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This review article brings new insights on why repeating thousands of names

attributed to the Lord can lead us to salvation. The recitation of

VishnuSahasranamam is quite symbolic with hidden treasures.

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This article has been sent to you by Ram Chandran ( rchandran )

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Source: thThe Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/br/2002/07/16/stories/2002071600090300.htm)

 

Commentary on a hymn

 

 

 

 

 

BHAGAVADGUNA DARPANA Part III: Sri Parasara Bhatta's commentary on Sri

Vishnu Sahasranama; Published by Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Satsangham, C-8519,

Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070. Price not mentioned.

 

 

 

THE BEST expedient that could liberate a soul from the worldly bondage in Kali

Yuga is the constant rendering of the names of the Lord. Though there are quite

a number of Sahasranamas on several gods, Vishnu Sahasranama holds a unique

place, as it was taught by Bhishma to Yudhishtra while answering a query from

him to enunciate what is the foremost among the eminent doctrines that could be

taken up for deeper investigation.

 

These names have been carefully selected by various sages starting from Sanaka

and compiled by Veda Vyasa. This forms a part of the Mahabharata, one of our

great epics.

 

It should not be misconstrued that Sahasranama is a mere arrangement of names.

But every name essentially is a connotation of a form of the Formless, to make

the ardent devotee to comprehend Him. Praise is nothing but an expression of

ecstasy from those who have experienced the excellence of the Lord with an

intent that others should also beget His benign grace.

 

The commentary of Parasara Bhatta is based on the concept of Visishtadvaita.

That of Sathyasandha Yatiswara is akin to Madhwasampradaya. Pranava Nirukthi is

an abridged version of Sri Parasara Bhatta's commentary, containing 792 verses.

 

Sri Varadachariar's research was on grammatical and etymological aspects of the

Names. According to Parasara Bhatta the names amply illustrate the blemishless,

auspicious and glorious resplendency of Sriman Narayana, who exhibits His

Supreme Soul in Para-Vyuha-Vibhava-Avatara-Archa manifestations. They also

describe the avatars the Lord has taken and the Leelas enacted by Him to protect

His devotees, who have abjectly surrendered to Him for succour.

 

The book under review is the third volume of the published by the Satsangham.

This book has taken up from Namavali 501 to the last for the present edition. As

in earlier books, the verses and their meanings are given in Devanagari script,

with an English translation. The epilogue has also been translated.

 

Parasara Bhatta has arranged the names in subject-wise groups. For example,

names 503-519 refer to the incarnation of Rama; 520 to 528 to Kurma; 529 to 538

to Kapila; 539 to 543 to Varaha and 544 to 562 to Suddhasatva and so on.

 

For the names Vrishabhaksha and Vrishapriya that appear at the beginning of the

seventh sathaka for explanation he has drawn the source from Dramidacharya,

echoing the view that with the sole objective of getting the fruit of an action,

the human beings resort to please the Lord.

 

He has also quoted extensively from Vedas, Upanishads, the Mahabharata, the

Ramayana and the Vishnupurana in support of his several observations.

 

The book has been brought out with neat printing on quality paper. Their attempt

is laudable. These books should form part of a cherished collection of a

devotee.

 

 

 

P.V. SIVARAMA DIKSHITAR

 

 

 

 

 

 

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