Vishnu Shatpadi: A Sacred Hymn of Devotion and Liberation
The Vishnu Shatpadi is a revered hymn by the great philosopher and theologian Adi Shankaracharya. This beautiful stotram is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and serves as a prayer to detach from worldly desires and guide the soul towards liberation or moksha. Through its verses, devotees seek the divine grace of Vishnu to rid them of attachments, purify their hearts, and uplift their souls.
This article will explore the spiritual depth, structure, and benefits of reciting the Vishnu Shatpadi and its timeless relevance in daily life.
Historical Significance of Shatpadi Stotram
The Vishnu Shatpadi holds immense significance in Hindu spiritual literature. Composed by Adi Shankaracharya, a towering figure in Hindu philosophy, this stotram reflects his profound devotion to Lord Vishnu. Adi Shankaracharya’s goal was to simplify the complex Vedic teachings for the common people, and through the Shatpadi Stotram, he offered a direct prayer to Vishnu, asking for help in crossing the ocean of samsara (worldly existence).
Structure of the Vishnu Shatpadi
‘Shatpadi’ translates to ‘six verses, ' indicating this prayer's concise and focused nature. Each verse addresses different aspects of the devotee's relationship with Lord Vishnu, seeking divine help to overcome the ego, desires, and illusions that keep one bound to the material world.
Verse-by-Verse Breakdown
Avinayamapanaya Vishno
avinayamapanaya viṣṇō damaya manaḥ śamaya viṣayamṛgatṛṣṇām ।
bhūtadayāṃ vistāraya tāraya saṃsārasāgarataḥ ॥ 1 ॥
O Lord Vishnu! Please remove my indecency, subdue my mind, and control its interests in worldly pleasures."
This verse is a plea to Lord Vishnu to eliminate arrogance, ego, and attachment to fleeting pleasures. It reflects the devotee’s realization that true liberation is possible only when the mind is free from desires and worldly distractions.
Divyadhunimakarande
divyadhunīmakarandē parimaḻaparibhōgasachchidānandē ।
śrīpatipadāravindē bhavabhayakhēdachChidē vandē ॥ 2 ॥
"I bow to the lotus feet of Sripati, whose divine nectar leads to eternal bliss."
This verse emphasizes devotion and surrendering to Vishnu’s divine feet. The feet of Vishnu are compared to the sacred river Ganga, which purifies and blesses those who seek its refuge. This verse conveys that devotion brings true joy and relief from the cycle of life and death.
Satyapi Bhedapagame
satyapi bhēdāpagamē nātha tavā'haṃ na māmakīnastvam ।
sāmudrō hi taraṅgaḥ kvachana samudrō na tāraṅgaḥ ॥ 3 ॥
"O Lord, though the difference between you and me dissolves with realization, I belong to you, but you do not belong to me."
Here, the verse reflects the philosophical idea of advaita (non-duality). The devotee acknowledges that while they are part of the divine, the divine is beyond any individual. It’s a humble acceptance of one's position in the grand cosmic order.
Uddhritanaga Nagabhidanuja
uddhṛtanaga nagabhidanuja danujakulāmitra mitraśaśidṛṣṭē ।
dṛṣṭē bhavati prabhavati na bhavati kiṃ bhavatiraskāraḥ ॥ 4 ॥
"O Lord, the one who lifted the mountain and protected the world, please free me from worldly attachments."
This verse refers to Vishnu’s incarnation as Krishna, where he lifted Mount Govardhan to protect the people of Vrindavan. The symbolism here reflects the protective and compassionate nature of Vishnu, who is always there to help devotees overcome their difficulties.
Matsyadibhiravatara
matsyādibhiravatārairavatāravatā'vatā sadā vasudhām ।
paramēśvara paripālyō bhavatā bhavatāpabhītō'ham ॥ 5 ॥
"O the one who took various incarnations, protect me from the sufferings of this cycle of birth and rebirth."
This verse acknowledges the many avatars of Vishnu, from Matsya (the fish) to Krishna, and their role in protecting humanity. The devotee seeks divine intervention to escape the endless cycle of samsara.
Damodara Gunamandira
dāmōdara guṇamandira sundaravadanāravinda gōvinda ।
bhavajaladhimathanamandara paramaṃ daramapanaya tvaṃ mē ॥ 6 ॥
"O Damodara, the embodiment of good qualities, please remove my great fears and guide me through the ocean of samsara."
In this final verse, the devotee calls Vishnu Damodara, the one tied with a rope around his waist, symbolizing the god’s playful and accessible nature. The devotee prays for release from fear and guidance through life’s challenges.
Lord Vishnu's compassionate grace
nārāyaṇa karuṇāmaya śaraṇaṃ karavāṇi tāvakau charaṇau ।
iti ṣaṭpadī madīyē vadanasarōjē sadā vasatu ॥7II
Narayana Karunamaya refers to Lord Vishnu, the supreme being who resides in the cosmic waters. "Karunamaya" means "compassionate," emphasizing Vishnu's merciful and loving nature, always ready to protect and guide his devotees.
Sharanam Karavani Tavakau Charanau: This line expresses the devotee's heartfelt plea to take refuge at Lord Vishnu’s lotus-like feet. In many Hindu texts, the feet of a deity symbolize shelter, protection, and liberation. The devotee seeks divine grace to overcome worldly suffering by surrendering to Vishnu's feet.
Iti Shatpadi Madīye Vadanasarōje Sadā Vasatu: Here, the devotee asks that the Shatpadi Stotram (the hymn composed of six verses) permanently reside in their “Vadanasarojam,” which translates to their lotus-like mouth or face. This metaphor of a lotus suggests purity and devotion. It indicates that the devotee wishes to constantly recite this prayer, allowing it to purify their being like a honey bee continually sipping nectar from a lotus flower.
In summary, this verse is a humble request for shelter under Lord Vishnu's compassionate grace and for the constant remembrance of his glory through the recitation of the Shatpadi Stotram. The metaphor of the six-legged honey bee represents the six verses of the hymn, which the devotee wants to be always present in their speech, much like the bee that continually returns to the lotus flower for nectar.
The Vishnu Shatpadi, composed by the renowned philosopher Adi Shankaracharya, is a six-versed hymn dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This stotram is a heartfelt plea for divine intervention to remove worldly attachments, purify the mind, and lead the devotee towards spiritual liberation, or moksha. Each verse reflects profound spiritual insights, from seeking humility to realizing oneness with the divine. By praising Lord Vishnu’s incarnations and compassion, the Shatpadi serves as a tool for self-realization and fostering deeper devotion. Reciting this stotram regularly offers peace, clarity, and a pathway to transcendence.
Benefits of Reciting the Vishnu Shatpadi
The Vishnu Shatpadi is not just a prayer but a spiritual tool that helps in the journey of self-realization. Regular recitation brings several benefits:
Increased Devotion: Reciting this stotram deepens one’s love and surrender to Lord Vishnu.
Self-Realization: It helps the devotee understand the purpose of life beyond materialistic desires.
Peace of Mind: Chanting the stotram calms the mind and reduces stress by focusing on the divine.
Path to Moksha guides the soul towards ultimate liberation by detaching from worldly attachments.
How to Incorporate the Shatpadi in Daily Life
Reciting the Vishnu Shatpadi daily, especially during morning or evening prayers, can significantly enhance one’s spiritual practice. It can also be integrated into bhajans or devotional singing, enriching the experience.
The Vishnu Shatpadi is a powerful stotram that praises Lord Vishnu and guides devotees seeking liberation from the material world. Adi Shankaracharya's verses beautifully encapsulate the essence of devotion, surrender, and spiritual awakening. Incorporating this sacred hymn into daily practice can help deepen one’s connection with the divine and lead to a more peaceful, centred life.
FAQs
1. What is Vishnu Shatpadi's main message? The Vishnu Shatpadi seeks divine grace to remove ego, worldly attachments, and desires, guiding the devotee towards liberation or moksha.
2. Who composed the Vishnu Shatpadi? The Vishnu Shatpadi was composed by the great philosopher and saint Adi Shankaracharya.
3. What are the benefits of chanting the Vishnu Shatpadi? Chanting the Vishnu Shatpadi enhances devotion, brings peace of mind, and helps in self-realization by removing worldly desires and attachments.
4. How many verses are there in the Vishnu Shatpadi? As the name suggests, the Vishnu Shatpadi consists of six verses.
5. Can the Vishnu Shatpadi be recited daily? It can be recited daily, preferably during morning or evening prayers, to enhance spiritual practice and devotion.
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