Blog

The commentaries on Vishnu Sahasranamam was first written by Adi Sankara.  There is an interesting story behind it. 

Sankara actually wanted to write commentaries on Lalita Sahasranamam.  He asked one of his disciples to bring palm-leaf manuscripts of Lalita Sahasranamam.  The disciple went to the room where it was kept and returned with the manuscript. 

When Sankara opened, he found that it was Vishnu Sahasranamam.  He again asked the disciple to go back and bring Lalita Sahasranamam. 

When the disciple returned, Sankara found that it was again Vishnu Sahasranamam.  Sankara again advised the disciple to bring Lalita Sahasranamam only and in the third time also the disciple returned with Vishnu Sahasranamam. 

A little annoyed, Sankara asked the disciple "Didn't you understand properly, I told you to bring Lalita Sahasranamam." 

The disciple replied "Revered Sir, I went to bring Lalita Sahasranamam only but there is a cute little girl in there who told me to take Vishnu Sahasranamam every time." 

Sankara then understood that Goddess Ambal wanted him to write commentaries on Vishnu Sahasranamam and he completed the divine task.

Reflection

Vishnu Sahasranaamam was recited by Bhisma on the bed of arrows during the Mahabharata war. It is believed that regular chanting of these 1000 names of the Lord yields a lot of benefits like -  avoiding evil, succeeding in battle/ against any obstacles in life, gaining affluence, pleasure, happiness, and good offspring. Bhisma said, "Even thus have I recited to thee, without any exception, the thousand excellent names of the high-souled Kesava whose glory should always be sung. That man who hears these 1000 names every day or who recites them every day, never meets with any evil in his life and is ever happy and blessed by the Lord.