Importance of twelve names of Bhagwan Mahavishnu

Lord Vishnu has innumerable names. Out of these, Bhishma composed 1000 names and gave it to Yudhishthir, which became famous as Vishnusahasranama. From these 1000 names, sages selected 12 names which explain greatness of Lord Vishnu. In fact, these 12 names are chanted when one performs Achaman before starting any ritual, ensuring that they are chanted regularly.

1. Keshava – This has several meanings. Keshava means one who removes difficulties (klesha). It also means a person having curly hairs. According to Adi-Shankaracharya, the name Keshava was bestowed on Narayana by Lord Shiva.
2. Narayana – naranam ayanam - Nara means the universe of sentient and non-sentient beings. Ayana means one who is the support (adhar) for it. There is also other view - narah ayanam yasya sah - means one who is immanent in all, that is all that exists in the universe has Narayana as its support.
3. Madhava – “Ma” means Laxmi. "Dhava" means husband. Hence Madhava means husband of Laxmi (wealth and prosperity). As the husband of Laxmi, he possesses all wealth, knowledge etc.
4. Govinda – The word “Go” has several meanings in Sanskrit. It means the mother Earth or a Cow. So Govinda means He who saved mother Earth from Pralaya or He who is protector of cows. His simplicity is exhibited when he acts as a cowherd and protects people from Indra's deluge in his Krishna avatar.
5. Vishnu – It means, the person who is present in everything and everywhere i.e. the person who occupies both the Chit (possessing intelligence) and Achit (without intelligence)
6. Madhusudana – This denotes the person who has attained the control of Indriyas (sense organs) or the person who slayed the asura named Madhu. This aspect of the name is aptly explained in Bhagwat Geeta by the shloka “Paritranaya sadhunaam vinashaych dushkritaam”.
7. Trivikrama – This means a person who has conquered the world in three steps. This is also called as giant form of Vishnu's Vamana avatar when he restored kingdom of Indra which was being ruled by asura Mahabali.
8. Vamana – This was the stage before Lord Vishnu manifested as TriVikrama. Lord Vishnu transformed himself into a brahmin of 3 feet tall to beg Mahabali for the kingdom on behalf of Indra. In this way he exhibited his greatness i.e. he became a dwarf in order to help Indra, by lowering his stature in presence of all.
9. Shridhara – It means He is the lord of “Sri” (Laxmi) i.e. husband of Laxmi.
10. Hrishikesha – It means he makes the indriyas function according to his command.
11. Padmanabha – It means who has the Lotus (padma) in his naval (nabhi). The lotus on his naval is indicative of the fact that he was responsible for the creation of the universe
12. Damodara – When Mother Yashoda tied him by a rope on his waist, it left a mark on his stomach. Damodara means, He who has the mark of the rope. This act of His getting tied, shows that he will be the slave to all those who tie him with their love. 

All these 12 names are very sacred for the Vaishnavaits. In order to emphasize these 12 sacred qualities of Lord Vishnu, Vaishnava saints carry sacred marks on their body – 1 on forehead, 3 on stomach, 1 on left shoulder, 1 on chest, 1 on right shoulder, 3 on neck, 1 in back, 1 on the back side of neck. They recite above 12 names while applying these marks on their body.

16 names of Lord Mahavishnu

Lord Mahavishnu is addressed by about 1000 names. Of these following 16 names are considered more sacred. It is stated that they have to be uttered while performing certain acts (duties) namely

1. Vishnu – while taking medicine
2. Janardana – while partaking food
3. Padmanabha – while going to sleep
4. Prajapati – during wedding ceremonies
5. Chakradhari – during war
6. Trivikrama – while starting for a journey
7. Shridhara – while meeting friends
8. Govinda – when we get bad dreams
9. Madhusudana – when in difficulties
10. Narsimha – while traveling in forest
11. Shri Mahavishnu – when difficulties are encountered due to fire
12. Shri Varaha – difficulties encountered due to water
13. Shri Rama – while climbing mountain
14. Vamana – while walking
15. Narayana – on the death bed
16. Madhava – at all times

108 Divya Desham

Vaishanvism regards Vishnu or Lord Krishna as Supreme being. In South India, Vaishnavism was spread by Vaishnav saints known as Alwar (also known as Azwar or Alvars). They hailed from all walks of life, and included women as well. They are considered as Ansham (part incarnation) of Lord Vishnu Himself. They were totally devoted to Lord Vishnu and his Avatars. Traditionally they are considered to have lived between 4200 BCE to 2700 BCE. They hold similar position among South India as that of 63 Nayanmars in Shaivisam. The only woman saint among them is Shri Andal (considered as incarnation of Goddess Laxmi). They spread Vaishnavism by composing devotional hymns on Lord Vishnu like Nayanmars spread Shaivism by composing devotional hymns on Lord Shiva. These sacred devotional hymns are 4000 in number and are together known as Divya Prabhandam. Alwars and Nayanmars helped Tamil religious life to become independent of the knowledge of Sanskrit.

Along with 3 Shaiva-Nayanmars, Alwars influenced the Pallava kings by promoting Bhakti-marg. This resulted in changing the religious geography of South India from Budhism and Jainism to Hinduism. The Alwars in their sacred hymns have revered 108 Vishnu temples. These are similar to 275 Shaiva Sthalams mentioned by Nayanmars in their hymns. These 108 Vishnu temples are together known as 108 Divya Deshams. These Divya Deshams follow Thenkalai (Southern) or Vadakalai (Northern) mode of worship. These 2 methods are followed in Vishnu temples of South India. Of these 108 temples, 84 are in Tamilnadu, 13 in Kerala, 2 in Andhra Pradesh, 1 in Gujrat, 4 in UP and 3 in Uttarakhand. The remaining 2 are Thirupalkadal (Ocean of milk) and Vaikuntham (Paramapadam).

It is noted that in the following Vishnu temples, the Goddess Laxmi has predomimamce over Lord Vishnu

1. Nacchiyar Kovil (At Thirunarariyur in Kumbhakonam of Tanjore district of Tamilnadu).
2. Thiru Andal temple at Srivilliputhur in Thriunelveli district of Tamilnadu
3. Pundarikaksha temple at Thiruvellarai in Trichy disctirct of Tamilnadu
4. Azagiya Manavala Perumal temple at Uraiyur in Tamilnadu

It is stated that Vishnu was of the view (opinion) that during Kaliyuga, women will have predominance over men. Hence it seems that he decided to set example first.