VISHNU SAHASRA NAMAM - Courtesy ARUN

[Guest guest]

245. Naaraayanah -This simple sacred word has an endless number of

direct and indirect meanings, imports and suggestions, and Vyasa

seems to have explored almost all its possibilities.

 

1. The Shelter (Ayanam) for man (Nara) is Naaraayana.

 

2. The term Nara implies the ego-centric individuality and a large

collection of them is called Naara and the One who is the sole

refuge for the entire living creatures is called Naaraayanah.

 

3. Nara also means Eesvara and the elements (Tattvas) born out of

Him are called Naara; and One who is the controller, the regulator,

the very source of all Existence. in these very Tattvas is called

Naaraayanah.

 

4. Naaraah also mean " waters " . According to the picture painted in

the Puranas of the Deluge, wherein the names, and forms devolve

themselves into their elemental waters, the Lord is objectively

described as lying alone upon the waters, the Eternal baby, floating

upon a banyan leaf. " Holding in His Lotus-hand His own Lotus-feet,

and sucking His own toe with His Lotus-lips, the Lotus child resting

playfully upon a banyan leaf, floating up on the waters of the

Deluge-I meditate. "

 

It is in this sense, we find Manu interpreting the

word " Naaraayana " . In the great devotional classic, Bhaagavatam, we

find very many suggestions digged out of this sacred name; such as

the `Self of all bodies', " the Dynamic Force behind matter " , " the

Witness of all good and bad " . All these indicate that Sri Narayana

is nothing other than the Glory (Ayanam) of the Self.