The Vishnu Sahasranamam (literally, "the Thousand Names of Vishnu") is a revered hymn from the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, consisting of a list of 1,000 names of Lord Vishnu. This sacred text is widely recited by devotees as a form of worship and meditation. The narration of the Vishnu Sahasranamam takes place in the Anushasana Parva (Book of Instructions), the 13th book of the Mahabharata.
Narration and Participants
- Who Narrated the Vishnu Sahasranamam to Whom?
- The Vishnu Sahasranamam was narrated by Bhishma Pitamah, the grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, to the Pandava prince Yudhishthira.
- Context of the Divine Speech:
- After the Kurukshetra War, Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, was filled with remorse and grief over the loss of life and sought guidance on how to lead a righteous life and attain peace.
- At this time, Bhishma was lying on a bed of arrows (Shara-Shayya) awaiting his death. He was blessed with the boon of "Ichha Mrityu" (death at will), allowing him to choose the moment of his death. Bhishma was revered for his vast knowledge, wisdom, and righteousness.
- Questions from Yudhishthira:
- Yudhishthira approached Bhishma and asked him several questions, seeking answers to the greatest secrets of life:
- Who is the Supreme Deity?
- Whom should one worship to attain salvation (moksha) and peace?
- By chanting whose name can a person be released from the bondage of life and death?
- Yudhishthira approached Bhishma and asked him several questions, seeking answers to the greatest secrets of life:
- Response from Bhishma:
- In response to Yudhishthira's questions, Bhishma narrated the Vishnu Sahasranamam as the answer, glorifying Lord Vishnu as the Supreme Deity (Paramatma), whose thousand names represent his various attributes, forms, and incarnations.
- Bhishma explains that reciting these thousand names with devotion and sincerity would bestow spiritual benefits, peace, and ultimate liberation (moksha).
- Participants in the Divine Dialogue:
- Bhishma: The narrator of the Vishnu Sahasranamam. Despite being mortally wounded, he speaks with authority and devotion, revealing profound spiritual wisdom.
- Yudhishthira: The seeker of wisdom who poses the questions leading to the narration. His desire to find answers reflects his yearning for righteousness and salvation.
- Other Pandavas and Sages: The remaining Pandavas—Arjuna, Bhima, Nakula, and Sahadeva—are also present along with sages like Krishna, Vyasa, Narada, and others, listening to the sacred discourse.
Significance of the Vishnu Sahasranamam
- The Vishnu Sahasranamam is considered a powerful chant with the ability to remove sins, grant peace of mind, and lead to spiritual liberation. Each name of Vishnu in the hymn signifies a different attribute, form, or aspect of the divine, making it a comprehensive representation of the Supreme Being.
- Bhishma's recitation of the thousand names is also significant because it comes from a person of immense knowledge and virtue, emphasizing the importance of devotion and righteousness.
