Guest guest Posted August 29, 2008 Report Share Posted August 29, 2008 Vishnu sahasranama is one of the three jewels of Mahabharatha, the other two being, Bhagavatgita and Sanathsujaatheeya. While Bhagavatgita was expounded by Krishna in the battlefield, Sanathsujaatheeya was told to Dhrtharaashtra by Sanathkumara on being requested by Vidhura. The Vishnu sahasranama was expounded by Bhishma at the end of Mahabharatha war. Yudhishtira, goaded by Krishna went to Bhishma, who was lying on the bed of arrows waiting for the Uththarayana punyakala to leave his mortal coils. E had the boon of Ichchamrtyu, the power to die whenever he wished. Krishna who gave the discourse of Gita to Arjuna did not advise Yudhishtira Himself but made him go to Bhishma to learn about dharma because He wanted Yudhishtira to learn the greatness of Narayana bhakthi and also to show the world the greatness of Bhishma. The Lord willed Yudhishtira to ask the questions `Kimekam dhaivatham loke' and `Ko dharmah sarvadharmaanaam bhavathah paramo mathah' in order to elicit the Vishnusahasranama from the mouth of Bhishma, for his own benefit, as it purifies the one who recites aswellas the one ho hears it. Yudhishtira, after listening to the discourse on dharma from Bhishma, asked him six questions. 1. `Kimekam dhaivatham loke', who is the supreme deity? 2. `Kimvaapyekam parayanam', which is the supreme goal? 3. & 4. Sthuvanthah kam, kamarchanthah praapnuyurmaanavaasshubham', praising whom and worshipping whom men attain happiness? 5.Ko dharmah sarvadharmaanaam bhavathah paramo mathah,' what is, in your opinion , the best dharma of all? 6.Kim japan muchyathe janthuh janma samsarabhandhanaath,' meditation on whom leads one to salvation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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