🪷 Vishnu Ashtottaram

Vishnu Ashtottara Shatanamavali — the 108 names of Vishnu.

Each is chanted as Om ... Namaha. Every name is a doorway into one aspect of the Divine — the all-pervading, the infallible, the one who rests on infinity.

Traditionally chanted while offering a flower or tulsi leaf at each name.

తెలుగులో చదవండి

📖 Verses

What It Is Selected Names How to Chant

The 108 Names of Vishnu

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Vishnu Ashtottara Shatanamavali — the 108 names of Vishnu.
Meaning: Each name is chanted with the prefix Om and the suffix Namaha: Om Vishnave Namaha — 'I bow to Vishnu.'
Note: Why 108? The number recurs throughout Indian tradition — 108 beads on a japa mala, 108 Upanishads, 108 Divya Desams.

One traditional explanation: the sun's diameter is roughly 108 times the earth's, and the distance from earth to sun is roughly 108 solar diameters. The number is said to link the human to the cosmic.

Some of the Names & Their Meaning

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Om Vishnave Namaha
Meaning: The All-Pervading One. The root vish means 'to pervade'. Vishnu is not in the universe — he pervades it.
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Om Naaraayanaaya Namaha
Meaning: He who rests on the waters — nara (water) + ayana (resting place). Also read as: the one who dwells in all beings.
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Om Govindaaya Namaha
Meaning: Protector of cows — and of the earth. Go means both 'cow' and 'earth'.
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Om Madhusoodanaaya Namaha
Meaning: Slayer of the demon Madhu.
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Om Achyutaaya Namaha
Meaning: The Infallible One — he who never falls.

One of the most beloved names.
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Om Ananta-shayanaaya Namaha
Meaning: He who reclines upon Ananta (the endless serpent Shesha) — resting on infinity itself, upon the ocean of milk.
Note: An extraordinary image: the sustainer of the universe is not straining. He is lying down, perfectly at rest.

Practice

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How the Ashtottaram is chanted
Meaning: Each of the 108 names is recited in turn — traditionally while offering a flower, a tulsi leaf, or a grain of rice at each name (archana).
Note: When: Especially on Ekadashi, on Saturdays, and during Vishnu-related festivals.

Tulsi is essential in Vishnu worship — and tulsi is never offered to Shiva (bilva leaves are used there instead).

You need not chant all 108. Even a few names, said with attention, are enough.
📚 Source: Vishnu Ashtottara Shatanamavali (Sanskrit). Transliteration and translation in our own words.