Nirayudha (निरायुध, IAST: Nirāyudha) is a Sanskrit-origin Hindu boy-name meaning “The one who is without weapons”. From nir (without) and āyudha (weapon), this name celebrates Viṣṇu's supremacy that transcends all armament — his very will and presence are the ultimate force.

Meaning, etymology & significance

Nir is a prefix denoting absence or transcendence, while āyudha derives from ā + yudh, meaning that which is used for combat. Although Viṣṇu is depicted bearing the discus Sudarśana and the mace Kaumodakī, this epithet points to his transcendent aspect — the formless Brahman who needs no instrument to accomplish his divine will. His mere sankalpa (intention) is sufficient to uphold or dissolve the cosmos.

This epithet of Viṣṇu in the Sahasranāma highlights his nirguṇa or attribute-transcending dimension. Pronounced nir-aa-yoo-dhuh, with clear articulation of the long ā.

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Scriptural source

Nirayudha appears in the Vishnu Sahasranama, among the sacred names of Vishnu.

Astrology — nakshatra, rashi & numerology

By the standard Vedic correspondence between a name’s first syllable and the lunar mansion, Nirayudha aligns with the Anuradha nakshatra, under the Vrischika rashi (Moon sign). Its Chaldean name-number is 8.