Garbh Sanskar mantra
Vishnu Sahasranama for pregnancy
Vishnu Sahasranama in pregnancy — opening and selected verses in Devanagari with transliteration, meaning, and how to listen or recite gently.
Reviewed by Garbh Katha editorial team · updated
The full Sahasranama is long (over 100 verses). We show the introduction and selected verses.
In Devanagari
शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम् । प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये ॥ विश्वं विष्णुर्वषट्कारो भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः । भूतकृद्भूतभृद्भावो भूतात्मा भूतभावनः ॥ श्रीराम राम रामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे । सहस्रनाम तत्तुल्यं रामनाम वरानने ॥
Transliteration
Shuklambaradharam vishnum shashivarnam chaturbhujam, prasanna-vadanam dhyayet sarva-vighnopashantaye. Vishvam vishnur vashatkaro bhuta-bhavya-bhavat-prabhuh, bhutakrid bhutabhrid bhavo bhutatma bhutabhavanah. Shri rama rama rameti rame rame manorame, sahasranama tattulyam rama-nama varanane.
Meaning
Meditate on Vishnu, clad in white, bright as the moon, four-armed and smiling, to calm every obstacle. He is the universe itself, all-pervading, lord of past, present and future, creator and sustainer of all beings, their very self. Saying 'Rama' with love, says the closing verse, is equal to the thousand names.
The Vishnu Sahasranama ('thousand names of Vishnu') appears in the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata, taught by Bhishma to Yudhishthira. It has 107 core verses listing the names, framed by an opening dialogue, meditation verses and a closing phala-shruti. We show the opening meditation verse, the first verse of names and the well-known Rama verse; a full recitation takes about 25–30 minutes.
When and how to chant in pregnancy
Traditionally recited in the morning or on Thursdays and Ekadashi. In pregnancy, listening to a recording while resting is a gentle way to take part; recite only the selected verses if the full text feels long. Sit comfortably, keep your voice soft, and let the exhale be long. Comfort matters more than the count — stop if you feel breathless.
Vishnu Sahasranama: common questions
Is listening to Vishnu Sahasranama as good as reciting it?
Many teachers say attentive listening is a complete practice, especially when you are tired. In pregnancy, comfort matters more than completing the text.
Where does the Vishnu Sahasranama come from?
From the Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva), where Bhishma, lying on a bed of arrows, teaches the thousand names to Yudhishthira.
Can I recite only a few verses?
Yes. Many families recite the meditation verse and the 'Shri Rama Rama Rameti' verse daily, which tradition holds as equal to the thousand names.
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Meanings are general renderings for understanding. Chanting is a spiritual and relaxation practice, not medical treatment or medical advice.