasra Namne Purushaya Sasvate Sahasra Koti Yuga Dharine Namaha” is a profound and powerful mantra known as the Bhagavan Namaskara Mantra or the Ananta-Sahasranama Stuti. This mantra is a hymn of praise and salutation to the supreme being, often associated with Lord Vishnu, and it extols his infinite, eternal, and all-pervading nature. It is a beautiful expression of devotion, recognizing the divine’s boundless forms, names, and power.

Mantra Meaning Breakdown

  • Namostu: This translates to “Salutations be” or “I bow.” “Namah” means “bow” or “salutations,” and “Astu” means “be” or “let it be.” It is a gesture of reverence and submission.
  • Anantaya: This means “to the infinite one,” “to the endless one,” or “to the eternal one.” “Ananta” is an epithet of Vishnu, signifying his boundless nature and limitless existence.
  • Sahasra Murtaye: This translates to “to the one with a thousand forms” or “to the one with infinite forms.” “Sahasra” means “thousand” or “countless,” and “Murti” means “form,” “image,” or “manifestation.” It highlights the divine’s ability to manifest in innumerable forms throughout the universe.
  • Sahasra Padakshi Siroru Bahave: This is a descriptive phrase that further elaborates on the infinite forms. It translates to “to the one with countless feet, eyes, heads, thighs, and arms.” “Pada” means “feet,” “Akshi” means “eyes,” “Shira” means “heads,” “Uru” means “thighs,” and “Bahu” means “arms.” This emphasizes the omnipresence and omnipotence of the divine, being present in and through everything.
  • Sahasra Namne: This means “to the one with a thousand names” or “to the one with infinite names.” It signifies that the divine has countless names, each representing a different aspect or quality.
  • Purushaya: This translates to “to the Supreme Being,” “to the Cosmic Being,” or “to the Universal Soul.” It refers to the ultimate reality, the divine consciousness that is the source of all creation.
  • Sasvate: This means “to the eternal one,” “to the ever-existing one,” or “to the permanent one.” It emphasizes the unchanging and everlasting nature of the divine.
  • Sahasra Koti Yuga Dharine: This translates to “to the one who upholds (Dharine) thousands (Sahasra) of millions (Koti) of ages (Yuga).” It highlights the divine’s role in sustaining the universe through countless cycles of time.
  • Namaha: This means “I bow” or “Salutations.” It is a final gesture of reverence, respect, and devotion to the supreme being.

Full Meaning

The Bhagavan Namaskara Mantra “Namostvanantaya Sahasra Murtaye Sahasra Padakshi Siroru Bahave Sahasra Namne Purushaya Sasvate Sahasra Koti Yuga Dharine Namaha” is a profound hymn of praise and devotion to the supreme being. It can be translated as: “Salutations to the infinite one, to the one with countless forms, to the one with countless feet, eyes, heads, thighs, and arms. Salutations to the one with countless names, to the eternal Supreme Being, to the one who upholds thousands of millions of ages. I bow to you.”

The mantra is a beautiful expression of the devotee’s reverence for the divine’s boundless nature. It acknowledges the supreme being as infinite, eternal, all-pervading, and the sustainer of the universe through countless cycles of time. It is a prayer of complete surrender and devotion, recognizing the divine’s presence in everything and throughout all time.

Benefits

Chanting the Bhagavan Namaskara Mantra is believed to offer numerous spiritual benefits:

  • Deepens Devotion: The mantra is a powerful tool for cultivating devotion (bhakti) to the supreme being. It helps to foster a deep connection with the divine.
  • Spiritual Growth: By contemplating the infinite nature of the divine as described in the mantra, the devotee’s own consciousness expands, leading to spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of reality.
  • Liberation: The mantra is believed to help one progress on the path towards liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death.
  • Peace and Tranquility: Chanting this mantra is said to promote inner peace, tranquility, and a sense of calmness.
  • Removal of Obstacles: The mantra can help to remove obstacles on the spiritual path and in daily life.
  • Protection: The mantra is believed to offer protection from negative energies, harm, and misfortune.
  • Fulfillment of Desires: With sincere devotion, chanting this mantra can help to fulfill righteous desires that are aligned with one’s highest good.
  • Recognition of the Divine in All: The mantra helps to cultivate the understanding that the divine is present in everything and everyone, fostering a sense of unity and interconnectedness.
  • It is believed that chanting this mantra with devotion can lead to the realization of the ultimate truth and union with the divine. This highlights the mantra’s power as a tool for self-realization.

The Bhagavan Namaskara Mantra is a profound and powerful mantra for connecting with the supreme being and experiencing the boundless nature of the divine. To experience its full benefits, it is important to chant the mantra with devotion, focus, and a clear understanding of its meaning. Regular and consistent practice is key to unlocking the mantra’s transformative power. It can be chanted at any time, but it is particularly auspicious to chant it during meditation or prayer. As with any powerful mantra, it’s advisable to learn it from a knowledgeable teacher or guru to ensure correct pronunciation and understanding.