Chanting the holy Vishnu Sahasranama

Originally posted in a discussion forum in April 2011

To think that the Vishnu Sahasranama is a mere remedy to afflictions caused by Budha graha is a misconception. Numerous are instances over the ages, where people have reported great miracles happening in their life, after starting regular Japa of Vishnu Sahasranama. The twin works of Vishnu Sahasranama and Bhagavad Gita both occurring in the Mahabharatha are referred to as "Moksha Shastras' and have commentaries written by the great Sri Shankaracharya. In BPHS Parashara Rishi praises the greatness of Bhagavan Vishnu in over 30 verses, starting thus...

Eko Avyaktaatmako Vishnuranaadhih Prabhureeshwaraha
Suddhasattvo Jagat swaamee Nirgunasthrigunaanvithaha

The One God, imperceptible, timeless, beginningless, Ruler,Lord of all, is Vishnu the Lord of the whole universe, of Pure Sattva Guna, yet devoid of gunas as well, while at the same time manifested into all 3 Gunas.

(many of these epithets, like Ekah, Avyaktah, Prabhureeshwaraha et al, occur in the Vishnu Sahasranama)

Samsaarakaarakah Sreemaan Nimittatmaa Prathapavaan
Ekamsena Jagat Sarvam Srujatyavathi leelayaa

As the kaaraka of the nature, he is the source of all 3 gunas, and he is full of auspiciousness, the basic cause of the world, the Supreme Magnificent Power, who with one amsa of himself creates and maintains the entire universe, for his play.

I give below what the phalasruti to the Vishnu Sahasranama itself states, about it's efficacy.....

Ya Idam Srunuyaan Nityam Yaschaabhi Parikeertayet
Na Asubham Praapnuyaat Kimchit Somuthreha Cha Maanavaha

Wherever he may be, whether in this world or worlds beyond, nothing inauspicious will befall the one who devoutly listens to the recital of this Sahasranaama Stotra daily as well as the one who recites it.

Vedantago Brahmanaha Syaat Kshatriyo Vijayee Bhavet
Vaisyo Dhansamruddhaha Syaat Soodraha Sukham Avaapnuyaat

A person who chants these names with a Brahmana Guna, will attain knowledge of the Vedanta, if with a Kshatriya guna,he will become a victorious warrior,if a Vaisya guna,he will acquire immense wealth and if with Soodra guna he will remain happy. (The characteristics of these gunas are detailed in Chapters 17-18 of the Bhagavad Gita)

Dharmaarthee Praapnuyaat Dharmam Artthaartthee Cha Arttham Aaapnuyaat
Kaaman Avaapnuyaat Kaamee Prajaartthee Cha Apnuyaat Prajaaha

If a person recites the Holy names with a desire abiding in Dharma will achieve it. If he is desirous of wealth he will get wealth. If he is after pleasures of life he will get them all. If he wants to have progeny he will have it. In essence, those who recite these Holy names of the Lord,will reap the desired fruits without fail.

Bhaktimaan Yah Sadotthaaya Suchistat Gatamaanasaha
Sahasram Vasudevasya Naamnaam Yetat Prakeertayet

A faithful devotee who gets up in the morning, after purifying himself by bath,followed by mental cleansing through observance of nitya-karma (prescribed rites and rituals) and then recites the thousand names of Lord Vasudeva,with a mind firmly fixed on HIM.

Yasah Praapnoti Vipulam Yaati Pradhaanyam Eva Cha
Achalaam Sriyam Avaapnoti Sreyaha Praapnoti Anuthamam

Such a person gains great reputation and is reckoned as the foremost among his kith and kin. He acquires abundant and undecaying wealth in this world while in the other world,he enjoys everlasting bliss.

Na Bhayam Kvachit Aapnoti Veeryam Tejascha Vindati
Bhavatyarogo Dhyutimaan Bala Roopa Gunaanvitaha

Freed from fear (from any source ) and sickness,the chanter acquires valour,power and strength and is endowed with a healthy body,noble traits and dazzling brilliance.

Rogaartho Muchyate Rogaat Baddho Muchyeta Bhandhanaat
Bhayaan Muchyeta Bheetatsu Muchyet Aapanna Aapadah

One afflicted by sickness will get rid of it. The one in shackles of any sort will get disentangled,while the one stricken by fear will become free from it and the one beset with difficulties will get absolved of them.

Durgaanyati Taratyaasu Purushah Purushothamam
Stuvan Naama Sahasrena Nityam Bhakti Samanvitaha

That person who praises with devotion,the Supreme Purushothama through daily recital of these thousand names,surmounts in no time even seemingly insuperable difficulties, one and all.

Vasudevaasrayo Martyo Vasudeva Paraayanaha
Sarva Paapa Visudhaatma Yaati Brahma Sanaathanam

Ever seeking out Vasudeva, ever identifying with HIM alone, he gets cleansed of all sins. With a mind thus purified the chanter attains the eternal Sanaathana BRAHMA.

Na Vasudeva Bhaktaanaam Asubham Vidyate Kvacit
Janma Mrityu Jara Vyaadhi Bhayam Naivopajaayate

Nothing inauspicious ever befalls the devotees of Vasudeva, nor do they have any fear from the perennial cyclie of birth,disease,old age and death any longer.

Imam Stvam Adheeyaanaha Sradha Bhakti Samanvitaha
Yujyet Aatma Sukhasshanti Sree Dhruti Smriti Keertibhihi

The chanter of this hymn of zeal and devotion is blessed with the happy realization of the essential nature of his Self, besides acquiring the qualities of serenity,mental stability,unfailing memory and great fame and wealth.

13. Na Krodho Na Cha Maatsaryam Na Lobho Naasubha Matihi
Bhavanti Kruta Punyaanaam Bhaktaanaam Purushothame

Neither anger nor jealousy,neither avarice nor unholy thoughts taint the minds of those true devotees of Purushothama,who have to their credit many a virtuous deed.

Dyauhu Sa Chandraarka Nakshatro Kham Diso Bhoormahodadhihi
Vasudevasya Veeryena Vidhrutaani Mahaatmanaha

The firmament, the Moon,Sun and the stars,the sky,the directions,earth and the vast ocean are one and all maintained by the supreme valour of Vasudeva.

Sasuraasura Gandharvam Sa Yakshoraga Raakshasam
Jagadvase Vartatedam Krishnasya Sa Charaacharam

This world with all its contents,the sentient beings and non sentient things,the Gods, Asuraas,Gandharvas,Yakshaas,Naagaas and Raakshasaas,are under the supreme control of Sri Krishna.

16. Indriyaani Mano Budhih Satvam Tejo Balam Drutihi
Vasudevaatmakaanyaahu Kshetram Kshetragna Eva Cha

All sense organs,the mind,the intellect,satva,power,strength,firmness as well as the body as a whole and the individual soul..all of them have Vasudeva as their aatma.

17. Sarvaagamaanam Aachaaraha Pradhamam Parikalpate
Aachara Prabhavo Dharmo Dharmasya Prabhurachyutaha

Right conduct has been laid down as the most important,foremost of all the dharma revealed by the saastras. Right conduct gives rise to strengthening one's dharma. Lord Achyuta is the deity propitiated by dharma who not only helps in ones adherence of dharma but also awards the fruits thereof.

18. Rushayaha Pitaro Deva Maha Bhootaani Dhaatavaha
Jangama Jangamam Chedam Jagannaaraayonodbhavam

Sages, gods, pitrus,great elements and their effects,mobile beings and immobile things, comprising the entire universe, all have emanated from Achyuta.

19. Yogo Gnaanam Tadha Saamkhyam Vidyaha Silpaadi Karma Cha
Vedaaha Saastraani Vignaanam etat Sarvam Janaardanaat

Knowledge of yoga, saamkhya,several branches of learning,arts, works,vedas,saastraas,all these spring from Lord Janaardana.

Imam Stavam Bhagavato Vishnor Vyaasena Keertitam
Padedya Ichet Purushaha Sreyaha Praaptum Sukhaani Cha

That person who desires to obtain supreme bliss in the yonder heaven as well as pleasures of this world should read stories of Lord Vishnu sung by great sage Vyaasa.

Visveswaramajam Devam Jagataha Prabhum Avyayam
Bhajanti Ye Pushkaraksham Na Te Yaanti Paraabhavam

The lotus eyed is the birthless,supreme deity,sovereign lord of the universe and the cause of creation and dissolution of the universe. Those who sing HIS praise will never meet with disrespect or discomfiture of any kind.

Na Te Yaanti Paraabhavam Om Namaha Iti

Again and Again I reiterate, never will they meet with disrespect from any source.