(comprehensive), The Thousand Holy Names of ... - Mandhata Global
(comprehensive), The Thousand Holy Names of ... - Mandhata Global
(comprehensive), The Thousand Holy Names of ... - Mandhata Global
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Çré Viñëusahasranäma<br />
Yudhiñöhéra’s dear grandfather was dying. With Bhéçma’s<br />
passing, his spiritual wisdom, distilled from the experiences <strong>of</strong><br />
his long life <strong>of</strong> virtue, righteousness and devotion, would soon<br />
be lost. Yudhiñöhéra, now emperor <strong>of</strong> a vast empire, would be<br />
bereft <strong>of</strong> his guidance.<br />
Vyäsadeva the incarnation <strong>of</strong> God as a great sage, and Çré<br />
Kåñëa the Supreme Personality <strong>of</strong> Godhead both advised<br />
Yudhiñöhéra, himself an epitome <strong>of</strong> righteousness and virtue, to<br />
approach Bhéçma and seek his advice on all subjects on which<br />
he had any doubts. Yudhiñöhéra, with characteristic humility,<br />
did as Kåñëa advised, and a series <strong>of</strong> intense and poignant<br />
dialogs between him and Bhéçma ensued, witnessed by Lord<br />
Çré Kåñëa and by many other great personalities including<br />
Vyäsadeva and Lord Çiva.<br />
In one <strong>of</strong> these conversations, Yudhiñöhéra asked Bhéçma for<br />
the easiest and best means by which mankind can attain lasting<br />
happiness, peace <strong>of</strong> mind, and relief from all bondage and<br />
sorrow. Driven by his conscientious, responsible approach to<br />
his duty <strong>of</strong> ruling over his kingdom, Yudhiñöhéra was, in effect,<br />
asking Bhéçma to help him establish a state policy for<br />
management <strong>of</strong> religious affairs that would maximize the<br />
spiritual benefit for the citizens. In response Bhéçma imparted<br />
Çré Viñëusahasranäma with the eternal spiritual welfare <strong>of</strong> the<br />
general population in mind.<br />
<strong>The</strong> commentaries <strong>of</strong> the great äcäryas on Çré<br />
Viñëusahasranäma (over forty <strong>of</strong> them are extant) generally<br />
identify six reasons for its greatness:<br />
16<br />
1. Çré Viñëusahasranäma is the essence <strong>of</strong> Mahäbhärata.<br />
2. Great sages such as Närada, the Alwars, and composers<br />
such as Tyägaräja have made repeated references to Çré<br />
Viñëusahasranäma in their devotional works.<br />
3. Çréla Vedavyäsa—who composed Çré<br />
Viñëusahasranäma, included it in Mahäbhärata and<br />
thus preserved it for the benefit <strong>of</strong> the whole world—<br />
was celebrated as the foremost knower <strong>of</strong> the Vedas,<br />
and respected as an incarnation <strong>of</strong> Viñëu (vyäsäya viñëu<br />
rupäya vyäsa rupäya viñëave namo).
Change language