We begin the New Year with a prayer to Lord Vishnu, the preserver and purveyor of all that is good for our body, mind and spirit. This four line shloka is also sometimes referred to as stuti – something which is said in the highest praise of the Lord.
Vishnu Stuti in Sanskrit
sasha.nkha chakraM sakiriita kuNDalaM,
sapiita vastraM sarsi ruhekshanaM
sahaar vakshasthala kaustubhashriyaM,
namaami viShNuM shirsaa chaturbhujaM
सशंख चक्रं सकिरीत कुण्डलं,
सपीत वस्त्रं सर्सि रुहेक्षनं ।
सहार वक्षस्थल कौस्तुभश्रियं,
नमामि विष्णुं शिरसा चतुर्भुजं ।।
Meaning and Interpretation of the Vishnu Stuti
Let us sing praises (sakiriita) of Lord Vishnu – he who holds the conch (shankha), the spinning discus (chakra) and is adorned with earrings (kundalam).
Let us sing praise of the yellow (sapiita) clothed (vastram) one who is lord of the serpents. Apart from many kinds of weapons, Lord Vishnu bears (sahaar) the Kaustubha Mani (a gem named Kaustubh) on his chest (vaksha sthala. Let us bow before (namaami) the great four-armed (chaturbhujam) Vishnu and ask for his blessings!