By Vaughn
Paul Manley, M.A.
Sri Vishnu
The All-Pervading Divinity
In the classic text, the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra,
the Sage Parashara frequently recommends the recitation of the
Vishnu Sahasranam, the thousand names of Vishnu, as the best
remedial measure for planetary afflictions. Vishnu means "the
all-pervading Divinity." See the following verse:
"The most effective and beneficial remedial measure
for the prolongation of longevity and to obtain relief from
other evil effects is recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam."
ch 56 verse 30
Sage Parashara mentions this practice on at least 10 different
occasions in his text. Here's another verse:
"The remedial measure to obtain relief from the above
evil effects, is recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam."
ch 59 verse 77
Sri K.N. Rao is also a strong proponent of this practice. Not
only does he recite it everyday himself but he regularly recommends
it to clients.
Traditionally, students of Sanskrit were often required to memorize
the Vishnu Sahasranam. It takes about 20 minutes to recite depending
on the speed of recitation. While recitation is preferred, just
listening to the recitation by an audio recording also gives
great benefit. Another form of practice is to read the text
along with the translation so that the meaning also becomes
integrated. Another practice is just to take one name and meditate
on it's meaning. For instance, the first of the thousand names
is "Vishvam" which translates as "the
All," and one could contemplate the meaning of this
name as a meditative practice.
The Vishnu Sahasranam was mentioned in the great epic text The
Mahabharata. The 1000 names were handed down to Yudhisthira
by sage Bhishma while he was on his death bed at the battle
of Kurukshetra. Yudhisthira asked Bhishma the following questions:
1. Who is the one Lord of all in this universe?
2. What is that one supreme goal which one should seek to attain?
3. Who is the one Divinity by praising and by worshiping whom
a man attains good?
4. Which is that highest form of Dharma that is capable of bestowing
salvation and prosperity on man?
5. What is that by reciting which any living being can attain
freedom from cycle of births and deaths?
Sage Bhishma answered by stating that mankind will be free from
all sorrows by chanting the Vishnu Sahasranam. He said, "That
man who hears the names every day or who recites them every
day, never meets with any evil either here or hereafter."
This quote suggests that it's not necessary to recite the sahasranam
oneself to get the benefit, but can simply be listened to on
an audio recording.
There are many sahasranam hymns (thousand names) to various
deities like the Sri Lalita Sahasranam or the Shiva Sahasranam,
which Sage Parashara also recommends in the Brihat Parasahara
Hora Shastra. But of all remedial measures like puja (worship),
yagya (fire ceremony), mantra recitation, giving charities,
he gives primary importance to the Vishnu Sahasranam.
See the
transliteration of Vishnu Sahasranam
Copyright
2010. Vaughn Paul Manley. All Rights Reserved. |
