The Twelve Sacred Names of Vishnu and Meanings.

 The Twelve sacred names of Vishnu are ---

1.Kesava.

2.Narayanaya.

3.Madhava.

4.Govinda .

5.Vishnu.

6.Madhusoodhana.

7.TriVikrama.

8.Vamana.

9.Sridhara.

10.Hrishikesa.

11.Padmanabha.

12.Damodara.

                       Meanings.

1.Kesava: The lord who has jet black ,curly lustrous and bewitching hair.

Other meanings: a.The remover of grief in Archa [Moorthy] form both in Mathura and Varanasi.

b.Brahma is known as' Ka'  and Siva is known as 'Isa' . In HariVamsa which is  written by Vyasa , Siva  says that  since both Brahma and himself were born out of Narayana's body , Narayana[Vishnu] is known as Kesava.

2.Narayanaya:He is the sustainer and the supporter of the group of indestructible and eternal entities known as Atmas.                                                                                He is also the indweller of Atmas and dictates from within.

Note:Nara means  the group of indescructible entities known as Atmas .                     Ayana means -giving support to Atmas .

3. Madhava;The consort of Lakshmi.

Other meanings: a'.Ma' means gyanam of Paramatma.This gyanam consists of  Mounam[silence],Dhaynam[contemplation],and Yogam[mental union with God].

Bestower of this gyanam is Madhava.

b.Lakshmi's husband.Lakshmi is the mother of all worlds  and He is the father of all such worlds owing to this relationship.

c.Madhu is another name of Yadava clan .Since Krishna the Avatar of Vishnu\Narayana was born in that clan He is also known by His clan name Madhava. He is reputed to have the gyanam of Parmatma.[As per Mahabharat]

4. Govinda:'Go' means speech.                                                                                          The lord receives praising speeches and hymns from the Devas.Hence He is known as Govinda.

Other meaning:One who reclaimed the earth.'Go' means earth .'Vindha' means reclaiming.

Hence Govinda refers to Varaha avatar of Lord Vishnu. [According to Mahabharat]

5.Vishnu: Vishnu means To Pervade.                                                                             In Vishnu avatar Bhagwan enters and pervades  all sentinents [living beings]and non-sentinents[things]He is the Atma of all .

Other meanings: a. He showers His blessings on all and also helps them in many ways .In doing so  He doesnot bother about the fact that He is Supreme whilst others are lower and lowly.He also never departs from them at any point of time.

b. Owing to His intrisnic nature[swaroopa]Bhagwan who has the power of creation,direction, protection and termination of worlds activities ,enters all things, beings and space.

In Aditya Purana it is stated that owing to His 'Shakthi' or power He enters into all .'Vis' means enter.

c.Since He scaled all the three worlds Bhagwan is called Vishnu .This is stated in MahaBharat. 

6.Madhusoodhana:"The annihilator of the Asura Madhu".                                      This feat makes Him the foremost protector hence He is fit to keep Lakshmi  steadfastly to Himself. 

Other meanings; a.Madhu also means sense organs.Since He pulls all the senses of Nitya sooris to join with Him.without any hindrance.

Note : Nitya sooris are the eternal Devas or free Atmas at Sriman Narayan's service in Vaikuntum like Anantha, Garuda and others who have never been subject to the vicious cycle of birth, death and rebirth. 

b.He is very enticing. 

7.Trivikrama:Due to His exceptional grandeur His presence is spread all over the threeVedas.He pervades them all.

He has the great distinction of being proclaimed as One having exceptional qualities, by all the three Vedas.

According to Rishi's 'Tri' means 3 Vedas .Since He is present in all of them He is known as TriVikrama.

All Vedas are in Him .Vedas are for Narayana only.

8.Vamana:  The Bhagwan who took Vamana Avatar  '

He took this Avatar to protect Indra.

As per Vedas ,Vamana's light grants pleasures to those who pray to Vamana.

9.Sridhara:He is always united with Lakshmi.  

In the manner in which Amruth has a natural good taste and wholesome flavour similarily this nectarine union between Narayana and Lakshmi is natural and is to be savored.

Note: "Sri "means Lakshmi

10.Hrishikesa: The Bhagwan rules over , dictates and directs the five senses.

other meaning:It also refers to His nature ,which is characterised by happiness, well being ,wealth, enthusiasm and bliss. 

11.Padmanabha:The Bhagwan  has a lotus in His navel which represents Time-Kala-.This lotus is the birth place of Brahma.    

 Other  meanings:a.He has eight petaled Golden lotus in His navel.This is earth.It rose when Narayana\Vishnu was in  Yoga nithra and was formed due to His will.Mount Meru is the golden fruit of this lotus.

b.His navel is like a lotus.

12.Damodhara:The Bhagwan keeps the worlds in His stomach.

Note:Dama means world.

Other meanings: a.The Bhagwan gives pleasures to Devas .This is as per Mahabharat.                                                                                                               Note;Damam means- pleasure.Udhara means - shows .

b. The Bhagwan's belly  was tied  around with a rope by His mother Yashoda.

This shows His extreme simplicity and His nature to subjugate Himself to His devotees owing to His love towards His devotees. This  is  as per Vishnu Purana.

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Reference:From Vishnu Sahasarnamam Bhashyam by Mahamahopadya  Sri Ramanujachariar and Dr Desikan.which is based on Prasarar Bhattars interpretations in his Bashyam on Vishnu Sahasarnamam"-Bhagavath Guna Darpanam".

Note : Parasara Bhattar was the son of Koorathazwar,who was the direct disciple of Sri Ramanujar.

He must have written his Bhashyam in 11 th or 12 th century AD.