Visnu-Sahasranama occurs in the 140th chapter of the Anusasana-parva in Sriman-Mahabharata. Bhisma narrates the 1000 names of Lord Visnu on the behest of Sri Krsna to the question put by Yudhisthira-

Kimekam daivatam loke kim vapyekam parayanam

Stuvantah kam kamarcantah prapnuyurmanavah subham

Ko dharmah sarva dharmanam bhavatah paramo matah

Kim japan mucyate jantuh janmasamsarabandhanat

The very fact that Bhagavan Sri Adi Sankaracarya, the renowned 8th Century philosopher saint, commented upon this text, is a testimony to its importance as a scripture, and to the philosophical essence of Vedanta contained within it. In the 27th verse of Mohamudgara-stotram (Bhaja-govindam), Bhagavan Sri Adi Sankaracarya says-

geyam gita-nama-sahasram;

dhyeyam sripati-rupamajasram.

For many people in India, recitation and study of Visnu-Sahasranama constitutes a part of their daily routine, at home or in temples.

With the benign Blessings of Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasvamiji of Sringeri Sri Sarada Pitham, we are bringing out the edition in accordance with the text commented by Bhagavan Sri Adi Sankaracarya. The text in this edition has also has a few addendum slokas which are not found in the commentary (Bhasya) but which have been passed down from the immemorial.

I convey the gracious blessings of the Jagadguru to all the devotees to meticulously study this scriptural gem under a qualified guru, bring it in practice in daily life and thereby lead a spiritual life.