Vishnu Sahasranama · Verse 23

Who Taught The First Teacher?

गुरुर्गुरुतमो धाम सत्यः सत्यपराक्रमः ।
निमिषोऽनिमिषः स्रग्वी वाचस्पतिरुदारधीः ॥ २३ ॥

The twenty-third verse reveals nine names of Lord Vishnu. What if every teacher who ever taught you was only borrowing His light?

Watch and reflect

Choose English or Hindi. The video is intentionally embedded here so you can read the names alongside it; continue on YouTube to save, share, comment, or subscribe.

Playing manually supports a genuine view. Autoplay is intentionally off.

What Verse 23 is showing us

One devotional arc: Lord Vishnu silently kindles the light of sacred wisdom in Brahma's heart before creation begins as Guruh (The First Teacher). Even Brihaspati, preceptor of the gods, bows before Lord Vishnu's fathomless wisdom as Gurutamah (Teacher of All Teachers). Lord Vishnu Himself is the eternal sanctuary and dwelling place of all creation as Dhama (The Supreme Abode). While entire constellations revolve and wander through the cosmic night, Lord Vishnu stands at the unmoving center as the eternal Truth as Satyah (The Changeless Truth). Lord Vishnu measures all three worlds purely through the sacred power of an unbroken vow as Satyaparakramah (Whose Valor Is Truth). In the sacred Srirangam sanctum, Lord Ranganatha's eyelids rest closed in Yoga-Nidra, holding the universe safe as Nimishah (Eyes Closed in Yoga-Nidra). Even in divine repose, Lord Vishnu's unblinking lotus eyes watch over all creation with boundless love as Animishah (The Ever-Watchful Witness). While earthly blossoms wither, the celestial five-element garland upon Lord Vishnu's chest stays fresh forever as Sragvi (Adorned with Vaijayanti). Lord Vishnu generously bestows sacred speech and noble wisdom upon every earnest seeker as Vachaspatirudaradhih (Lord of Speech and Wisdom).

The nine names in Verse 23

Use these deep links to return to a particular name: each card has its own address for sharing or bookmarking.

Name 1

गुरुः

Guruh

The First Teacher

सबके पहले गुरु

Name 2

गुरुतमः

Gurutamah

Teacher of All Teachers

गुरुओं के भी गुरु

Name 3

धाम

Dhama

The Supreme Abode

परम पावन धाम

Name 4

सत्यः

Satyah

The Changeless Truth

सदा अडिग सत्य

Name 5

सत्यपराक्रमः

Satyaparakramah

Whose Valor Is Truth

सत्य ही जिनका पराक्रम

Name 6

निमिषः

Nimishah

Eyes Closed in Yoga-Nidra

योग-निद्रा में लीन

Name 7

अनिमिषः

Animishah

The Ever-Watchful Witness

सदा जागृत साक्षी

Name 8

स्रग्वी

Sragvi

Adorned with Vaijayanti

वैजयंती माला धारी

Name 9

वाचस्पतिरुदारधीः

Vachaspatirudaradhih

Lord of Speech and Wisdom

वाणी और ज्ञान के स्वामी

Continue the practice

The published Verse 23 visual reel is linked directly above so you can explore the companion art and reflections on Instagram.