Vishnu Sahasranamam

This Course Is No Longer Available

About

It is interesting to contemplate on the circumstances under which Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram came into existence. Yudhishthira, the eldest of the five Pandavas, was mentally depleted because of the war with the Kauravas and the misery of death and suffering that was created by the war in which he had been a major player. Bhishma, his dear grandfather, was lying on his deathbed.

With his passing away, his irreplaceable wisdom, based on the experiences of his long life of virtue, righteousness and devotion, was about to be lost to the world. Sage Vyasa and Sri Krishna advised Yudhishthira, who himself was an epitome of righteousness and virtue, to seek the advice of Bhishma on any and all aspects of life on which he had any doubts. Yudhishthira did as advised, and

a series of dialogs ensued between the two, witnessed by Lord Krishna Himself, and by other great sages including Vedavyasa.

In one of these sessions, Yudhishthira sought Bhishma’s advice on the easiest and best means by which mankind can attain lasting happiness, peace of mind, and relief from all bondage and sorrows. This was the setting in which Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram was imparted, with the welfare of future generations also in mind, by Bhishma to Yudhishthira, as part of the advice

given by Bhishma in response to the above question.

These questions are:

1. Who is the One (Supreme) Deity?

2. What is the highest goal of life?

3. By praising which Deity’s auspicious qualities will human beings attain

prosperity in this world as well as bliss in the next?

4. By meditating on which Deity will human beings attain prosperity in this

world as well as bliss in the next?

5. By reciting which mantra will man be released from the bondage of the

cycle of birth and death?

6. Of the three means referred to above (i.e., recitation, praise or archana,

and meditation), which is the best means for attaining the grace of the

Supreme Deity based on your vast experience and knowledge?