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Listen
to Audio 
of the Vishnu Sahasranam
(includes introductory verses)
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. 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 more than ten times
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 "Vishwam"
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."
Vishnu means "the all-pervading Divinity." There
are many sahasranam hymns (thousand names) to various deities
like the Shiva Sahasranam which Sage Parashara also recommends
in the Brihat Parasahara Hora Shastra. But of all
remedial measures like puja (worship), giving charities, yagya
(fire ceremony), mantra recitation, he gives primary importance
to the Vishnu Sahasranam.
Copyright 2006. Vaughn Paul
Manley. All Rights Reserved.
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