Lord Vishnu Prayer – Self Reflection on Padmanaabha

शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं

विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्ण शुभाङ्गम् ।

लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यम्

वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम् ॥

I offer my obeisances to Shree Hari who is the refuge and ultimate destination of all. 

I was 15 years old when, I  first came across this shloka ( verse) while watching a series called Ramayana by Ramananda Sagar. The visual of the shloka was vivd and detailed with Lord Vishnu seating on Sheshanaaga and all the sages, and gods visiting him for help. I loved the video totally but somewhere in my mind, I always thought there is more than what meets the eye. In nutshell, although I do believe in Supreme with form, I was looking for an esoteric meaning. The question, lurking in my mind was how can I meet Lord Vishnu like these sages of yore?

Last Monday, one of my friends shared this shloka in their WhatsApp status, and I happen to see this verse just after completing my daily sadhana. The moment I looked at the verse, a few reflective words also started floating on the surface of my conscious space. I noted them down as they came to me and sharing with you here:

O ‘ Lord! The one who is situated within the ocean of calmness and bliss, the one who is hidden as potential energy( as if lying in the coiled serpent), the one who can trigger the same potential energy into the creative energy( as a flower blooming from his navel), you are the one who is the lord of all that appears as good and auspicious.

O’ Lord! You are the one who supports my entire universe within and you alone pervades the entire cosmos without like a sky, You are the one who is the cause of all the wealth and virtues one acquires, the one whose eyes are detached and pure like a lotus( a flower that grows in sludge yet remains unaffected by the surroundings), and the one who is experienced by the yogi in deep samadhi.

My adoration and offering to that Supreme Lord Vishnu, the one who sustains everything, the one who takes away the fear of duality and afflictions of the mind, the one who is the refuge of all the sentient and insentient beings. I completely and selflessly bow down to you in surrender.

All Glories to Swamiji alone !!!