Vishnu Sahasranama

July 17, 2005

Om Namo Narayanaya!

Today is Ekadashi, a very auspicious day to start the postings on Vishnu Sahasranama that I had mentioned a couple of days ago. Ekadashi, the eleventh day after the full or the new moon day, is considered to be very holy. On this day devotees take minimum or no food and spend time contemplating on the Lord. It is believed that on Ekadashi day the Satvik nature in man is at its peak and hence conducive to one’s enlightenment.

The Vishnu Sahasranama [VS] was revealed by Shri Bheeshmacharya on Sukla Ekadashi in the month of Magha, 2 months after the Gitopadesha. During the Mahabharatha war, Lord Krishna was the sarathi [charioteer] for Arjuna. During the course of war, when Arjuna was confused about how he could wage a war against his own kith and kin, Krishna revealed the Bhagavat Gita to Arjuna. Arjuna, however, could not completely absorb the teachings from the point of view of the Lord. After the day’s battle, when they returned to their camp, Arguna asked Krishna to get down and open the gate. This baffled Krishna and he decided to choose an aacharya for the Pandavas to teach them Dharma. Krishna realizes that the most eligible person to talk about the ultimate

truth would be Bheeshma, who at that time was lying on the bed of arrows in the battlefield, ready to leave his mortal body. Krishna took Pandavas to Bheeshma and requested pithamaha (grandsire) to teach the Pandavas about the Ultimate Truth and Dharma. Krishna promised pithamaha that He would restore his memory that was buried deep due to the pains in his body.

As it was imparted from a great aacharya chosen by the Lord Himself, Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama is considered the essence of Gita and all the Vedas. Bheeshmacharya was lying on the bed of arrows after being put down by Arjuna during the war. After the war, Pandavas approached Bheeshma to teach them the higher principles of life and wisdom, from all his great experiences. Bheeshma who is a great Man of Action and Sacrifice, mastered the whole Dharma Sastra and practiced it strictly throughout his life. Even the Lord of Death feared to approach Bheeshma without his permission. Dharmaraja asks him to tell them the greatest of the secrets that made him so great and that he thinks is the best that can liberate all beings from the cycle of births and deaths and lead them to planes of highest Happiness, Bliss, The Lord. Then

Bheeshmacharya having obtained boon from Lord Krishna to be able to speak in clear voice and memorise his past deeds reveals the essence of all that he learnt from a number of sages who had the vision of Lord in different forms. Bheeshma observed a number of austerities imposed by the sages, served them for long periods, satisfied them that he deserves to be taught the secret they have obtained after strenuous efforts, and finally obtained from them the secrets. Like a honey bee that collects the honey drops from all the flowers, Bheeshmacharya collected all the manthras from different sages and composed Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Sthothram which he used to practice daily. When Dharmaraja asked him to reveal the greatest of secrets, Bheeshma reveals this to

Pandavas on Magha Sukla Ekadasi day in presence of Lord Krishna, showing Him and telling them that He is Lord of all Lords and praying Him with all 1000 names is all one can ever do to become more dear to Him which itself leads to salvation. Reciting it regularly or even listening to it, is itself a great thing that empowers one with the strength to overcome all the difficulties and get on to the right path of Salvation.

Benefits of chanting

Just as we clean ourselves and our homes regularly, it is equally and even more essential to cleanse our minds. Regular chanting of the Vishnu Sahasranama cleanses our minds of all evil thoughts. People, who chant the VS regularly or even just hear it daily, never encounter evil. They acquire fame, prosperity, intelligence. Anger, jealousy or evil thoughts never come in the minds of these devotees. Mortals who thus seek refuge in Krishna are freed of all sins and attain Moksha. This is a promise made by none other than Shri Krishna in the Gita.

sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah

Here, Krishna asks us to forgo all Dharmas and seek refuge at his feet. On doing so, He says, He shall free us of all our sins of this as well as of all our previous births and grant us Moksha. Various rituals and sacrifices that we mortals may conduct to dilute our sins and gain papa may incur more sins if not done in the prescribed manner. Hence, in this Kali Yuga, Hari Nama Japam is both necessary and sufficient to take us to the feet of the Lord. This Sloka is also called the Charam Sloka, since it gives us the essence of Gita.

The phala sruti in Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram was not just an add-on by someone trying to popularize the Stotram, but is an integral part of the Mahabharata text. Both Sri Sankara and Sri Parasara Bhatta have written commentaries to the phala sruti slokas. Thus, what is stated in the phala sruti has its authority from those who are worthy of great respect from us, and who have found it fit to comment and elaborate on the advice and information given to us through the phala sruti.

It is true that the phala sruti says that anything that is desired can be obtained if the prayer is sincere and offered with devotion. However, it is up to those who seek benefits through prayers that they should seek things that elevate them in life rather than lower them. An example of the latter type is the case of the evil king Ravana, who had prayed and obtained enormous powers through his prayers to Lord Siva. In the end, he lost all he had including himself by the misuse of his powers.

Who can chant the Vishnu Sahasranama?

Every human being has the privilege to chant the Vishnu Sahasranama, be it men or women, and be they of any caste. The only pre-requisite for chanting is Bhakti. Even if Bhakti is as small as a seed, be convinced that it would soon grow in to a huge tree. One need not fear that they do not know the correct pronunciation. Lord is as compassionate as a mother is to a child. She is the one who teaches the child to speak. So initially even if the child makes mistakes, the mother knows what the child wants to say. Some may think they do not know the meaning, hence hesitate to chant. Mantras are vibrations that are impregnated with energy. Just chanting or even being in the presence of people chanting the VS, is beneficial. But knowing the meanings are of great value to appreciate the divine qualities of the LORD. Hence, with the blessings of the Lord, I will try to compile the meanings from a couple of different

commentaries for the benefit of the members.