Glories of Mahabharata and Vishnu-sahasra-nama

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

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– Why is Sri Mahabharata widely respected by the Aryans? What is the special feature of Baladeva Vidyabhusana’s commentary on Vishnu-sahasra-nama?

– If the sages put all Vedic literature in one side of the weighing scale and Sri Mahabharata on the other side, the Mahabharata will be heavier. We can therefore understand that the Aryans find no book as worshipable as the Mahabharata.

Two precious jewels are within the Mahabharata. One of them is Srimad Bhagavad-gita and the other is Sri Vishnu-sahasranama. If the Acharyas of the authorized sampradayas cannot support their doctrine from these 2 books, they cannot establish their sampradaya as authentic.

Therefore Acharyas such as Sri Sankaracharya have written commentaries on the Vedas, Vedanta-sutra, Gita, and Sahasranama and thus propagated them.

In the line instructed by Sriman Mahaprabhu, Sri Baladeva Vidyabhusana Prabhu is the vedantacharya. Therefore I am publishing his commentary on Vishnu-sahasranama.

(An article written in 400 Caitanya Era about Sri Vishnu-sahasranama)

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Harih Om Tat Sat.

Natural Brotherhood (Bhaktivinoda Thakura):

BhaktiVinoda Thakura

"Gradually, when the offensive portions of the established religions are destroyed, there will be no more differences in the bhajana performed by the various Sampradayas nor any quarrel between them.

Then as brothers, the people of all castes and countries will spontaneously chant the Holy Names of the Supreme Lord together.

At that time, no one will hate anyone or consider others dogeaters; nor will anyone be overwhelmed by the pride of high birth.

The living entities will not forget the principle of natural brotherhood."


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5 Responses to “Glories of Mahabharata and Vishnu-sahasra-nama”
  1. Chanting of vishnusahasranama says:

    It is not the question of hate or love. The chanting of Vishnusahasranama requires authority endorsed by the scriptures as it is the rule of the divine being who created this universe. If it is followed correctly it can yield the mentioned results but if ignored, otherwise it might cause adverse effects, this is obvious due to the existence of the specific rules. The great Adi sankara has commented on this as follows:-Sudra attains to happiness by hearing alone and not by reciting. The Sruti (Tai. Sam., 7-1·1) says : ” There­ fore the Sudra is not entitled to perform Yaga.” The mahabharata says : ” One should teach the Scriptures to all the four castes, keeping a BrAhmana at the head.” The Harivamsha also says : ” One born in the Sudra caste attains good state by hearing.” From this it is plain that the Sudra can only hear and thereby he attains happiness, whereas the twice-born only can recite.
    The commentary makes it clear that women and advijas (meaning any other population in the world) are not entitled to recite these holy names of Vishnu. There can be no authority higher than the genius of sankara as far as interpretation of scriptures is concerned which is the opinion of hindu orthodoxy. His interpretation can be said to be flawless and without prejudice, being a person who had renounced the world in its absolute sense. I feel it is unfair to attempt interpretations to suit one’s purpose for the sake of popularity etc Another irony is that persons quote Sri sankara and preach the exactly opposite to that preached by him!

  2. Dasa says:

    The later acharyas propagated that everyone is allowed to chant the holy names of Vishnu in Harinama-Sankirtana-Yajna.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Kindly refer Sree Shankara‘s commentary wherein he explains the name Jantu in the sloka “Kimekam daivatam loke….“ It will be very clear that People of All Varnas͵ all acharas are eligible to recite Vishnu Sahasranama.

  4. VISHNUSAHASRANAMA CHANTING says:

    If one fails to accept the verdict of the great Adi shankara in such spiritual matters, he can be considered as unappreciative of truth as the Acharya is considered to be Lord shiva himself in human form. It is not difficult to accept this view, which is well confirmed by his knowledge of the scriptures, brilliant logic, divine miracles that are unsurpassed by anyone to this day. Therefore,It can easily be said that his works are not that of an ordinary human being. If persons still have their own way of thinking and deciding the interpretation of the dharmic texts, I can only say it is an expression of ingratitude to the divine master and they can’t be helped. No true hindu with belief in the law of karma will act without exercising caution while dealing with the scriptures.

  5. Prabhupadanugas says:

    @VISHNUSAHASRANAMA CHANTING
    Well, perhaps the Sankaracarya Sampradaya follower (like yourself apparantly) in modern times think like that. Good luck with keeping the essence of a living entities eternal occupation (which is: hearing, chanting, remembering the Names of the Lord) hidden under the garb of: This section of humans may listen only and the other section may recite only etc etc.

    Luckily Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura’s succesors made mince meat of this argument of yours. You call yourself a Hindu. This statement itself shows your intention: you want to keep people away from the Holy Names of the Lord. This will never work!