VISHNU SAHASRANAAM

257. Vrishabhah -The term Vrisha though not very familiar now is used in the Vedic literature to indicate Dharma-“the essential nature of a thing without which the thing cannot remain as the thing” is its Dharma. One who showers all Dharmas is called Vrishabhah. In short, one who showers glowing health, burning devotion and thrilling silence on all sincere seekers and faithful devotees is Vrishabhah; and He is Sri Narayana.

258. Vishnuh -All-Pervading: Long-Strident. We had already explained this term earlier (2). In Mahabharata we also read the Lord Himself explaining to Arjuna, “Because I stand striding across the Universe (Kramanaat), O Partha, I am known as Vishnu.” -(Mahabharata 12-350-43).

In the Upanishad also we read, “Vishnu has spread Himself and conquered all these three worlds.

259. Vrishaparvaa -We had already explained that Vrisha means Dharma. The term Parvam means “Ladder”, “a flight of steps” that takes us to the Higher floors (Hence Parvata means mountain). Thus, here, the term is explained as a flight of steps on the ladder of life to take one to the Ultimate Reality, the Eternal (Sanaatana) Dharma: “1 am the way”. Vishnu is the One to worship at whose altar will facilitate the devotee’s steady evolution towards the experience of the Higher consciousness.

260. Vrishodarah -Vrisha, that which rains; Udara = belly. The idea here is the seat of all-creative thinking is resting on a psychic, centre, roughly indicated by the navel, and hence we find the description that the total Creator of the universe is sustained and held aloft at the navel of Maha Vishnu. During Pralaya (sleep) the “creative power” merges back to its source, and thereafter, upon waking, the creation again starts; the creative power” manifests itself and continues its creative activities, from the same point of Its merger, (Udara). This culminating point of all creation, during the time of the dissolution-which is also the same from wherein, during creation, the manifestations of names and forms spring forth (shower down = Vrisha)- is Vishnu, the Supreme, and hence, He is called as Vrishodarah, “the Showering Belly.”

261. Vardhanah -One who is the nurturer and nourisher everywhere, at all levels of life, both material and spiritual. In short, from the standpoint of the student, who is studying with devotion these “Thousand names of the Lord”, the term indicates that Vishnu is the Mighty Power that supplies all spiritual growth, provides all well-being and ultimately blesses all His devotees with the final Realization.

262 Vardhamaanah  -One who can grow Himself into any dimensions; ever-growing. Since the names and forms of the universe are ever dynamic and has the unseen movement of progressive evolution everywhere, the Lord is indicated here as this very “dimensional movement of progress” (Vardhana). (The Pauraanikas attribute that this name came to Him because He in His Vaamana incarnation grew

Himself to measure under His three steps the whole universe.

263. Viviktah -Alone=solitary. Every standing apart from everything. With reference to the dream and the dreamer, the waker is, we knew, indeed, separate. Similarly the world of names and forms and its joys and sorrows, passions and lusts, smiles and tears, though they all play in the Self, the Supreme is not affected by them.

The horrid “ghost” cannot affect the innocent “post”. One who thus remains alone and apart, in His Own Majesty and perfection, even when the world-of-Maayaa is heaving about is Viviktah. In the daily happenings of Samsar, in its births and deaths, He remains ever changeless and ever unaffected. This freedom is indicated in the Geeta and the Lord explains: “They are in me; I am not in them

264. Srutisaagarah -The ocean for all the rivers of all scriptural thoughts. All scriptures, irrespective of the age, language, tradition and beliefs, ultimately indicate a Theme which is ever the same. All scriptures are rivulets of thoughts, flowing through different terrains of national character and historical climates, gushing to reach forward the ocean of Perfection, which lies beyond the dark sorrows of mortality. That which is the goal of all Scriptures is the Immortal Bliss of God-consciousness, the Maha Vishnu.

Stanza 29

subhujo durdharo vaagmee mahendro vasudo vasuh
naika-roopo brihad-roopah sipivishtah prakaasanah.

265. Subhujah -He who has graceful arms. This need not be taken as a description of the physical beauty of the anatomical structure of the arms but since those arms are ever working in the service of His devotees on sheltering them (Abhaya) and in blessing them (Varada) they are full of grace and hence graceful.

266. Durdharah  -One who cannot be comprehended even by Great Yogis, who spend long periods of time in meditation. Transcending the mind and intellect is the “experience” of the Supreme and, therefore, the mind and intellect can never comprehend It.

267. Vaagmee -One who is eloquent of His Glory. The full sense or the term should embrace not only the eloquence in speech, but all physical capabilities in the world, all the Glories or the cosmos, all the beauties or the heart, the total might of the intellect-all are eloquent of His Glory. Through the scriptures of the world, it is again He, who speaks to us of our ultimate Harbour beyond the stormy seas; of Maayaa, in the simple words of brilliant suggestions declared by the Saints, Sages, Rishis, Prophets and other Divine Men.

268. Mahendrah -One who is Lord of even Indra, the Lord or gods. In philosophy the “Mind” is called lndra (lndriyaanaam Raajaa) and One who is the Lord of even the “mind” is the Self.

269. Vasudah -Vasu means wealth and, therefore Vasudah means One who enriches all, both in their outer prosperity and in their inner well-being. Once surrendered unto Him man learns to live ever in dynamic success, with all the glories of the loving heart, self-controlled mind, and contemplative intellect.

270. Vasuh –The term Vasu has got three meanings: Wealth (Dhana), Veil (Aacchaadana) and Sun (Aaditya); thus He is the One who manifests Himself in the form of the external wealth, for He, as the very sun, nurtures and nourishes the world. He is the One, who veils Himself from the comprehension and understanding of the unprepared men of evil temperaments and who possess no true devotion.

The term Vasu also can mean “One who lives in” (Vasati iti) all things and beings of the universe; or it can also mean as “One who allows all things and beings to exist in Himself” (Vaasayati iti). In Geeta and in the Upanishads we find the Infinite described as the very Indweller everywhere in His Eesvara status, and as the very substratum for the universe in the Pure Transcendental nature.

271. Naikaroopah -One who is of Infinite forms in his manifestations; the single waker’s mind becomes itself variegated to serve as the endless items of the dream-world. The One Supreme “Cause” of the whole Universe is Vishnu; and all “effects” are but different expressions of their “cause”. In a very familiar chant, traditionally repeated by all devotees, this Idea has been brought out beautifully.

Looking at Him through our distorting instruments of body-mind-intellect, we see the plurality, and only on transcending this equipment can we “experience” the Oneness of the Absolute Reality.

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