Sahasranama means a thousand names usually refers to Vishnu Sahasranama which is universally popular. The chanting of Vishnu sahasranama is prescribed as a means for the realisation of all kinds of desires - be they desires of worldly pleasures or heavenly bliss. The experience from people from early times proves that it is true.Phala sruti or the section towards the end which declares the benefits of chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama as a sure means for the attainment of all ends.
the scheme of Vishnu Sahasranama at its opening proves that it belongs to the Sattvika class of works. The great Mahabharata war was over. Bhisma the great warrior, was lying on a bed of arrows waiting for an auspicious time for shedding his body. He was an inexhaustible mine of all knowledge and wisdom. sri Krishna, who knew that with the death of Bhisma there would be an eclipse of all knowledge, did not want that it should happen. so he commanded Yudhisthira to go to the bed side of Bhisma so that he could receive instruction from him. Yudhisthira accordingly went to the place where Bhisma was lying and after saluting him requested him to enlighten him on the different dharmas. Bhisma was pleased and began to expound Raja Dharma, Stri Dharma, Moksha Dharma and so on. Yudhisthira continued to listen to the flow of the knowledge of the pure and purifying dharma from Bhisma and it increased his desire to learn more.
Yudhisthira said to Bhisma, "Revered Sir, you spoke to me about various dharmas. but I wish to know from you : Which is the Supreme Deity in this world? Which is the highest goal of attainment? By the praise of worship of which again will a man achieve all auspicious things? Above all which in your opinion is the highest of all dharmas? which is the means by which a man can attain the release from the bondage of this earth?"
to this question of the wise Yudhistira the reply of the all knowing Bhisma was as follows:
"Vishnu is the supreme Deity. He is the creator of all this universe and at the time of deluge it disappears into Him. Vishnu is the highest goal of Attainment since He is the purest of the pure, most auspicious of the auspicious, and most shining of shining. Bhaktiyoga is the means by which those who are competent can attain Him. But in regard to the destitute, the chanting of the thousand Names of Visnu is sufficient and it will grant all their desires. And in my considered opinion this is the greatest of all Dharmas."
Then Bhisma proceeded to describe the thousand names of Vishnu which go to make the Vishnu Sahasranama.
the scheme of Vishnu Sahasranama at its opening proves that it belongs to the Sattvika class of works. The great Mahabharata war was over. Bhisma the great warrior, was lying on a bed of arrows waiting for an auspicious time for shedding his body. He was an inexhaustible mine of all knowledge and wisdom. sri Krishna, who knew that with the death of Bhisma there would be an eclipse of all knowledge, did not want that it should happen. so he commanded Yudhisthira to go to the bed side of Bhisma so that he could receive instruction from him. Yudhisthira accordingly went to the place where Bhisma was lying and after saluting him requested him to enlighten him on the different dharmas. Bhisma was pleased and began to expound Raja Dharma, Stri Dharma, Moksha Dharma and so on. Yudhisthira continued to listen to the flow of the knowledge of the pure and purifying dharma from Bhisma and it increased his desire to learn more.
Yudhisthira said to Bhisma, "Revered Sir, you spoke to me about various dharmas. but I wish to know from you : Which is the Supreme Deity in this world? Which is the highest goal of attainment? By the praise of worship of which again will a man achieve all auspicious things? Above all which in your opinion is the highest of all dharmas? which is the means by which a man can attain the release from the bondage of this earth?"
to this question of the wise Yudhistira the reply of the all knowing Bhisma was as follows:
"Vishnu is the supreme Deity. He is the creator of all this universe and at the time of deluge it disappears into Him. Vishnu is the highest goal of Attainment since He is the purest of the pure, most auspicious of the auspicious, and most shining of shining. Bhaktiyoga is the means by which those who are competent can attain Him. But in regard to the destitute, the chanting of the thousand Names of Visnu is sufficient and it will grant all their desires. And in my considered opinion this is the greatest of all Dharmas."
Then Bhisma proceeded to describe the thousand names of Vishnu which go to make the Vishnu Sahasranama.
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