Sri Adi Narayana Stava

This sacred “Sri Adinarayana Stavam” from the Skanda Purana is a deep and devotional hymn recited by sages in praise of Lord Adinarayana—the primordial Supreme Being, the cause of the universe, and the destroyer of sin. It presents the Lord as the all-auspicious, all-knowing, all-protecting consciousness that sustains creation.

The sages begin by offering salutations to the supremely auspicious Janardana, Sri Dhara, and Suvedhasa. Adinarayana is praised as the one adorned with a golden crown, subtle yet infinite, the lotus-naveled Lord, the cosmic creator Hiranyagarbha, and the root-cause of existence.

He is the eternal Achyuta, beyond decay and illusion, who wears the cloak of maya to sustain the worlds. He provides the boat of knowledge to cross the ocean of samsara, and He alone presides over creation, preservation, and dissolution.

The middle verses focus on invoking divine protection from evil forces. Just as chanting “Vasudeva” destroys sins, the sages pray that the sinful demon should be destroyed. Just as Vishnu’s devotees are untouched by sin, so too may this evil-doer perish. The remembrance of Vishnu alone destroys all faults—and the sages request that this divine truth manifest in the immediate destruction of the demon.

They pray for peace in all the worlds, for the removal of all suffering, and for the establishment of dharma through constant remembrance of Vasudeva.

The phalashruti explains the immense merits gained from devotion to Adinarayana. One who worships Him on Ekadashi obtains the merit of performing an Ashvamedha sacrifice. Seeing and worshipping Govinda grants the merit equal to donating a hundred thousand cows. In Kali Yuga, those who hold Adinarayana in their hearts experience the blessings of Krita Yuga—purity, peace, and freedom from suffering.

By bathing and worshipping Him on a Sunday that coincides with Ekadashi, a devotee becomes free from all worldly bondage. Thus, the hymn assures protection, liberation, and divine blessings.

Benefits:

• Destroyer of sins and negative karmas
• Protection from enemies and harmful forces
• Liberation from worldly bondage
• Ekadashi worship yields immense spiritual merit
• Brings peace, prosperity, courage, and the grace of Vasudeva