OM namo nArAyaNAya aShTAkSharamAhAtmyaM ..
शरीशुक ुवाछ -- किं जपन मुछयते तात सततं विŚणुततपरः
śrīśuka uvācha -- kiṃ japan muchyate tāta satataṃ viŚṇutatparaḥ
Shri Shuka spoke -- What is the chant that liberates, O father, those who are ever devoted to Vishnu?
संसारदुःखात सरवेŚां हिताय वद मे पितः
saṃsāraduḥkhāt sarveŚāṃ hitāya vada me pitaḥ
From the sorrows of worldly existence, for the welfare of all beings, please tell me, O father.
यं जपन मुछयते मरतयो जनमसंसारबनधनात
yaṃ japan muchyate martyo janmasaṃsārabandhanāt
He who chants it is liberated from the bonds of worldly existence, even at the moment of death.
हृ^ितपुणडरीकमधयसथं शङखछकरगदाधरम
hṛ^itpuṇḍarīkamadhyasthaṃ śaṅkhachakragadādharam
In the heart, where the lotus of virtue resides, He who holds the conch, discus, and mace.
ेकागरमनसा धयातवा विŚणुं कुरयाजजपं दविजः
ekāgramanasā dhyātvā viŚṇuṃ kuryājjapaṃ dvijaḥ
With a focused mind, let the twice-born meditate upon Vishnu, and perform the sacred chant.
ेकानते निरजनसथाने विŚणवगरे वा जलानतिके
ekānte nirjanasthāne viŚṇavagre vā jalāntike
In a solitary place, or near water, let one chant the eight-syllable mantra, dedicating it to Vishnu.
जपेदŚटाकŚरं मनत्रं छितते विŚणुं निधाय वै
japedaŚṭākŚaraṃ mantraṃ chitte viŚṇuṃ nidhāya vai
Chanting the eight-syllable mantra, one should offer it to Vishnu, the treasure of all.
ŚटाकŚरसय मनत्रसय ृ^िŚिरनारायणः सवयम
aŚṭākŚarasya mantrasya ṛ^iŚirnārāyaṇaḥ svayam
The eight-syllable mantra, the essence of all mantras, is indeed Narayana Himself.
Cहनदशछ दैवी गायत्री परमातमा छ देवता
Chandaścha daivī gāyatrī paramātmā cha devatā
The divine Gayatri is the supreme soul, the deity of the mantra.
शुकलवरणं छ ोंकारं नकारं रकतमुछयते
śuklavarṇaṃ cha oṃkāraṃ nakāraṃ raktamuchyate
The syllable 'Om' is white, 'Na' is the sound that liberates.
मोकारं वरणतः कृ^िŚणं नाकारं रकतमुछयते
mokāraṃ varṇataḥ kṛ^iŚṇaṃ nākāraṃ raktamuchyate
The syllable 'Mo' is black, and 'Ka' is the sound that liberates.
राकारं कुङकुमाभं तु यकारं पीतमुछयते
rākāraṃ kuṅkumābhaṃ tu yakāraṃ pītamuchyate
The syllable 'Ra' is saffron, while 'Ya' is the sound that is yellow.
णाकारमञजनाभं तु यकारं बहुवरणकम
ṇākāramañjanābhaṃ tu yakāraṃ bahuvarṇakam
The syllable 'Na' is of a dark hue, while 'Ya' is of many colors.
ों नमो नारायणायेति मनत्रः सरवारथसाधकः
oṃ namo nārāyaṇāyeti mantraḥ sarvārthasādhakaḥ
'Om Namo Narayanaya' is the mantra that fulfills all desires.
भकतानां जपतां तात सवरगमोकŚफलपरदः
bhaktānāṃ japatāṃ tāta svargamokŚaphalapradaḥ
For the devotees who chant it, O father, it grants the fruits of liberation and heavenly realms.
वेदानां परणवेनैŚ सिदधो मनत्रः सनातनः
vedānāṃ praṇavenaiŚa siddho mantraḥ sanātanaḥ
By the sacred syllable of the Vedas, this eternal mantra is indeed fulfilled.
सरवपापहरः शरीमान सरवमनत्रेŚु छोततमः
sarvapāpaharaḥ śrīmān sarvamantreŚu chottamaḥ
It removes all sins, and is indeed the most exalted of all mantras.
ेनमŚटाकŚरं मनत्रं जपननारायणं समरेत
enamaŚṭākŚaraṃ mantraṃ japannārāyaṇaṃ smaret
By chanting this eight-syllable mantra, one invokes Narayana in battle.
संधयावसाने सततं सरवपापैः परमुछयते
saṃdhyāvasāne satataṃ sarvapāpaiḥ pramuchyate
At the end of the day, it liberates one from all sins.
ेŚ ेव परो मनत्र ेŚ ेव परं तपः
eŚa eva paro mantra eŚa eva paraṃ tapaḥ
This is the supreme mantra, this is the supreme penance.
ेŚ ेव परो मोकŚ ेŚ सवरग ुदाहृ^ितः
eŚa eva paro mokŚa eŚa svarga udāhṛ^itaḥ
This is the supreme liberation, and the source of heavenly bliss.
सरववेदरहसयेभयः सार ेŚ समुदधृ^ीतः
sarvavedarahasyebhyaḥ sāra eŚa samuddhṛ^ītaḥ
The essence of all Vedic secrets is indeed revealed in this.
विŚणुना वैŚणवानां हि हिताय मनुजां पुरा
viŚṇunā vaiŚṇavānāṃ hi hitāya manujāṃ purā
For the welfare of humanity, Vishnu indeed acted in ancient times.
ेवं ज्ञातवा ततो विपरो हयŚटाकŚरमिमं समरेत
evaṃ jñātvā tato vipro hyaŚṭākŚaramimaṃ smaret
Thus knowing, one should chant this eight-syllable mantra with devotion.
सनातवा शुछिः शुछौ देशे जपेत पापविशुदधये
snātvā śuchiḥ śuchau deśe japet pāpaviśuddhaye
In a pure and sacred place, let one chant with a heart free from sin.
जपेननारायणं मनत्रं करमपूरवे परे तथा
japennārāyaṇaṃ mantraṃ karmapūrve pare tathā
With the mantra of Narayana, let one engage in righteous deeds and remain steadfast.
जपेतसहसरं नियुतं शुछिरभूतवा समाहितः
japetsahasraṃ niyutaṃ śuchirbhūtvā samāhitaḥ
With a pure heart, let one chant a thousand times, focused and devoted.
मासि मासि तु दवादशयां विŚणुभकतो दविजोततमः
māsi māsi tu dvādaśyāṃ viŚṇubhakto dvijottamaḥ
Every month, on the twelfth day, the wise devotee of Vishnu shall be exalted.
सनातवा शुछिरजपेदयसतु नमो नारायणं शतम
snātvā śuchirjapedyastu namo nārāyaṇaṃ śatam
In purity, let one chant the sacred name, 'Namo Narayana,' a hundred times.
स गछCहेत परमं देवं नारायणमनामयम
sa gachChet paramaṃ devaṃ nārāyaṇamanāmayam
Such a one shall attain the supreme God, Narayana, who is beyond all names.
गनधपुŚपादिभिरविŚणुमनेनाराधय यो जपेत
gandhapuŚpādibhirviŚṇumanenārādhya yo japet
With fragrant flowers and offerings, let one worship Vishnu through chanting.
महापातकयुकतो.पि मुछयते नात्र संशयः
mahāpātakayukto.api muchyate nātra saṃśayaḥ
Even the greatest of sins shall be washed away; there is no doubt in this.
हृ^िदि कृ^ितवा हरिं देवं मनत्रमेनं तु यो जपेत
hṛ^idi kṛ^itvā hariṃ devaṃ mantramenaṃ tu yo japet
In the heart, if one keeps the Lord Hari, and chants this mantra, they shall be free.
सरवपापविशुदधातमा स गछCहेत परमां गतिम
sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā sa gachChet paramāṃ gatim
All sins shall be purified, and such a one shall attain the highest state.
परथमेन तु लकŚेण ातमशुदधिरभविŚयति
prathamena tu lakŚeṇa ātmaśuddhirbhaviŚyati
By the first means, purity shall be attained, leading to liberation.
दवितीयेन तु लकŚेण मनुसिदधिमवापनुयात
dvitīyena tu lakŚeṇa manusiddhimavāpnuyāt
By the second means, wisdom shall be gained, bringing forth enlightenment.
तृ^ितीयेन तु लकŚेण सवरगलोकमवापनुयात
tṛ^itīyena tu lakŚeṇa svargalokamavāpnuyāt
By the third means, one shall attain the realms of the divine.
छतुरथेन तु लकŚेण हरेः सामीपयमापनुयात
chaturthena tu lakŚeṇa hareḥ sāmīpyamāpnuyāt
By the fourth means, one shall draw near to the presence of Hari.
पञछमेन तु लकŚेण निरमलं ज्ञानमापनुयात
pañchamena tu lakŚeṇa nirmalaṃ jñānamāpnuyāt
By the fifth means, one shall acquire pure knowledge.
तथा ŚŚठेन लकŚेण भवेदविŚणौ सथिरा मतिः
tathā ŚaŚṭhena lakŚeṇa bhavedviŚṇau sthirā matiḥ
Thus, by the sixth means, a firm devotion to Vishnu shall arise.
सपतमेन तु लकŚेण सवरूपं परतिपदयते
saptamena tu lakŚeṇa svarūpaṃ pratipadyate
By the seventh means, one shall realize their true divine form.
Śटमेन तु लकŚेण निरवाणमधिगछCहति
aŚṭamena tu lakŚeṇa nirvāṇamadhigachChati
By the eighth means, one shall attain liberation from all bondage.
सवसवधरमसमायुकतो जपं कुरयाद दविजोततमः
svasvadharmasamāyukto japaṃ kuryād dvijottamaḥ
With unwavering faith, let the highest among the twice-born chant this mantra.
ेतत सिदधिकरं मनत्रमŚटाकŚरमतनदरितः
etat siddhikaraṃ mantramaŚṭākŚaramatandritaḥ
This mantra, the eight-syllable sacred sound, brings forth the fulfillment of all desires.
दुःसवपनासुरपैशाछा ुरगा बरहमराकŚसाः
duḥsvapnāsurapaiśāchā uragā brahmarākŚasāḥ
The fierce demons and evil spirits shall not approach the one who chants.
जापिनं नोपसरपनति छौरकŚुदराधयसतथा
jāpinaṃ nopasarpanti chaurakŚudrādhayastathā
The thief, the wicked, and the malevolent shall not come near the devoted.
ेकागरमनसावयगरो विŚणुभकतो दृ^िढवरतः
ekāgramanasāvyagro viŚṇubhakto dṛ^iḍhavrataḥ
With a focused mind, let the devotee of Vishnu remain steadfast in their resolve.
जपेननारायणं मनत्रमेतनमृ^ितयुभयापहम
japennārāyaṇaṃ mantrametanmṛ^ityubhayāpaham
By chanting this mantra of Narayana, one shall overcome both life and death.
मनत्राणां परमो मनत्रो देवतानां छ दैवतम
mantrāṇāṃ paramo mantro devatānāṃ cha daivatam
The supreme mantra among all mantras, the deity of deities, is indeed this sacred syllable.
गुहयानां परमं गुहयमोंकारादयकŚराŚटकम
guhyānāṃ paramaṃ guhyamoṃkārādyakŚarāŚṭakam
The greatest secret among all secrets, the essence of the sacred syllables, is the revered Om.
ायुŚयं धनपुत्रांशछ पशून विदयां महदयशः
āyuŚyaṃ dhanaputrāṃścha paśūn vidyāṃ mahadyaśaḥ
Those who chant this mantra shall attain wealth, progeny, and the strength of countless animals.
धरमारथकाममोकŚांशछ लभते छ जपननरः
dharmārthakāmamokŚāṃścha labhate cha japannaraḥ
One who recites it shall fulfill their desires for righteousness, wealth, love, and liberation.
ेतत सतयं छ धरमयं छ वेदशरुतिनिदरशनात
etat satyaṃ cha dharmyaṃ cha vedaśrutinidarśanāt
This truth is indeed righteous and divine, revealed through the sacred texts and their interpretations.
ेतत सिदधिकरं नृ^िणां मनत्ररूपं न संशयः
etat siddhikaraṃ nṛ^iṇāṃ mantrarūpaṃ na saṃśayaḥ
This mantra, in its form, grants success to all beings, without a doubt.
ृ^िŚयः पितरो देवाः सिदधासतवसुरराकŚसाः
ṛ^iŚayaḥ pitaro devāḥ siddhāstvasurarākŚasāḥ
The sages, ancestors, and deities, along with the celestial beings and demons, are all blessed by it.
ेतदेव परं जपतवा परां सिदधिमितो गताः
etadeva paraṃ japtvā parāṃ siddhimito gatāḥ
By chanting this, one attains the highest success, transcending all limitations.
ज्ञातवा यसतवातमनः कालं शासत्रानतरविधानतः
jñātvā yastvātmanaḥ kālaṃ śāstrāntaravidhānataḥ
Knowing this, one can govern time and the laws of the universe with wisdom.
नतकाले जपननेति तदविŚणोः परमं पदम
antakāle japanneti tadviŚṇoḥ paramaṃ padam
In the moment of chanting, one reaches the supreme abode of Vishnu.
नारायणाय नम ितययमेव सतयं संसारघोरविŚसंहरणाय मनत्रः
nārāyaṇāya nama ityayameva satyaṃ saṃsāraghoraviŚasaṃharaṇāya mantraḥ
Salutations to Narayana, for this mantra is indeed the truth, a refuge from the terrifying cycle of existence.
शृ^िणवनतु भवयमतयो मुदितासतवरागा ुछछैसतरामुपदिशामयहमूरधवबाहुः
śṛ^iṇvantu bhavyamatayo muditāstvarāgā uchchaistarāmupadiśāmyahamūrdhvabāhuḥ
Listen, O seekers of truth, with joyful hearts, I impart this wisdom with devotion.
भूतवोरधवबाहुरदयाहं सतयपूरवं बरवीमयहम
bhūtvordhvabāhuradyāhaṃ satyapūrvaṃ bravīmyaham
I am the one with the mighty arms, who brings forth the essence of all beings.
हे पुत्र शिŚयाः शृ^िणुत न मनत्रो.ŚटाकŚरातपरः
he putra śiŚyāḥ śṛ^iṇuta na mantro.aŚṭākŚarātparaḥ
O sons of wisdom, heed this, for no mantra surpasses the power of the sacred syllable.
सतयं सतयं पुनः सतयमुतकŚिपय भुजमुछयते
satyaṃ satyaṃ punaḥ satyamutkŚipya bhujamuchyate
Truly, truly, again and again, the strength of this mantra uplifts the weary.
वेदाछCहासत्रं परं नासति न देवः केशवात परः
vedāchChāstraṃ paraṃ nāsti na devaḥ keśavāt paraḥ
Beyond all scriptures, there is none greater than the divine Keshava.
ालोछय सरवशासत्राणि विछारय छ पुनः पुनः
ālochya sarvaśāstrāṇi vichārya cha punaḥ punaḥ
Contemplate all scriptures, again and again, seeking the essence within.
िदमेकं सुनिŚपननं धयेयो नारायणः सदा
idamekaṃ suniŚpannaṃ dhyeyo nārāyaṇaḥ sadā
In the singular sound of the sacred syllable, let Narayana always be your focus.
ितयेतत सकलं परोकतं शिŚयाणां तव पुणयदम
ityetat sakalaṃ proktaṃ śiŚyāṇāṃ tava puṇyadam
This entire teaching is indeed a boon for the seekers of virtue.
कथाशछ विविधाः परोकता मया भज जनारदनम
kathāścha vividhāḥ proktā mayā bhaja janārdanam
Various tales of the divine are sung, as I worship Janardana.
ŚटाकŚरमिमं मनत्रं सरवदुःखविनाशनम
aŚṭākŚaramimaṃ mantraṃ sarvaduḥkhavināśanam
This sacred syllable, the mantra, is the destroyer of all sorrows.
जप पुत्र महाबुदधे यदि सिदधिमभीपससि
japa putra mahābuddhe yadi siddhimabhīpsasi
O son, if you chant with great devotion, you shall surely attain success.
िदं सतवं वयासमुखाततु निससृ^ितं संधयात्रये ये पुरुŚाः पठनति
idaṃ stavaṃ vyāsamukhāttu nissṛ^itaṃ saṃdhyātraye ye puruŚāḥ paṭhanti
This truth, spoken by Vyasa, is a guide for those who read it with reverence.
ते धौतपाणडुरपटा िव राजहंसाः संसारसागरमपेतभयासतरनति
te dhautapāṇḍurapaṭā iva rājahaṃsāḥ saṃsārasāgaramapetabhayāstaranti
Those who recite it, their hands cleansed, shall soar like royal swans, crossing the ocean of existence.
िति शरीनरसिंहपुराणे ŚटाकŚरमाहातमयं नाम सपतदशो.धयायः
iti śrīnarasiṃhapurāṇe aŚṭākŚaramāhātmyaṃ nāma saptadaśo.adhyāyaḥ
Thus, in the Purana of Narasimha, the greatness of the sacred syllable is revealed in the fifteenth chapter.