Shri Lakshmi Narayan Stotram: A Prayer of Surrender to Vishnu
Shri Lakshmi Narayan Stotram - Sanskrit Text
श्रीनिवास जगन्नाथ श्रीहरे भक्तवत्सल ।
लक्ष्मीपते नमस्तुभ्यं त्राहि मां भवसागरात् ॥१॥
राधारमण गोविन्द भक्तकामप्रपूरक ।
नारायण नमस्तुभ्यं त्राहि मां भवसागरात् ॥२॥
दामोदर महोदार सर्वापत्तिनिवारण ।
हृषीकेश नमस्तुभ्यं त्राहि मां भवसागरात् ॥३॥
गरुडध्वज वैकुण्ठनिवासिन् केशवाच्युत ।
जनार्दन नमस्तुभ्यं त्राहि मां भवसागरात् ॥४॥
शङ्खचक्रगदापद्मधर श्रीवत्सलाञ्छन ।
मेघश्याम नमस्तुभ्यं त्राहि मां भवसागरात् ॥५॥
त्वं माता त्वं पिता बन्धुः सद्गुरुस्त्वं दयानिधिः ।
त्वत्तोऽन्यो न परो देवस्त्राहि मां भवसागरात् ॥६॥
न जाने दानधर्मादि योगं यागं तपो जपम् ।
त्वं केवलं कुरु दयां त्राहि मां भवसागरात् ॥७॥
न मत्समो यद्यपि पापकर्ता न त्वत्समोऽथापि हि पापहर्ता ।
विज्ञापितं त्वेतदशेषसाक्षिन् मामुद्धरार्तं पतितं तवाग्रे ॥८॥
॥ इति श्रीलक्ष्मीनारायणस्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
Transliteration (Roman/IAST)
śrīnivāsa jagannātha śrīhare bhakta-vatsala |
lakṣmīpate namastubhyaṃ trāhi māṃ bhava-sāgarāt ||1||
tvaṃ mātā tvaṃ pitā bandhuḥ sadgurus tvaṃ dayā-nidhiḥ |
tvatto'nyo na paro devas trāhi māṃ bhava-sāgarāt ||6||
na matsamo yadyapi pāpa-kartā na tvatsamo'thāpi hi pāpa-hartā |
vijñāpitaṃ tvetad-aśeṣa-sākṣin māmuddharārtaṃ patitaṃ tavāgre ||8||
Meaning
This stotra is a heartfelt appeal to Lord Vishnu (as Lakshmi-Narayana) to rescue the devotee from the ocean of worldly existence. Each of the first five verses addresses the Lord by a cluster of his names - Shrinivasa, Jagannatha, Hari, Narayana, Damodara, Hrishikesha, Keshava, Achyuta, Janardana, holder of conch, discus, mace and lotus, dark as a cloud - and ends with the refrain "namastubhyam trahi mam bhava-sagarat" - "salutations to you; save me from the ocean of samsara." Verse 6 surrenders completely: "You are my mother, father, kinsman, true teacher and ocean of compassion; there is no god higher than you." Verse 7 confesses, "I know nothing of charity, dharma, yoga, sacrifice, austerity or japa - simply show me mercy and save me." The final verse pleads: "Though there is no greater sinner than I, there is no greater remover of sin than you - O witness of all, lift up this fallen, suffering one who has come before you."
About this Stotra
The Shri Lakshmi Narayan Stotram (also known simply as a Vishnu Stuti) is a devotional hymn of surrender (sharanagati) to Lord Vishnu, the consort of Lakshmi. Its tone is one of complete humility and dependence on divine grace rather than personal merit - a perfect expression of the path of prapatti (loving self-surrender) so central to Vaishnava devotion. The repeated plea "trahi mam bhava-sagarat" makes it a classic prayer for those seeking refuge from the turbulence of worldly life.
Significance & Spiritual Benefits
This stotra teaches and cultivates total surrender to God. Its power lies in its honesty: the devotee claims no spiritual accomplishments and asks only for grace. Reciting it fosters humility, devotion and trust in the Lord's compassion, and is believed to bring peace of mind, relief from fear and anxiety, protection in difficulties, and ultimately liberation from the cycle of birth and death. As a prayer to Lakshmi-Narayana, it also invokes the combined blessings of Vishnu's grace and Lakshmi's prosperity and auspiciousness.
Astrological Relevance
As a hymn to Lakshmi-Narayana, this stotra carries a twofold astrological benefit. Vishnu (Narayana) is connected with the Sun and with Jupiter, the great benefic and significator of dharma, grace and protection; Lakshmi is the deity of wealth and is linked with Venus (Shukra) and with the 2nd and 11th houses of wealth and gains. Recitation is therefore a Vaishnava remedy for strengthening Jupiter and Venus, for relief during difficult dashas and transits, and for invoking prosperity together with spiritual refuge. Its surrendering spirit makes it especially soothing during periods of fear, loss or instability (8th and 12th house themes).
How to Chant (Vidhi)
Bathe and sit before an image of Vishnu or Lakshmi-Narayana. Light a lamp and offer tulsi leaves, flowers and incense. Recite the eight verses with devotion and a feeling of surrender, ideally daily. The hymn is short enough to learn by heart and chant morning and evening. Conclude by bowing and offering the recitation at the Lord's feet, praying for his grace.
Best Day & Time
Thursday, the day of Vishnu and Jupiter, and Friday, the day of Lakshmi, are both especially auspicious. Ekadashi, the day sacred to Vishnu, is supremely favourable. The early morning hours or the evening lamp-lighting time are ideal for recitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of this stotra?
Complete surrender (sharanagati) to Lord Vishnu. The devotee claims no merit and asks only for the Lord's grace to be saved from the ocean of worldly existence.
Who is Lakshmi-Narayana?
Lakshmi-Narayana is the divine couple of Vishnu (Narayana) and his consort Lakshmi, worshipped together as the source of both spiritual liberation and material prosperity.
Can anyone recite this stotra?
Yes. It is a simple, universal prayer of surrender that anyone may chant daily with devotion, requiring no special qualification.
The grammar of surrender in Vaishnava devotion
The Shri Lakshmi Narayan Stotram belongs to the intimate register of Vaishnava prayer known as sharanagati - the full-hearted giving over of the self to the protection of the Lord. Its eight verses do not catalogue Vishnu's cosmic feats or recount his avatars; instead, they speak in the first person of the devotee's smallness, his inability to cross the ocean of worldly existence unaided, and his plea for the combined grace of both Vishnu and Lakshmi. This pairing is significant: Lakshmi is understood in the Vaishnava tradition as the compassionate mediator, the one whose presence ensures that the Lord's grace flows freely toward the devotee. To address both together is to invoke the fullness of divine benevolence.
Devotees traditionally recite this stotram on Thursdays and Fridays - days associated with Jupiter and Venus respectively, the two planets most aligned with Vishnu and Lakshmi in the Jyotish tradition. It is also considered appropriate for recitation on Ekadashi, during Vishnu Puja, and at the conclusion of any Vaishnavite ritual when the devotee wishes to seal their worship with an act of complete surrender. What makes this composition particularly moving is its emotional honesty: it does not pretend to merit or virtue but instead stakes everything on the unconditional nature of divine compassion. That quality of humble openness, the tradition teaches, is itself the deepest form of spiritual readiness.