Sri Vishnu Shatpadi Stotram శ్రీ విష్ణు షట్పది స్తోత్రం

Introduction to Vishnu Shatpadi

The Sri Vishnu Shatpadi (విష్ణు షట్పది) is a short, deeply moving hymn of six verses (shat-padi, "six-footed") by Adi Shankaracharya, in humble surrender to Lord Vishnu. It opens with the famous plea "Avinayam Apanaya Vishno" — "O Vishnu, remove my lack of humility, calm my mind, quiet my thirst for sense-pleasures, and ferry me across the ocean of worldly existence."

In its final verse the devotee confesses his smallness before the vastness of the Lord — "I am a sinner, but you are the remover of sins; I am fallen, but you are the saviour of the fallen" — a perfect expression of surrender.

This page presents the complete Vishnu Shatpadi in Telugu script with English transliteration.

Watch & Listen: Sri Vishnu Shatpadi Stotram

Vishnu Shatpadi: Telugu & English Lyrics

॥ శ్రీ విష్ణు షట్పది స్తోత్రం ॥
(శ్రీ ఆది శంకరాచార్య)

అవినయమపనయ విష్ణో దమయ మనః శమయ విషయమృగతృష్ణాం ।
భూతదయాం విస్తారయ తారయ సంసారసాగరతః ॥ ౧॥

దివ్యధునీమకరన్దే పరిమలపరిభోగసచ్చిదానన్దే ।
శ్రీపతిపదారవిన్దే భవభయఖేదచ్ఛిదే వన్దే ॥ ౨॥

సత్యపి భేదాపగమే నాథ తవాహం న మామకీనస్త్వం ।
సాముద్రో హి తరఙ్గః క్వచన సముద్రో న తారఙ్గః ॥ ౩॥

ఉద్ధృతనగ నగభిదనుజ దనుజకులామిత్ర మిత్రశశిదృష్టే ।
దృష్టే భవతి ప్రభవతి న భవతి కిం భవతిరస్కారః ॥ ౪॥

మత్స్యాదిభిరవతారైరవతారవతాఽవతా సదా వసుధాం ।
పరమేశ్వర పరిపాల్యో భవతా భవతాపభీతోఽహం ॥ ౫॥

దామోదర గుణమన్దిర సున్దరవదనారవిన్ద గోవిన్ద ।
భవజలధిమథనమన్దర పరమం దరమపనయ త్వం మే ॥ ౬॥

నారాయణ కరుణామయ శరణం కరవాణి తావకౌ చరణౌ ।
ఇతి షట్పదీ మదీయే వదనసరోజే సదా వసతు ॥ ౭॥

॥ ఇతి శ్రీమద్ శఙ్కరాచార్యవిరచితం విష్ణుషట్పదీస్తోత్రం సంపూర్ణమ్ ॥
                        
|| Sri Vishnu Shatpadi Stotram ||
(Sri Adi Shankaracharya)

Avinayamapanaya Vishno Damaya Manah Shamaya Vishayamrigatrishnam |
Bhutadayam Vistaraya Taraya Samsarasagaratah || 1||

Divyadhunimakarande Parimalaparibhogasachchidanande |
Shripatipadaravinde Bhavabhayakhedachchhhide Vande || 2||

Satyapi Bhedapagame Natha Tavaham Na Mamakinastvam |
Samudro Hi Tarangah Kvachana Samudro Na Tarangah || 3||

Uddhritanaga Nagabhidanuja Danujakulamitra Mitrashashidrishte |
Drishte Bhavati Prabhavati Na Bhavati Kim Bhavatiraskarah || 4||

Matsyadibhiravatarairavataravata'vata Sada Vasudham |
Parameshvara Paripalyo Bhavata Bhavatapabhito'ham || 5||

Damodara Gunamandira Sundaravadanaravinda Govinda |
Bhavajaladhimathanamandara Paramam Daramapanaya Tvam Me || 6||

Narayana Karunamaya Sharanam Karavani Tavakau Charanau |
Iti Shatpadi Madiye Vadanasaroje Sada Vasatu || 7||

|| Iti Shrimad Shankaracharyavirachitam Vishnushatpadistotram Sampurnam ||
                        

Significance of the Vishnu Shatpadi

The Shatpadi is beloved for its spirit of utter humility. Rather than praising the Lord’s glories at length, Shankaracharya simply asks Vishnu to remove his ego, calm his restless mind, and carry him across samsara — the essence of the path of surrender (prapatti).

Its closing verse — contrasting the devotee’s failings with the Lord’s saving grace — is one of the most quoted expressions of the relationship between the humble seeker and the compassionate Lord.

Benefits of Chanting Vishnu Shatpadi

  • Cultivates Humility: A prayer to remove ego and pride
  • Calms the Mind: Asks the Lord to quiet mental restlessness and craving
  • Refuge in Vishnu: A heartfelt prayer of surrender to Narayana
  • Short and Powerful: Easy to memorise and recite daily
  • Peace of Heart: Its humility brings inner calm and devotion

How to Chant Vishnu Shatpadi

  • Recite before Lord Vishnu / Narayana with a humble heart
  • Ideal as a short daily prayer, morning or evening
  • Especially fitting on Ekadashi and Saturdays
  • Beginners may follow the English transliteration
  • Chant slowly, reflecting on each plea for grace

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Vishnu Shatpadi?

The Vishnu Shatpadi is a short hymn of six verses by Adi Shankaracharya in humble surrender to Lord Vishnu. It begins "Avinayam Apanaya Vishno" — a plea to the Lord to remove the devotee’s ego and carry him across the ocean of worldly existence.

What does "Avinayam Apanaya" mean?

"Avinayam Apanaya Vishno" means "O Vishnu, remove my lack of humility (my pride)." It is the opening plea of the Shatpadi, asking the Lord to remove ego, calm the mind and grant compassion.

When should it be recited?

It may be recited any day as a short prayer of surrender, and is especially fitting on Ekadashi and Saturdays sacred to Lord Vishnu.

Is it available in Telugu script?

Yes. This page presents the complete Vishnu Shatpadi in Telugu script along with English transliteration.