Vishṇu Pañjara Stotra

A stotra is a hymn of praise, and a pañjara is a cage or enclosure. The Vishṇu Pañjara Stotra is a kavaca (armour) stotra, a hymn of protection. In it, Bhagavān Vishṇu, armed with the cakra (discus), the gadā (mace), the Śārṅga bow and the Nandaka sword, is placed at the four main directions and the four corners around the devotee, forming a divine fortress.

The Vishṇu Dharmottara Purāṇa says that Brahmā first composed this stotra to protect Śiva before the destruction of Tripura, and that Bṛhaspati later taught it to Indra before the battle with Balāsura. The stotra drives away rākshasas, bhūtas, piśācas and kūshmāṇḍas (various kinds of harmful beings). The healing rite that goes with it, the Sattva Bādhā Praśamana, is described in the next chapter.

How the Stotra Was Passed On

The ṛshi Mārkaṇḍeya records two famous people who received the Vishṇu Pañjara:

  1. From Brahmā to Śiva: before Mahādeva set out to destroy the three cities (Tripura-saṃhāra), Brahmā composed the Vishṇu Pañjara and taught it to him for his protection.
  2. From Bṛhaspati to Indra: when Indra was getting ready to slay the asura Bala, Bṛhaspati taught him this stotra for protection and success.

King Vajra had already learned the fruit of upalepana (smearing and cleaning a temple floor). Wanting to know something even greater, he asked Mārkaṇḍeya about the highest rakshā (protection). Mārkaṇḍeya then revealed the Vishṇu Pañjara as the supreme kavaca.

The Pañjara: Vishṇu Guarding Every Direction

The stotra places Vishṇu with a particular weapon in each direction:

  • East (Pūrva): Vishṇu with the cakra, the Sudarśana discus
  • South (Dakshiṇa): Vishṇu with the gadā, the mace
  • West (Paścima): Vishṇu with Śārṅga, the divine bow
  • North (Uttara): Hṛshīkeśa with Nandaka, the sword
  • The corners (vikoṇa, the in-between directions): Janārdana stands in each corner

The stotra prays that Hari, standing guard in this way, may destroy all niśācaras (beings who roam by night) and protect the earth.

The Protecting Power of Each Weapon

The stotra calls on each weapon in turn:

Gadā (mace): the mace, with its thousand rays, blazes with fire and scatters rākshasas, bhūtas, piśācas and ḍākinīs.

Śārṅga (bow): the twang (ṭaṅkāra) of Vāsudeva’s Śārṅga bow destroys all paśus (animals that threaten people), pakshīs (birds), people under evil influence, kūshmāṇḍas, pretas and the like.

Nandaka (sword): the pure moonlight that shines from the blade of Hari’s Nandaka sword changes even those who wish the devotee harm. They become gentle, like a snake calmed by Garuḍa.

The Harms It Drives Away

The protective shield of the pañjara drives away or destroys these harmful beings and forces:

  • Kūshmāṇḍas (a class of harmful unseen beings)
  • Yakshas
  • Daityas and niśācaras (beings who roam by night)
  • Pretas (restless spirits of the dead)
  • Vināyakas (beings who cause obstacles)
  • Wild animals: jackals, birds of prey, lions, boars and snakes
  • Those who steal citta-vṛtti (clarity of mind) and smṛti (memory)
  • Those who drain bala (strength) and ojas (vital radiance)
  • Those who steal chāyā (one’s shadow or aura)
  • Those who steal lakshaṇa (the marks of good fortune)

Against all of these, the speed of Vishṇu’s cakra and the sound of Śārṅga’s bowstring bring complete destruction.

The Closing Prārthanā

The stotra ends with the devotee declaring full reliance on Vishṇu:

“May Janārdana, Hari, be on my left and right, in front and behind, in all the main and in-between directions. One who bows in praṇati (humble salutation) before this praiseworthy Īśāna, this Janārdana of endless valour, will not fall into suffering. Just as Hari is Parabrahman, the form of the whole universe, so this Keśava, higher than the highest, is himself the whole world. By saṃkīrtana (chanting) of this Name beyond thought, the threefold pāpa, of body, mind and speech, shall be dissolved.”

Sources

  • Vishṇu Dharmottara Purāṇa, Pūrvārdha, Chapter 195