Vishnu Sahasranama
| Vishnu Sahasranama | |
|---|---|
 Vishnusahasranama manuscript, c. 1690 | |
| Information | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Author | Vyasa |
| Verses | 108 |
| Part of a series on |
| Vaishnavism |
|---|
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The Vishnu Sahasranama
Etymology
In
The phalashruti (meritorious verse) of the hymn says that one who reads the text every day with full devotion achieves name, fame, wealth and knowledge in his life.[3][4]
Interpretations
The Vishnu Sahasranama is popular among Hindus, and a major part of prayer for devout Vaishnavas, or followers of Vishnu. While Vaishanvas venerate other deities, they believe that the universe, including the other divinities such as Shiva and Devi, are ultimately a manifestation of the Supreme Vishnu. Despite the existence of other sahasranamas of other gods, referring a sahasranama as "The Sahasranama," generally refers to the Vishnu Sahasranama alone, thereby indicating its wide popularity and use.[5]
Two of the names in Vishnu Sahasranama that refer to Shiva are "Shiva" (names # 27 and # 600 in
However, this interpretation of the name Shiva has been challenged by Swami
However, the Vaishnava commentator, Parasara Bhattar, a follower of
In the
In other Vaishnava traditions too, the Vishnu Sahasranama is considered an important text. Within
Within
- Interpretations alluding to the power of God in controlling karma
Many names in the Vishnusahasranama, the thousand names of Vishnu allude to the power of God in controlling
Other names of Vishnu alluding to this nature of God are Bhavanah, the 32nd name, Vidhata, the 44th name, Apramattah, the 325th name, Sthanadah, the 387th name and Srivibhavanah, the 609th name.
- General thoughts
Sections from
Merits of recitation
Believers in the recitation of the Sahasranama claim that it brings unwavering calm of mind, complete freedom from stress and brings eternal knowledge. In orthodox Hindu tradition, a devotee should daily chant the
Shlokas
- Recitation and aggregation
An alternative approach is to say the starting prayer, and then say the names collected in stanzas (As they were originally said by Bhishma.) Such stanzas are called Slokas in Sanskrit. The Sahasranama (apart from the initial and concluding prayers) has a total of 108 shlokas.
For example, the first sloka is:
- om visvam vishnur-vashatkaro bhutbhavyabhavatprabhuh
- bhutkrd bhutbhrd-bhaavo bhutatma bhutabhavanah
Notice the aggregation of several words and the omission of their intervening spaces. For example, the last word of the first line of this Sloka:
- bhutabhavya-bhavatprabhuh
corresponds to:
- om bhutabhavya bhavat prabhave namah
of the expanded version.
This joining-together of words is a common feature of Sanskrit and is called
Mentions, Quotes and Commentaries
Mentions
- Ramanujacharya had said that Vishnusahasranama absolves people of all sins and has no equal[18]
- Sastras and that each word of the Sahasranama had 100 meanings.[18]
- Swaminarayan, founder of the Hindu Swaminarayan faith, said in verse 118 of the scripture, Shikshapatri, that one should "either recite or have the 10th canto,(of Bhagavata Purana ) and also other holy scriptures like the "Vishnusahasranama" recited at a holy place according to one's capacity. "The recital is such that it gives fruits according to whatever is desired."[19]
- Swaminarayan also said in verses 93–96, "I have the highest esteem for these eight holy scriptures: 1-4)the four Vedas, 5) the Vyas-Sutra,(i.e., Brahma Sutras, 6) the Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7) Shri Vishnusahasranama in the Mahabharata, and 8) the Yajnavalkya Smrti which is at the center of the Dharma Scriptures; and all My disciples who wish to prosper should listen to these eight holy scriptures, and the brahmanas under my shelter should learn and teach these holy scriptures, and read them to others."
- Swami Sivananda, in his twenty important spiritual instructions, stated that the Vishnusahasranama, along with other religious texts, should be studied systematically.[20]
Quotes
- Sri N. Krishnamachari, a Vaishnavitescholar, at Stephen Knapp's website, quoting Vaishnavite scholars, states that there are six reasons for the greatness of Vishnusahasranama:
- 1) "Vishnusahasranama is the essence of the Mahabharata;
- 2) Great sages such as Narada, the Alvars, and composers including Saint Tyagaraja have made repeated references to the "Thousand Names of Vishnu" in their devotional works;
- 3) The person who strung together the thousand names as part of the Mahabharata and preserved it for the world was none other than Sage Veda Vyasa, the compiler of the Vedas;
- 4) Bhishma considered chanting of the Vishnusahasranama the best and easiest of all dharmas, or the means to attain relief from all bondage;
- 5) It is widely accepted that the chanting this Stotram gives relief from all sorrows, and leads to happiness and peace of mind;
- 6) Vishnusahasranama is in conformity with the teachings of the Gita."[21]
- Quote by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada; on February 15, 1970, to J.F.Staal; Professor of Philosophy and of South Asian Languages. Second paragraph, states:
In this way we find all the scriptures aiming at the Supreme Person. In the Rig Veda (1.22.20) the mantra is om tad vishnoh paramam padam sada pashyanti surayah ("The demigods are always looking to that supreme abode of Vishnu"). The whole Vedic process, therefore, is to understand Lord Vishnu, and any scripture is directly or indirectly chanting the glories of the Supreme Lord, Vishnu.”[22]
sri rama rama rameti rame rame manorame
sahasranama tat tulyam rama nama varanane
This translates to:
O Varanana (lovely-faced lady), I chant the holy name of Rama, Rama, Rama and thus constantly enjoy this beautiful sound. This holy name of Sri Rama is equal to one thousand holy names of Lord Vishnu." (Brhad Visnusahasranamastotra, Uttara-khanda, Padma Purana 72.335)
- Brahmānda Puranasaid:
sahasra-namnam punyanam, trir-avrttya tu yat phalam
ekavrttya tu krsnasya, namaikam tat prayacchati
This translates to:
"The pious results (punya) achieved by chanting the thousand holy names of Vishnu (Vishnusahasranama-Stotram) three times can be attained by only one utterance of the holy name of Krishna."
- Krishna Himself said:
yo mam nama sahasrena stotum icchati pandava
sohamekena slokena stuta eva na samsaya
This translates to:
"Arjuna, One may be desirous of praising by reciting the thousand names. But, on my part, I feel praised by one
sloka. There is no doubt about it.”
- From the oldest scriptural text in Hinduism, the Rig Veda; I.156.3b,[23]it states:
"O ye who wish to gain realization of the Supreme Truth, utter the name of "Vishnu" at least once in the steadfast faith that it will lead you to such realization."
Commentaries
The Vishnu Sahasranama has been the subject of numerous commentaries:
- Adi Shankara of Advaita Vedanta wrote a definitive commentary on the Sahasranama in the 8th century.
- Parasara Bhattar, a follower of Ramanuja, wrote a commentary in the 12th century, detailing the names of Vishnu from a Vishishtadvaita perspective, in the book titled Bhagavath Guna Dharpanam (or Bhagavad Guna Dharpana, meaning reflections of the Lord's qualities).[24][25]
- Madhvacharya of Dvaita Vedanta asserted that each name in the sahasranama has a minimum of 100 meanings.
- Vidyadhiraja Tirtha (died 1392) (disciple of Jayatirtha) of Dvaita Vedanta wrote a commentary on Vishnu Sahasranama called Viṣṇusahasranāmavivṛti.[26]
- Satyanidhi Tirtha (died 1660) of Dvaita Vedanta wrote Vishnu Sahasranama Vyakhyana, a commentary on Vishnu Sahasranama.[27]
- Satyasandha Tirtha (died 1794) of Dvaita Vedanta wrote Viṣṇusahasranāmabhāṣya, a commentary on Vishnu Sahasranama.[28]
- Baladeva Vidyabhushana (18th Century) of Acintya-bhedābheda school of Vedānta wrote Nāmārtha-sudhā, a commentary on Viṣṇu-sahasra-nāma.[29][30]
See also
- Hare Krishna
- Sandhyavandhanam
- Brahmin
- Bhadrakalpikasutra
- Vaijanthimala
Notes
- tatpurushacompound
Bibliography
- Sharma, B. N. Krishnamurti (2000). A History of the Dvaita School of Vedānta and Its Literature, Vol 1. 3rd Edition. Motilal Banarsidass (2008 Reprint). ISBN 978-8120815759.
Footnotes
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Sahasranama". 2 October 2023.
- ^ Shri Vishnu Sahasranamam - Phala Sruthi, archived from the original on 22 December 2021, retrieved 12 October 2021
- ^ Aiyangar, Sridhar (31 December 2017). "SRI VISHNU SAHASRANAMAM (PHALASHRUTI) – FINAL PART (117)". Divya Kataksham. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
- ^ Tapasyananda, pg. iv.
- ^ Commentary to sloka 13, "yatra puMliGgashabdaprayOgaH, tatra viSNurvishESyaH; yatra strIliMga shabdaH, tatra dEvatA prayOgaH; yatra napuMsaliGga prayOgaH, tatra brahmEti vishEshyatE (where a word of masculine gender is used, the noun is Vishnu, in feminine gender the noun is Devata, and in neuter gender the noun is Brahma)", Transcription of Sankara's commentary to Vishnusahasranamastotra
- ^ Commentary to sloka 17 in Transcription of Sankara's commentary to Vishnusahasranamastotra, "sivAdi nAmabhiH hariH eva stUyate"
- ^ (Internet Archive copy)
- ^ a b Tapasyananda, pg. 47.
- ^ Bhag-P 4.4.14 "Siva means mangala, or auspicious"
- ^ "Srivaishnavism". Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2008.
- ^ Foreword of P. Sankaranarayan's translation of Vishnu Sahasranama, Bhavan's Book University
- ^ Tapasyananda, Swami. Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, pg. 62.
- ^ Tapasyananda, Swami. Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, pgs. 48, 49, 87, 96 and 123.
- ^ a b Tapasyananda, Swami. Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, pg. 48.
- ^ "MAHABHARATA retold by C". Archived from the original on 21 December 2004. Retrieved 16 December 2004., story #53
- ^ Bhaja Govindam: kamakoti.org
- ^ a b c "On the Buddha in verse". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 16 December 2005. Archived from the original on 21 January 2007.
- ^ "Shree Swaminarayan Temple Cardiff - Scriptures - Shikshapatri". Archived from the original on 21 March 2007. Retrieved 3 October 2006.
- ^ 20 Important Spiritual Instructions
- ^ "Thousand Names of the Supreme".
- ^ The Krishna Consciousness Movement is the Genuine Vedic Way
- ^ "The Rig Veda".
- ^ Sri Vishnu sahasranama : With the bhashya of Sri Parasara Bhattar : With translation in English /. Sri Visishtadvaita Pracharini Sabha. 8 August 1983.
- ^ "Antaryami.net". Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- ^ Sharma 2000, p. 452.
- ^ Sharma 2000, p. 496.
- ^ Sharma 2000, p. 508.
- ^ Narang, Sudesh (1984). The Vaisnava Philosophy According to Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa. Nag Publishers.
- ISBN 978-91-7149-661-4.
References
- Sankaranarayan, P. (1996), Śrī Viṣṇu Sahasranāma Stotram, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. With an English Translation of Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada's Commentary
- Tapasyananda, Swami, Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, Chennai: Sri Ramakrishna Math. Sanskrit and English, with an English translation of Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada's commentary.
Further reading
- Sanskrit & Hindi: Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, Gita Press, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh 273005, India
- Sanskrit & English: The Thousand Names of Vishnu and the Satyanarayana Vrat, translated by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Devi Mandir, Napa.
Other translations:
- Sanskrit & Gujarati: Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram; translated by Shri Yogeshwarji, India @ www.swargarohan.org
- Sanskrit & English: Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram; translated by Swami Vimalananda, Sri Ramakrishna Tapovanam, Tiruchirapalli, India, 1985
External links
