Vishnu Stuti: A Prayer for Knowledge and Grace

॥ Doha॥

Vishnu, listen to the prayer of your servant with attention. Let me describe some of your glories, grant me the knowledge to do so.

॥ Chaupai ॥

Salutations to Lord Vishnu, the destroyer of evil. The dispeller of suffering, the abode of all.

Your power is mighty in the world. Your light is spreading in the three worlds.

Beautiful form, enchanting face. Simple nature, captivating idol.

The yellow garment on your body looks very beautiful. The Vaijayanti garland captivates the mind.

The conch, chakra, and mace adorn your hands. Seeing you, the armies of demons and devils flee.

Truth, dharma, pride, and greed do not resonate with you. Lust, anger, pride, and greed do not suit you.

You delight the hearts of saints, devotees, and virtuous people. You destroy the armies of demons and wicked people.

You create happiness and destroy all suffering. You remove faults and make people virtuous.

You cut off sins and ferry across the ocean of existence. You destroy suffering and save your devotees.

You assume many forms, O Lord. Only for the sake of devotion.

When the earth, in the form of a cow, called out to you. Then you assumed the form of Rama.

You relieved the burden and killed the armies of demons. You destroyed Ravana and others.

You created the boar form. And killed Hiranyaksha.

You assumed the form of a fish and created the ocean. And brought out the fourteen gems.

When the gods and demons fought. You showed your Mohini form.

You gave the gods nectar to drink. And entertained the demons with your beauty.

Assuming the form of a tortoise, you churned the ocean. And immediately lifted the Mandarachal mountain.

You freed Shankar from the trap. And showed Bhasmasura his true form.

When the demons drowned the Vedas. You made arrangements to find them.

Becoming Mohini, you made the wicked dance. And had him burn himself with his own hand.

The demon Jalandhar was very powerful. He fought with Shankar.

Shiva made every effort to win. The wicked one deceived Sati.

Shiva's queen remembered you. And told you the whole story of her trouble.

Then you became a wise sage. And made Vrinda forget everything.

Seeing the three demonic devils. Vrinda came and clung to you.

By touching you, she considered her dharma violated. And Shiva killed the demon in the heart.

You saved Dhruva and Prahlad. And killed Hiranyakashipu and other wicked ones.

You saved the courtesan Ganika and Ajamila. And ferried many devotees across the ocean of existence.

Remove all our sorrows. Have mercy, O Hari, the creator.

I want to see your own form. O friend of the poor, benefactor of devotees.

Your servant desires your darshan. Have mercy, O Madhusudana.

I do not know the proper way to chant and worship. May my sacrifice and praise be approved.

I do not know about virtue, compassion, contentment, good qualities. I do not know about vows and unique knowledge.

How should I worship you? Seeing my bad intellect, I feel terrible sorrow.

How should I offer my respects and remembrance? How should I offer myself?

Gods and sages are always serving you. They remain happy and attain the supreme state.

You are always helping the poor and afflicted. Knowing them as your own, accept them.

Destroy sins, faults, and sorrows. Free me from the bonds of existence.

Give happiness and prosperity, create happiness. Make me a servant of your feet.

The Vedas always recite this prayer. The person who reads or listens to it attains happiness.