Essentials of Hinduism - Sahasranamas And Mahanyasaha

Essentials of Hinduism

Sahasranamas And Mahanyasaha

Parvati asks Shiva:

In this mundane world, people are immersed with problems in the daily chore of duties that hardly leaves any time for prayers and much less time to chant this Sahasranama. Realizing this perennial problem of mankind, Parvati asks Shiva whether there is an easy method of Prayer that can match the chanting of the Thousand Names of Lord Vishnu to attain the Same Benefits.

Shiva Answers Parvati’s Question:

Shiva replied-”Chanting the glorious and the sacred name of Sri Rama thrice definitely equals the recitation of Thousand Names of Vishnu in the Vishnu Sahasranama.

Note: This is meant to be followed only when one is truly busy on certain days with daily chores and could not find time to do the full recitation of the Vishnu Sahasranama.

Indepth Explanation of Shiva’s Answer:

For the Word “Rama”, the Mathematical code according to Katapayadi system are: Ra=2; Ma=5. Rama=2x5=10. By chanting Rama three times, the Mathematical Weight for chanting of Rama three times becomes=10x10x10=1,000. However, even one time chant of Rama sincerely is equal to chanting of 1000 names of Vishnu.

The Word “Sahasra” means One-Thousand; “Nama” means Name. Therefore, Sahasranama means Thousand Names. Sahasranama Stotras are available in Praise of Several Gods and Goddesses. We will describe below the Details of the two popular ones:

(1) Sri Vishnu Sahasranama; and

(2) Sri Lalitha Sahasranama.

(1) VISHNU SAHASRANAMA STOTRA:

Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra – the 1000 Names of Lord Vishnu – is extremely Popular Hymn among all the Hindus. This is so popular that by saying Sahasranama it means Vishnu Sahasranama only. This is one of the most chanted Spiritual Text extolling (praising) the virtues of Lord Vishnu in Thousand Names.

The contents of the Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra can be briefly explained as follows:

i) Sri Vishvaksena Dhyanam: Suklambaradharam.......Sarvavighnopasantaye.

ii) Sri Vyasa Dhyanam: Vyasam .......Taponidhim.

iii) Sri Vishnu Dhyanam: Avikaraya.......Prabhavishnave.

iv) Then we have sayings by Sri Vaisampayana, Yuddishtira etc followed by Dhyana Slokas.

v) Finally we have the 107 Stotras of Vishnu Sahasranama that contain the Thousand Names of Lord Vishnu.

vi) The last part is the Phala Stuti. This Part describes in detail the various benefits one can be Blessed for the sincere reading of this text in all Devotion. The list includes Fame and Name, Personal and Family Gains, Freedom from the Materials Bondage, getting rid of Anger, Fear, Desires etc and Ultimate Bliss.

The Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra originated in the Epic of Mahabharata. Compiled by the Great Vyasa it was revealed to Yuddishtira, the Eldest of the Pandava Brothers by the Grandsire Bhishma lying on the bed of arrows after the end of Mahabharata War, and, Lord Krishna witnessing it all. We know of no other text that was done in the presence of any of the Gods.

The text begins with Salutations to Vyasa and Yuddishtira’s six Questions to Bhishma on Dharma, Divinity and Prayer:

Who is the only Divine Being in the Universe ?

Who is the One to be Meditated upon ?

Who is the One to be Worshipped ?

Who is the One to be Praised to attain all the Goodness ?

Whom to Pray for release from Samsara (Cycle of Births and Deaths) ?

Which is the Greatest of all the Dharmas ?

And Bhishma Answers the Questions though not in the same order:

Lord Vishnu is Supreme, One without a Beginning or the End;

He is the One to be Worshipped, Meditated upon and Praised;

He is the One who can ward off all the evils and ills in One’s Life.

Lord Vishnu is the Purest of the Pure, God of all the Gods, the Eternal Bliss, and, the Source of Creation and Destruction in Every Yuga.

Here is a Sampling to know the Power of this Vishnu Sahasranama. Yuddishtira asks the following Questions to Bhishmapitamaha:

1) Stuvantah Kam Kamarchantah Prapnuyur Manavaasshubham?

Meaning: By “Praying Whom” does the Mankind attain Peace and Happiness.

2) Kim Japan Muchyate Jantu Janma Samsara BanDanat?

Meaning: By “What Prayer” can the Creatures be Liberated from the Samsara (the cycle of Births and Deaths)?

Bhishmapitamaha Answers:

Jagat Prabhum Devadevam Anantam Purushottamam; Stuvan Nama Sahasrena Purushah Satatottithah.

Meaning:

When One Worships Vishnu who is the Lord of the Universe, the Lord of the time – present, past and future, God of the Gods, the Infinite, the perfect person, and the One with a Thousand Names, One would be protected.

Vishnu Sahasranama is a matchless, potent, peace giving form of Prayer. It carries enormous Energy and reflects that Energy when recited. Chant it, Pray with it, Experience by it and Benefit from it. Even listening to Vishnu Sahasranama has immense Benefits. There are no restrictions in reciting the Sahasranama other than Deep Faith in Him. It can be Recited Anywhere, by Anyone, at Any Time. It is a Miracle Medicine that provides Strength to recover from all Ailments quickly. All that is needed is a lot of Faith in it.

(2) LALITHA SAHASRANAMA STOTRA:

This Hymn is known as Lalitha Sahasranama or One Thousand Names of the Divine Mother Lalitha Parameswari. The opening verse of the Hymn describes the descent of the Divine Mother, Mother of All seated on the Lion, and so on. Later the Hymn describes Her Divine Form and depicts Her holding a noose (meaning: a loop with a knot that gets closer the more it is drawn) in one of her four arms, goad (meaning: a pointed rod) in another arm, sugarcane bow in yet another arm etc. Her magnificent body bathes the Entire Universe with enchanting light. Her sparkling eyes moves in beauty. Her nasal ornaments dazzles like the twinkling stars etc.

The Hymn goes on to describe the seven Chakras – Muladhara, Svadhistana, Manipura, Anahata, Visuddha, Ajna and Sahasrara – Through these Charkas the Kundalini Energy has to pass before uniting with Lord Shiva residing in the Sahasrara Chakra. Her Limitless Grace puts an end to sorrows and bestows happiness on Her Devotees. She is Auspicious and advances her Devotees both Materially and Spiritually. She is Eternal, Flawless and Unlimited. She is difficult to reach but not to Her Sincere Devotees. As Creator She is Brahma, as Protector She is Govinda, and, as Destroyer She is Rudra. She Bestows Her Grace and brings Joy to those who are afflicted with the triple miseries on account of Physical and Mental causes.

The concluding Verse of this hymn describes the Oneness of Shiva and Shakthi. Lalitha Sahasranama Hymn is recommended only for Those who are Pure in their Hearts. Chanting of the Hymn removes Pain, Suffering, and Averts untimely Death. May We All receive the Infinite Blessings of the Divine Mother!

(3) MAHANYASAHA STOTRA:

The performance of Shiva Aradhana is the right remedy to ward off ill effects of our poorva karma and to mitigate the sufferings in this birth, as they accrue due to actions done knowingly and unknowingly.

“Nyasaha” is touching the body to invoke Deities and purify them. By the Mahanyasaha recitation, Lord Shiva is brought into the person’s body as he performs Nyasahas on his body. The holy Mantras recited for the Abhisheka of Lord Shiva and the Nyasahas in use are very elaborate and are collectively called the Mahanyasaha. It requires the devotee to be full bathed for physical cleanliness, maintain mental purity, true devotion, maintain concentration, knowledgeable in vedic chantings, has to be learned properly from a Guru, and chanted with perfection. Lord Shiva is worshipped as a kind Divinity, easy to please, a Great Yogi, and likes to be bathed. Mahanyasaha recitation is usually done on the Sivaratri night and on the Prodosha nights (13th day after the Full Moon and New Moon).

Briefly stated, the Mahanyasaha begins with Ganapathy puja, and consists of several rituals and chants with a series of Nyasahas, Hamsa Gaytri, Aatma Raksha Mantras, Shiva Sankalpa, Purusha Sukta, Uma-Maheshwara Dhyana etc., and concludes with the Lagunyasaha. All these recitations will take nearly two hours and will purify the heart, head, tuft (a bunch of flexible organs such as hairs), and protect the eyes of the devotee.

It is highly recommended to include the chanting of “Aatma Raksha Mantras” in a devotee’s daily prayers in order to provide raksha (protection) to his Jivatma located inside the lotus of the heart. This Mantra goes like this: Brahmaatmanvasrujata........ Aatmane Namaha.

Chapter Re-cap:

1) When chanted with Absolute Devotion and Correct Pronounciation, Vishnu Sahasranama can lead one to Mental Peace and Prosperity in this Materialistic World.

2) In all Earnestness, we have to try to include Vishnu Sahasranama, this Sacred Hymn in our Daily Prayers. If this is not possible due to the modern day busy schedules, atleast chant Sri Rama Rama Rameti... Three Times Daily. However, definitely try to make it a Habit to chant Vishnu Sahasranama every Saturday.

3) Try to Teach our children the Spiritual Value of Vishnu Sahasranama and Propogate it among all the Hindus for the Benefit and Welfare of All Mankind!

4) Fridays are Auspicious for Devi Pujana. Therefore, try to chant Lalitha Sahasranama Every Friday.

5) Mahanyasaha recitation is usually done on the Sivaratri night and on the Prodosha nights (13th day after the Full Moon and New Moon).

This article is a snippet from the Book Essentials of Hinduism, Authored by G.S Nilakantan. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.

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