Sloka 1

विश्वं विष्णुर्वषट्कारो भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः ।

भूतकृद्भूतभृद्भावो भूतात्मा भूतभावनः ॥ १४ ॥

Om vishvam vishnur vashat kaaro bhoota-bhavya bhavat-prabhuh ।

Bhoota-krut bhoota-bhrud-bhaavo bhootaatma bhoota-bhaavanah.॥

He who is the Universe itself - spread everywhere fully,

He who personification of Vedic sacrifice (Yagna) be,

He who the master of all past, present and future be,

Who created beings in the universe unquestionably.

He who supports all - the supporter of all things surely,

Who exists with splendor, always, independent wholly,

He who is the Atma or soul of all beings universally,

He who nurtures all beings that He created definitely.

Background

When Bhishma, the embodiment of wisdom and knowledge, and great grandfather of Kauravas and Pandavas, was lying on his deathbed in the battlefield of Kurushetra – the death of  knowledge and wisdom was approaching. Then Lord Krishna asked Yudhishtar to take guidance from his great grandfather Bhishma on aspects of life.

This was witnessed by sage Vyas and Krishna, reflects in reality Bhishma's life and his imparting knowledge to his progeny.

Just as the Bhagavad Gita is Krishna Kathita; Vidur Neeti is Vidur Kathita - Vishnu Sahasranamam is Bhishma Kathita.

Vishnu Sahasranam eradicates evil in us and gives us a chance to reconnect with the divine within.