Āchamana — Sipping Water (Purification)
Om Keshavaaya namah | Om Naaraayanaaaya namah | Om Maadhaavaaya namah
Om Govindaaya namah | Om Vishnave namah | Om Madhusoodanaaya namah
Om Trivikramaaya namah | Om Vaamanaaya namah | Om Shreeedharaaya namah
Om Hrishiikeshaaya namah | Om Padmanaabhaaya namah | Om Daamodaraaya namah
ॐ केशवाय नमः। ॐ नारायणाय नमः। ॐ माधवाय नमः।
ॐ गोविन्दाय नमः। ॐ विष्णवे नमः। ॐ मधुसूदनाय नमः।
ॐ त्रिविक्रमाय नमः। ॐ वामनाय नमः। ॐ श्रीधराय नमः।
ॐ हृषीकेशाय नमः। ॐ पद्मनाभाय नमः। ॐ दामोदराय नमः।
Three sips of water taken while reciting twelve names of Vishnu. This purification rite precedes all ritual worship.
Each name is a divine attribute of Vishnu. Keśava = beautiful-haired; Nārāyaṇa = refuge of all; Mādhava = sweet as honey/spring; Govinda = lord of cows; Viṣṇu = all-pervading; Madhusūdana = slayer of Madhu demon; Trivikrama = three-strider; Vāmana = dwarf (5th avatar); Śrīdhara = holder of Lakshmi; Hṛṣīkeśa = lord of senses; Padmanābha = lotus-navelled; Dāmodara = bound with a cord.
At the beginning of puja, before any ritual act. Three small sips of water are taken.
Best Time: Before any puja begins
Vishnu Purana; standard Vaishnava puja liturgy
Pronunciation aid only — not a certified Vedic recitation.