“Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam” – a Vedic Invocation to Vishnu

A Music Video from Nadaka and Gopika (Raga Mantra).

Nadaka: vocal and guitar, Gopika: vocal. A film by Basile Vignes, Auroville 2008

In Sanskrit Shantakaram ” the embodiment of peace” This ancient Vedic Mantra taken from the Upanishads is an invocation to Vishnu who represents the omnipresent consciousness supporting our universe.

(the above description is a blurb for the video, originally posted on the RAGA MANTRA  channel https://vimeo.com/ragamantra)

शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं
विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्ण शुभाङ्गम् ।
लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यम्
वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम् ॥

Shaanta-Aakaaram Bhujaga-Shayanam Padma-Naabham Sura-Iisham
Vishva-Aadhaaram Gagana-Sadrsham Megha-Varnna Shubha-Anggam|
Lakssmii-Kaantam Kamala-Nayanam Yogibhir-Dhyaana-Gamyam
Vande Vissnnum Bhava-Bhaya-Haram Sarva-Loka-Eka-Naatham ||

Meaning:
1: (Salutations to Sri Vishnu) Who has a Serene Appearance, Who Rests on a Serpent (Adisesha), Who has a Lotus on His Navel and Who is the Lord of the Devas,
2: Who Sustains the Universe, Who is Boundless and Infinite like the Sky, Whose Colour is like the Cloud (Bluish) and Who has a Beautiful and Auspicious Body,
3: Who is the Husband of Devi Lakshmi, Whose Eyes are like Lotus and Who is Attainable to the Yogis by Meditation,
4: Salutations to That Vishnu Who Removes the Fear of Worldly Existence and Who is the Lord of All the Lokas.

[Mantra text and translation are courtesy http://greenmesg.org/]