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Importance of SriVishnu Sahasranamam
Importance of SriVishnu Sahasranamam
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1. ORIGIN OF "SRI VISHNU SAHASRANAMAM"
- Dharmaputra, the epitome of righteousness and virtue, was so depressed on seeing
the devastation caused by the KurukshEtra war.
- Bhishma, the grand sire and the very personification of Dharma was on his death
bed. It was feared that after his departure, his lifetime experience in Dharma was
sure to be lost to the world.
- Lord KrishNa who was himself the Eternal Dharma (KrishNam Dharmam Sanaatanam)
advised Dhramaputra to seek clarifications of his doubts from Bhishma Pitamaha.
- Sage Veda Vyaasa and other sages and Lord KrishNa himself were personally
witnessing the exposition of Bhishma - including this �Sri VishNu Sahasranamam�
Besides the above, another slOka depicts him as the very incarnation of Bhagavaan
Sri VishNu Himself:
The litmus test to differentiate Saatvika from the rest is that in Saatvika
scriptures, questions of a general nature on deities are raised and answers zero
in on the one who fits the bill, whereas in the other categories, they begin with
questions on a specific deity requiring expatiation on the qualities of that deity
in particular.
In his infinite mercy, Sage Vyaasa compiled a few out of them to help us meditate
at least these 1000 names!.
- Draupadi while she was about to be disrobed, cried aloud the name of the Lord as
�GOvindaa�, The "dooravaasi" that he was, he did NOT appear in person. But, it was
his "name" that saved her honor.
In fact, Lord KrishNa regretted later saying:
�Her cry wrenched my heart so deep and I feel eternally indebted to her like an
unsatisfied debt that carried usurious rate of interest�
"GOvindaa! Iti yat aakraandat krishNa maam doora vaasinam RiNa pravruttamiva mE
hridayaat na apasarpati"
- Sri AnjanEya crossed the ocean by merely reciting the "Name" of Sri Rama whereas
Sri Rama had to physiaclly build a bridge to cross over to Lanka. Thus, �Rama
naamam� proved more powerful than
Sri Rama himself!
Thus, every single name of the Lord exhibited his unique quality of
accessibility and compassion (Soulabhyam and Souseelyam)
That is why,these naamas denoting qualities were praised by one and all �
Celestials, Parama Rishis, Azhwaars, AndaaL and many others and secured instant
relief
Adhi Sankara, the earliest to commentator based his work on the Advaita philosophy
according to which only "NirguNa Brahmam" (Paramaatma without qualities) was real
and others were mere illusion.
Besides the above Sri NilakanTar, Sri VidyaaraNyar and many others also wrote
commentaries according to their own view points.
They are, however, advised to read Itihaasas and PuraaNas that explain the purport
of the Vedas. Mahaabhaarata is an Itihaasa. Bhagavad Gita and Sahasranaamam are
integral part of this Itihaasa.
So, there appears to be no such restrictions in reciting them There is a SlOkam
that permits this:
On hearing this Naama DEvar said:�Don�t do this. By chance, the mud might have
been purified by the touch of the feet of Saadhus who might have treaded the path
and so such people might escape punishment. Let their tongues putrefy with worms�
�
�naama nakE raagOpaasE kite paTO dyaasi vaachE�
(p.6 of Sri VishNu Sahasra naama StOtram� by Keezhaatur Srinivasaachariar
published by LIfco)
13. What happens when one is drawn into the vortex of devotion?
The mind of the person who is deeply attached to enjoying the GuNa-anubhavam of
Bhagavaan automatically gets detached from sensual objects and gets purified so as
to deserve the grace of the Lord and the
person attains the Kingdom of God.
Just as we cleanse our body by taking bath, the recital of Lord�s names purifies
our mind. And, no special or strenuous effort is needed for doing this!
14. Let us consider the meanings of some of the more familiar �naamas�
Achyuta: One who never forsakes or lets down those who seek refuge in him
Anantha: Endless, limitless by space, time or object
GOvinda: Rescuer of Earth, Cows representing all living beings
KEsava: The Lord of Brahma and Siva (Ka: = Brahma; Isa= Siva)
NarayaNa: The Universal abode, Supporter of hosts of souls
Madhava: The Consort of �Maa� or Mahaalakshmi
VishNu: One who pervades naturally without constraints of space, time or object
Madhusudana: The destroyer of Madhu
Trivikrama: Conqueror of three worlds
Vamana: The resplendent dwarf, literally, deserving praise and conferring praise
Sridhara: Bearer of Sri or fortune
HrishikEsa: Controller of the emotions )Literally heart) and other senses
Padmanaabha: One who has a lotus in his navel
DamOdara: the Self-restrained, One who holds the worlds in his tummy
All names of the Supreme Lord Sriman NarayaNa. Let us remember to recite His holy
names at all times.