Vishnu Sahasranamam: Sloka 2

Introduction

These slokas (including Sloka 1) are a part of the Purvabhaga (prologue) to the Vishnusahasranamam. The actual Sahasranamam in the standard renditions start much later and is preceded by Purvabhaga, Dhayana verses, etc. The Purvabhaga slokas pay obeisance to Vishnu and throws light on the context in which the Vishnu Sahasranmam was rendered. Although technically not a part of Vishnusahasranamam, these preludes and Dhyana slokas have been recited for generations and is therefore dealt with here too. 

Sloka 2

yasya dviradavaktrādyāḥ pāriṣadyāḥ paraḥ śatam |

vighnaṁ nighnanti satataṁ viṣvakasenaṁ tamāśraye ||

Meaning

The elephant faced one along with his innumerable attendants, Would always remove obstacles as we depend on Vishvaksena. 

Poetic Translation

I take refuge in Vishvaksena who always eliminates all hindrances, The commander of the elephant-faced attendant and the numerous others.

Comment

This sloka is not found in many books of Vishnu Sahasranamam. In this Sloka, Vishvaksena is referred to. Vishwaksena is the commander-in-chief of Vishnu's army and is also the gatekeeper of Vishnu's abode, Vaikhunta.

There is an interesting debate on whether the first sloka in Vishnusahasranamam is a prayer to Ganesha instead of Vishnu. So the question arises as to whether this Sloka is a later addition to negate the idea that the first sloka relates to Ganesha. More on this in the next post.