VISHNU SAHASRA NAMAM 122 - Courtesy ARUN

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(122) Mahaatapaah -One of great Tapas. The term tapas in Sanskrit has

three meanings: `Knowledge' (Jnaana), `Prosperity' (Aisvarya) and

also `Might' (Prataapa). It is in the presence of Consciousness that

we come to know all our experiences. `Conscious of' a thing or an idea

is the `Knowledge of' the thing or the idea. That about which I am not

conscious of, I have really no knowledge of it. All knowledges, of all

bosoms, in all living creatures, everywhere, at all times, cannot be

without the play of Consciousness upon the respective objects of

knowledge, and hence this Consciousness is indicated in the Upanishads

as Pure Knowledge, in the light of which alone all knowledges are

possible. All achievements and prosperity (Aisvarya), all might and

power of the living creatures can express themselves through them only

when they are alive. This great truth is Maha Vishnu. " Whose Tapas is

of the nature of Knowledge " (Mundaka- Upanishad. 1-1-9).