HIS best gift
Prayer is a wonderful way of expressing our gratitude to GOD and his benevolence. Prayer does not necessaril mean to ask GOD for any favours, it is a thanksgiving for keeping us alive today, for a good health, a peaceful state of mind and the benefits we enjoy than many many under-privileged people. This expression of thanking is done in many ways like chanting slokas, mantras, music, bhajans, harikathas etc etc. Among these, the most easier and affordable way to thank GOD is chanting slokas. Not everyone has a good a voice, not everyone is entitled to chant mantras but everyone has the privilege to chant slokas anytime and anywhere.
All slokas extol the LORD. His/HER greatness. Be it in Mahalakshmi ashtakam, or the ganesha pancharatnam, all of them praise the lord for what he is to us, his/her beautiful form, compassion, mercy, love and many many other qualitites. Among all the 1000s of chants available for us today, one of the most popular slokas is the Vishnu Sahasranama. A 1000 divine names of the lord Vishnu with each name depicting one of his many unique natures. Each and every great saint like Shri Adi Sankara, Shri Ramanuja, Shri Madhvacharya and others have written great commentaries on this.
Why is the Vishnu Sahasranama so important or rather good to chant. ?
When a child returns from school, it loves to narrate to its mother all that happened that day. He would love to tell his mom about his teacher, his friends and the special events at school. If his mom would do something that would make the child happy, the mom would get a lot of praise, a few hugs and kisses for being so special to her child. Little does the child know that all mothers are the same. It always looks towards it mom at times of success or failures.
In the same way, the Lord is our saviour and protector. He loves to listen to his devotees. When his devotees thank him and sing his praise, he is full of joy. This does not mean to say that GOD has emotions. He is beyond all feelings. The intention is: he wants his devotees to narrate to him, to have 100% faith in his powers. And he is ready to do anything for his bhakta, when we whole heartedly pray to HIM. For example, In gajendra moksham, when the elephant king's leg was caught by the corcodile, it called out to Lord narayana for help. The Lord in Vaikuntam, came so hurriedly from his abode and killed the crocodile to save his devotee. The lord need not have to come all the way from vaikuntam, He could have whirled his sudarshan chakra from his abode and saved the elephant. But the purpose is not that alone. It becomes a necessity to the Lord to appear and show his love to his devotee. When a mother comes to know that her child is not doing well, no matter where she is and how she is, she hurriedly comes to save her child. In the same way, the LORD, a universal mother cannot bear to see his devotees suffering. He is ever willing to help us. All he expects is a 100% faith which we refuse to give him. And that is the cause of all our suffering.
By chanting the Vishnu Sahasranama, we get our mind cleaned of all our illusions and develop unflinching bhakti.
Who was the first to chant the Vishnu Sahasranama and what are the circumstances that it came into being.?
There is an interesting story for this.
After the Mahabharata war, the Yudhistra, the eldest pandava was made king. The first job he did was to visit his grand-sire Bhishma who was lying in the bed of arrows waiting to give up the body and reach his final abode. The pandavas along with Shri Krishna went to Bhishma. Yudhishtra asked the following 6 important questions:
1.Who ("kim") is the greatest ("ekam") Lord ("daivatam") in the world ("loke")?
2. Who is the one ("ekam") refuge ("paraayanam") for all?
3. By glorifying ("sthuvantah") whom ("kam") can man ("manavah") reach the Auspiciousness ("shubam") (peace and prosperity)?
4. By worshipping ("archantah") whom, can a man reach auspiciousness (peace and prosperity)?
5. What ("ko") is, in thy opinion, the Greatest Dharma?
6. By doing japa of what can “creatures” (jantu) go beyond ("mutchyate") the bonds ("bandhanaath") of samsara?
The result of this is the flow of Vishnu Sahasranama from the lips of Bhishma. The beauty of this is that this was chanted in front of the lord himself. The Mahabharata is great in many ways but to us, it has given us two rare and precious gems by which we can attain moksha. The Bagavadgita where the Lord has taken the place of an acharya. The Gita which deals at length about karma, gnana and bhakti is a wonderful dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna The other is the Vishnu Sahasranama, where the lord is a spectator to his devotee's prayers. A 1000 names of the lord where each name attributes a special quality. Mere chanting gives us immense benefits. What to speak if we knew its meaning while chanting?.
What will we get if we chant this great sahasranama? Needless to say, we should pray for no benefit. Pray for the sake of praying and not for any favours. Did we ask for good parents, did we ask for a good education, did we ask for all the luxuries. Didn't we get without asking? When all these have come , our needs will be attended too, without asking. He will take care and give what is best for us.
However, whether you want it or not, chanting the Vishnu Sahasranama gives immense benefit depending with the intention we pray. The benefits according the phala stuti that comes at the end of the sahasranama are as follows:
That man who hears the names every day or who recites them every day, never meets with any evil either here or hereafter.
If a Brahmana does this, he succeeds in mastering the Vedanta.
If a Kshatriya does it, he becomes always successful in battle.
A Vaisya, by doing it, becomes possessed of affluence.
A Sudra earns great happiness.
If one becomes desirous of earning the merit of righteousness, one succeeds in earning it (by hearing or reciting these names).
If it is wealth that one desires, one succeeds in earning wealth (by acting in this way).
So also the man who wishes for enjoyments of the senses succeeds in enjoying all kinds of pleasures, and the man desirous of offspring acquires offspring (by pursuing this course of conduct).
That man who with devotion and perseverance and heart wholly turned towards him, recites these thousand names of Vasudeva every day, after having purified himself, succeeds in acquiring great fame, a position of eminence among his kinsmen, enduring prosperity, and lastly, that which is of the highest benefit to him (viz., emancipation itself).
Such a man never meets with fear at any time, and acquires great prowess and energy. Disease never afflicts him; splendor of complexion, strength, beauty, and accomplishments become his.
The sick become hale, the afflicted become freed from their afflictions; the affrighted become freed from fear, and he that is plunged in calamity becomes freed from calamity.
The man who hymns the praises of that foremost of Beings by reciting His thousand names with devotion succeeds in quickly crossing all difficulties.
That mortal who takes refuge in Vasudeva and who becomes devoted to Him, becomes freed of all sins and attains to eternal Brahma.
They who are devoted to Vasudeva have never to encounter any evil. They become freed from the fear of birth, death, decrepitude, and disease.
That man who with devotion and faith recites this hymn (consisting of the thousand names of Vasudeva) succeeds in acquiring felicity of soul, forgiveness of disposition, prosperity, intelligence, memory, and fame.
Neither wrath, nor jealousy, nor cupidity, nor evil understanding ever appears in those men of righteousness who are devoted to that foremost of beings.
This hymn in praise of the illustrious Vishnu composed by Vyasa, should be recited by that person who wishes to acquire happiness and that which is the highest benefit (viz., emancipation).
Those persons that worship and adore the Lord of the universe, that deity who is inborn and possessed of blazing effulgence, who is the origin or cause of the universe, who knows on deterioration, and who is endued with eyes that are as large and beautiful as the petals of the lotus, have never to meet with any discomfort.
Wow...looks like a whole bumper offer. Tempts anyone to chant and be blessed. So, let us start learning this at least with the intention of gaining these benefits, It may seem too long, feel it may take too long to learn, we may be too old to start off. But better late than never. Even one line or a couplet of lines everyday is enough to start off. Group chanting always helps one to learn faster and easier.
Let us climb one step. The lord will come down 10 steps and lift us. Let it start as a mundane job, bhakti will slowly flow in. Let it start with a inward force or an unwanted choice. The vibrations and the urge to chant more will slowly flow in. Let us make a beginning today...HE will continue the saga
I would recommend the following website for this great gift of bhishma. It has the sahasranama with meanings too. Also, some recommendations of particular couplets for different nakshatras (birth stars). But please don't restrict yourself to these lines alone. Try learning the entire sahasranamam. Let us try going beyond mere material happiness.
https://www.trsiyengar.com/id42.shtml
I would recommend the following website for this great gift of bhishma. It has the sahasranama with meanings too. Also, some recommendations of particular couplets for different nakshatras (birth stars). But please don't restrict yourself to these lines alone. Try learning the entire sahasranamam. Let us try going beyond mere material happiness.
https://www.trsiyengar.com/id42.shtml
Ram Ram
How do I attach a file here ?
ReplyDeleteI have a neat 5 page Satyanarayana story - that I got when I was in Pittsburgh US temple. I'd like to share it.
Shashi ( White House resident )
SRI SATYANARAYANA STORY
ReplyDeleteChapter I
Shaunaka and eighty eight thousand other rishis assembled at
the forest of Naimisharanya and asked Maharishi Soota, the
narrator of the Purana, "Oh Maharishi, please tell us how
mankind can attain salvation." Maharishi Soota answered, "Even
Narada Muni had asked Lord Vishnu, the consort of Lakshmi, the
same question! Let me repeat what Lord Vishnu told Narada.
Please listen carefully.
Narada, during one of his regular journeys to various worlds,
came to the earth. There he saw people suffering as a result of
their past deeds. To remove their suffering and offer salvation,
Narada traveled to Vishnu Loka and found Lord Vishnu adorned
with conch, chakra, gadha and lotus in his four hands, and a
garland around his neck. Narada spoke humbly,'Oh Supreme
Lord, the savior of the destitute and the troubled, I surrender at
thy feet.' Lord Vishnu greeted him and asked, 'tell me what you
want, and I will fulfill your wishes'. Narada replied, 'Oh Bhaga-
wan, people on earth are suffering in many ways as a result of
their past sinful deeds. Please bestow thy grace and reveal to me
as to how they can be helped.'Lord Vishnu replied,'Mankind
can rid itself of all its sorrows by performing a puja called Satya-
nararana Puja. This puja, when performed according to religious
rites, will bring happiness, peace of mind and wealth in this life,
and salvation beyond.' On hearing this, Narada was filled with
joy, and addressed Lord Vishnu, 'Oh Lord, in your infinite grace,
please tell me the details of the puja that you have just mentioned,
how and when to perform it and who has performed it before.'
Lord Vishnu answered- 'This puja can be performed on a
full moon day. One must invite his friends and relatives, and
perform the puja with devotion offering fruits, ghee, milk, curd,
butter, wheat flour. sugar and honey to God. After the puja is
completed he must read the story of Lord Satyanarayana, and
then distribute prasadam to everyone. The puja thus performed,
will bring fulfillment of one's wishes. Particularly, in the
Kaliyuga, this puja can bring contentment.'"
Chapter 2
ReplyDeleteMaharishi Soota continued addressing the assembled rishis,
"Oh rishis. I will now tell you who have all observed the Satya-
narayana vratha in the past.
Once, there lived a very poor brahmin in the beautiful city
of Kashi. Plagued by acute hunger, he used to wander about in
search of food. Lord Vishnu took the form of an old man,
appeared before the poor brahmin, and asked, 'Friend, why are
you wandering aimlessly?' The brahmin replied, 'Sir, I am a very
poor man. Unable to bear the pangs of hunger, I beg for alms.
Sir, if you know a way out of this misery, please tell me.' Lord
Vishnu, who was in the guise of an old man, replied, 'Oh
brahmin, Lord Satyanarayana grants the wishes of all his devotees,
and removes their sorrows. So, you should perform His puja, and
reap its benefits.' Lord Vishnu then explained the details of the
Satyanarayana Vratha to the brahmin, and disappeared.
The poor brahmin resolved to perform the puja. After a
sleepless night, he got up early in the morning and went to beg
for alms, his mind fixed on only one thing, namely - the puja.
That day he got a lot of money with which he bought fruits,
milk, curd and honey, and performed the puja with his friends
and relatives. With Lord Satyanarayana's grace he shed his
poverty, and lived a contented life. Every month on the full moon
duy, he performed the puja, and finally attained Moksha (salva-
tion)."
Maharishi Soota continued, "One day when this brahmin
from Kashi was observing Satyanarayana Vratha. A woodcutter
entered his house and asked for water. Seeing the brahmin
perform the puja, the woodcutter inquired about the puja.The
brahmin, who had been bestowed with Lord Vishnu's grace,
spoke, This is called Satyanarayana Vratha. One who observes
the Vratha will be blessed by the Lord. I myself have been
bestowed with wealth.' The woodcutter was delighted to hear this.
He learned the proper way to perform the puj a, ate the prasad
that was offered, and went his way.
With Lord Satyanarayana in his mind, the woodcutter
resolved that he would observe the Vratha with whatever he was
going to earn by selling firewood that day. He went to that part
of the city where rich people lived, sold the firewood, and made
twice the normal profit. Pleased with his luck, the woodcutter
bought bananas, sugar, ghee, milk, curd, honey and wheat flour,
and performed the Satyanarayana puja with his friends and
relatives. By Lord Satyanarayana's grace he too acquired enough
wealth, lived comfortably, and finally attained Moksha."
Chapter 3
ReplyDeleteMaharishi Soota continued, "Oh best of ascetics, I will now
tell you the story further. In the olden days there lived a wise
king by the name Ulmamukha. He had mastered all his senses, and
always spoke the truth. He used to go to the temple everyday, and
offer gifts to the brahmins. His lotus-faced wife was a pure and
pious woman. One day, the royal couple was performing Satya-
narayana Puja at the banks of the river Bhadrasheela. At that
time, a merchant called Sadhu sailed by. Seeing the king perform
some puja,Sadhu stopped his boat, got off, and addressed the
king humbly, 'Oh King, would you kindly tell me what you are
doing with such devotion and concentration?' The king replied,
'Oh Sadhu, I have no children. In order that I may be blessed
with children, I am worshipping the Lord Almighty Satya-
narayana.'
On hearing this, Sadhu spoke humbly,'Oh king, please tell me
how to perform the puja. I would like to observe the Vratha,
as I too have no children.' The king told him all the details.
Sadhu returned home, and with great joy, told his wife that they
should perform Satyanarayana Puja which will fulfill their desire
to have children. He then resolved to perform the puja after the
child was born. By the divine grace, Sadhu's wife Leelavati soon
conceived, and in due course , gaye birth to a beautiful girl who
was named Kalavati.
One duy, Leelavati reminded her husband of his promise to
perform Satyanarayana Puja. Sadhu told his wife that he would
do the puja at the time of his daughter's wedding, and got busy
with his work.
In the meantime , Kalvati grew up, and blossomed into a
lovely girl. Sadhu sent out messengers to find a suitable bride-
groom for his daughter.
One of his messengers found a good-natured and handsome
boy in a vaishya family from KanchanNagar. Sadhu found the
boy to be a suitable match for his daughter, and celebrated her
marri age with great pomp and show. But Sadhu completely forgot
about the Satyanarayana Puja, and the Lord placed a curse on
Sadhu.
Then, one day Sadhu went on a business trip with his son-in-
law. He stopped to trade at Ratnapur which was ruled by king
Chandraketu. During the time he was in Ratnapur, some thieves
robbed the king's treasury, and were running away. The king's
soldiers followed them in hot pursuit. The frightened thieves
threrv all the things they had robbed near Sadhu and his son-in-
law, and escaped. Finding the things of king's treasures near
Sadhu and his son-in-law, the king's soldiers thought that they
were the thieves, arrested them, and brought them before the
king. The king ordered them to be chained, and thrown into
prison. Because of Lord's Maya, nobody even listened to what
Sadhu had to say in his defense. King Chandraketu also confis-
cated all their merchandise.
Lord Satvanarayana's curse did not spare even Sadhu's wife.
Some robbers broke into her house., and Leelavati lost everything.
One day Kalavati was very hungry, and went out of the
house. She wandered here and there, and stopped at a house
where Satyanarayana Puj a was being performed. She stayed at
that place until the puja was finished, and ate the prasad that was
offered. When she reached home, it was very late in the night.
Leelavati asked her where she had been. Kalavati told her mother
that she was listening to Satyanarayana Katha in somebody's
house. Leelavati at once remembered her husband's promise to
perform the puja, and resolved to observe the Satyanarayana
Vratha herself. She collected all her relatives and friends, prayed
to Lord Satyanarayana to forgive their sins.
( to be continued )
Chapter 3 ( remainder - attached )
ReplyDeleteLord Satyanarayana was pleased with Leelavati's prayers. He
appeared before king Chandraketu in his dreams, and told him to
release the two merchants from prison as they were not the real
thieves. If the king failed to do So, Lord Satyanarayana warned
that his kingdom, wealth and children would all disappear.
Next morning, the king told his counsellors about his dream,
and ordered Sadhu and his son-in-law to be released, and brought
before him. The latter were frightened, and stood before the king
with bowed heads. The king talked to them gently and said, 'You
two have suffered greatly because of your fate, but now there is
nothing to fear.' The king returned their merchandise, gave them
new clothes, and gifts, and bade them goodbye.
Chapter 4
ReplyDeleteSadhu and his son-in-law loaded their boat with the riches
given to them by the king, and sailed homewards. Lord Satya-
narayana wanted to test Sadhu further. He took the form of an
ascetic with a trident, appeared before Sadhu, and asked him what
he was carrying in his boat. Without realizing that the ascetic was
indeed Lord Satyanarayana in disguise, Sadhu laughed mockingly,
and said, 'You brahmin, were you thinking of stealing my things?
We do not have any valuables in the boat except leaves and
creeper plants.' Whereupon Lord Satyanatayana replied, 'Oh
Sadhu, so be it.' The God then departed in great haste , and stood
by the seashore.
When Sadhu went into his boat, he discovered to his horror
that the boat was filled with leaves and creeper plants just as he
had falsely told the ascetic. Sadhu swooned at the sight, but was
revived by his son-in-law who spoke, 'This must be the curse of
the ascetic. He must be a mystic. Let us go to him, and ask for
his forgiveness.' The two merchants went to the seashore where
the ascetic was meditating. They fell at his feet, and repeatedly
begged for his forgiveness.
Pleased by Sadhu's devotion, the Lord said, 'Sadhu, do not
weep. You suffer because you have broken your promise time and
again.' On hearing this, Sadhu prayed to God, 'Oh Lord, even
Brahma and other Devas, drowned in your Maya, cannot
comprehend your various forms completely. How can I, with my
limited ability, comprehend your various forms? I pray according
to my limited knowledge Please show me your true form, and
bless me.'
Upon hearing this, God was pleased- and granted his wishes
restoring his merchandise in the boat and disappeared. The two
merchants then joyfully sailed homewards. On reaching their
hometown they sent a messenger to their wives to inform them of
their safe arrival. At that time, Leelavati and Kalavati were
performing Satyanarayana Puja. Leelavati quickly finished the
puja, and asked her daughter to do so. She then hurried to the
seashore to meet her husband. Kalavati, in her eagerness to meet
her husband, forgot to eat the prasad, and rushed to the seashore.
This action of her angered Lord Satyan arayana. He caused the
boat and her husband to drown in the sea.
Not finding her husband, Kalavati started weeping. All were
wonderstruck and frightened. Sadhu was at a loss to know what
to do. Thinking that it was Lord Satyanarayana's Maya, he
announced to everybody that he would perform Satyanarayana
Puj, and prayed to Lord Satyanarayana again and again. At this,
Lord Satyanarayana, the savior of the sinners, was very pleased,
and said, 'Oh Sadhu, your daughter did not eat the prasad in her
haste to see her husband, and so I made him and the boat
disappear. Let her go home, and take the prasad, and return.' On
hearing this , Kalavati rushed home, and ate the prasad. When she
returned to the seashore, she found, to her joy, her husband and
the boat. Then Sadhu returned home happily with his relatives,
performed Satyanarayana Puja on every full moon day. With
God's grace, he enjoyed all the comforts in this world, and finally
attained salvation."
Chapter 5
ReplyDeleteMaharishi Soota continued, "Once there was a king called
Tungadhwaja who underwent a lot of misery because he refused
the Satyanarayana prasad.
One day after hunting, he was resting under a tree. Cowherds
were happily performing Satyanarayana Puja nearby. The king in
vanity, refused the prasad they offered. When he reached his
palace, he found that his kingdom, all his sons, his wealth and
everything had disappeared. Then it occurred to him that Lord
Satyanarayana was probably angry with him. He went back to the
cowherds, prostrated himself before Lord Satyanarayana, and per-
formed the puja with great devotion. The Lord showered his
blessings, and the king regained everything he had lost earlier. He
lived happily, and reached Vaikunta after his death."
Maharishi Soota said, "Oh holy men. I have narrated to you
the Satyanaraya Katha which was originally told by Lord
Vishnu to Narada Muni. By observing this Vratha, mankind can
attain salvation. In this Kaliyuga, observance of the Vratha can
lead to gratification of one's wishes."
Thus ended the narration of Maharishi Soota, after which
Shaunaka and other rishis returned to their respective places.
Please excuse , as I had to upload it in pieces - as this blog page had a certain file size limit.
ReplyDeleteWell written Kiran. Thanks a lot for sharing. Nice stories.
ReplyDeleteSIR ,
ReplyDeleteSHREE SATYANARAYAN POOJA SHOULD BE DESCRIBED IN DETAIL SO THAT WE CAN PERFORM THE SAME