Vishnu Sahasranama
Introduction
Reference: Vishnusahasranama by Swami Dayananda Saraswati
Vishnusahasranama is praising Isvara with thousand words.
A devotee repeats the name of Isvara on a regular basis. A very inspired devotee repeats Isvara’s name constantly throughout the day.
Why should anyone repeat the names of Isvara? What are the benefits?
Why does Isvara has many names? What do they mean?
Isvara is the ruler, protector and sustainer of everything.
Isvara’s Lordship is final. There is no other entity who commands over Isvara.
Total overlordship belongs to Isvara. Hence Isvara’s another name is Bhagavan. |
Isvara is the cause of this universe – Jagat.
Jagat, the universe is intelligently put together. Isvara is the intelligent creator.
Isvara is neither localised within this universe nor external to this universe.
The very universe including time and space is Isvara, who is the maker and the material of this universe.
Jagat is only the names and forms of Isvara. Air, fire, water, earth, space is Isvara. All knowledge, human body, thought, consciousness is Isvara.
It is not that Isvara is everywhere, but everything is Isvara. |
A name is always recognised with a form. Any form can be reduced to another form which is finally reduced to Isvara, the cause.
All forms are manifestations of Isvara.
The forms in Jagat are countless. Thus Isvara has infinite names.
Vishnu Sahasranama is very important because Sankara has written a commentary.
Vishnu Sahasranama is found in 149 chapter of Anusasana parva of Mahabharata.
Composed by Sanaka, recited by Bhisma who was lying on the death bed of arrows.
Vishnusahasranama and Lalitha Sahasranama are the most popular sahasra namas.
