108 Names of Lord Vishnu

Lord Vishnu is the Preserver Archetype of the Universe in Hinduism. Along with Brahma, the Creator, and Shiva, the Destroyer, he forms the Trimurti. His consort is Goddess Lakshmi. Vishnu is said to incarnate on earth whenever Adharma gets the upper hand, leading to anarchy and chaos. Dasavatar refers to the 10 main incarnations of Vishnu. They are Matsya, Koorma, Varaha, Vamana, Parashurama, Narasimha, Rama, Krishna, Balarama, and Kalki. Kalki, his last incarnation, will supposedly appear in Kali Yuga (the current epoch and the last phase in this cycle of existence) to destroy the world that has been overrun by the wicked and usher it into the next Satya Yuga. In comparison with other deities, Vishnu has a very calm and benign nature. He is portrayed with blue skin and four arms and adorned with fine clothes and ornaments. In his four hands, he carries Panchajanya, a conch shell, Sudarshana (a discus), a lotus flower, and a club-like mace. His heavenly abode is called Vaikuntha, and he supposedly floats in the sky above the 7 heavens. Vishnu is believed to sleep in Ksheersagar, the Milky Ocean. The serpent Anantha-Sesha is the bed he sleeps on. Narayana is the name of Vishnu’s sleeping form. His consort, Lakshmi, the deity of good fortune and prosperity, massages his feet as he rests on Anantha-Sesha. Lakshmi also incarnated herself each time Vishnu took one of his avatars. His vehicle is Garuda, an eagle. Vishnu was first mentioned in the Rig Veda, but was initially a minor deity compared to deities like Agni (Fire god) and Indra (god of lightning and thunder). He became a major deity in the post-Vedic period, along with Shiva. Many Hindu deities have several names. There can be 108 or 1000 names. The number 108 is sacred in Hinduism. Hence most deities have 108 names, collectively called Ashtothra. Another reason is the Hindu belief that there are 108 lokas or worlds in the universe. Hence, a name is assigned for each world. Here are the 108 names of Lord Vishnu and their meanings. Collectively, they are called Ashtothra Shatanamavali. People usually chant the names to connect with the deity as part of their spiritual practice and to invoke divine blessings and grace. 108 Names of Lord Vishnu 1.Vishnu – All Prevailing Lord 2.Lakshmipati – Consort of Goddess Lakshmi 3.Krishna – Dark-complexioned lord 4.Vaikuntha – Abode of Vishnu 5.Garudadhwaja – Flag with eagle symbol 6.Parabrahma –Supreme Absolute Truth 7.Jagannatha – Lord of the Universe 8.Vasudeva - Indwelling god 9.Trivikrama – Conqueror of all the 3 worlds 10.Daityantaka – Destroyer of evils 11.Madhuri – Sweetness 12.Taksharyavahana – Name of Vishnu’s carriage 13.Sanatana-Eternal lord 14.Narayana – Refuge of everyone 15.Padmanabha – The Lord who has a lotus-shaped navel 16.Hrishikesha – The Lord of all Senses 17.Sudhapradaya – One who grants auspicious things 18.Madhava – Knowledge-filled god 19.Pundarikaksha – Lotus-eyed lord 20.Sthithikarta 21.Paratpara-Greatest among the greats 22.Vanamali – One who wears a garland of forest flowers 23.Yagyaroopa 24.Chakrapanaye – Holder of discus 25.Gadadhara – One who holds a mace 26.Upendra- Brother of Indra 27.Keshava – One who has beautiful locks of hair 28.Hamsa – Swan 29.Samudramathana 30.Hari – One who removes evil 31.Govinda – One who pleases cows and nature 32.Brahmajanaka 33.Kaitabhasuramardana – One who slew the demon, Kaitabha 34.Shridhara- Holder of Sri 35.Kamajanaka – One who generates desires 36.Sheshashayini – One who reclines on the serpent Shesha 37. Chaturbhuja – Four-armed lord 38.Panchajanyadhara – One who holds the conch, Panchajanya 39.Shrimata – One who is auspicious and revered 40.Sharangapana – One who has the bow in his hand 41.Janardhana – One who helps all needy people 42.Pitambharadhara – One who wears yellow-colored garments 43.Deva – Divine 44.Suryachandravilochana 45.Matsyaroopa – Lord Matsya, a Vishnu avatar 46.Kurmatanave – Lord Koorma, a Vishnu avatar 47.Krodaroopa 48.Nrikesari – 4th incarnation of Vishnu 49.Vamana – Dwarf incarnation of Vishnu 50.Bhargava – One who is radiant 51.Rama – 7th avatar of Vishnu 52.Bali – Lord of strength 53.Kalki – 10th avatar of Vishnu 54.Hayanana – One who is horse-faced 55.Vishwambhara – One who supports the universe 56.Shishumara 57.Shrikara – One who gives Shri 58.Kapila – The great sage Kapila 59.Dhruva – The changeless 60.Dattatreya – The great teacher/Guru in the universe 61.Achyuta – Infallible lord 62.Ananta – The Endless lord 63.Mukunda – The great giver of liberation 64.Dadhivamana 65.Dhanvantari- The divine healer and avatar of Vishnu 66.Shrinivasa – The permanent abode of Sri 67.Pradyumna –Very rich 68.Purushottama – The supreme soul 69.Shrivatsa Kaustubhadhara – 70.Murarata 71.Adhokshaja – One whose vitality never flows downwards 72.Rishabha – An avatar of Vishnu and son of King Nabhi 73.Mohiniroopadhari – One who took the form of Mohini 74.Sankarshana – another name for Balarama, Krishna’s brother 75.Prithvi – Earth 76.Kshirabdhishayini – Lord who sleeps on the Milky Ocean 77.Bhutatma – Soul of all being 78.Aniruddha – One who cannot be obstructed 79.Bhaktavatsala – One who loves his devotees 80.Nara – The guide 81.Gajendravarada – One who gave a benediction to the elephant Gajendra 82.Tridhamne – One who shines in the 3 worlds 83.Bhutabhavana – Creator of all beings 84.Shwetadwipasuvastavyaya 85.Sankadimunidheyaya 86.Bhagavata – Pertaining to the lord 87.Shankarapriya – One who is the favorite of Shiva 88.Neelakanta – Blue-throated one 89.Dharakanta 90.Vedatmana –Spirit of the Vedas 91.Badarayana 92.Bhagirathi-janmabhumi-padapadma 93.Satam-prabhave 94.Swabhuve 95.Vibhava – Glory and richness 96.Ghanashyama – Lord Krishna 97.Jagatkaranaya – One who created the Universe 98.Avyaya – Without destruction 99.Buddhavatara – Buddha avatar of Vishnu 100.Shantatma 101.Damodara – One whose stomach is marked with 3 lines 102. Lila-manusha-vigraha 103.Viradroopa – Supreme Being or Gigantic form 104.Bhootabhavyabhavatprabha 105.Adideva – Lord of the lords 106.Devadeva - God of the gods 107.Prahladaparipalaka – Protector of Prahlada 108.Shrimahavishnu – The great Lord Vishnu