The ninth name of the Lord from the 'Vishnu Sahasranama' referred to as 'Bhoota Bhavana', for He is the one nourishing all the beings with involvement and ensures their physical and spiritual growth in the entire universe.
As the narration of the story goes ... It was one of those hot days of severe summer in the city of Kumbakonam. In the temple of the Lord Aravamuda, referred to as Sarangapani the priests were preparing for the mid-day pooja.
Just then two saintly men rushed to the entrance to have the darshan of the Lord. The people recognized one of them as Piran from Thirumazhisai well known as Bhaktisara too. It had happened in the earlier visits that the Lord broke His self-imposed discipline of being a statue like in Archavatara, raised his head and smiled at Baktisara, to the surprise of all.
This time the Chief Priest asked Baktisara Thirumazhisai to await the Deeparadhana for having the darshan or glimpse of his beloved Kesava. Well, inside the Garbhagriha as the Chief Priest began to offer nivedan, a voice emanated from the Lord Aravamuda staying - 'stop', asking the Archaka to bring Piran, his beloved devotee from outside to him.
The Lord ordered Thirumazhisai Piran to have the 'Pongal' - the offering kept for the Lord. When Piran declined stating that a servant cannot have it without the master not having taken the same.
The Lord Sarangapani thus spake... That he was the 'Bhootatama' - for all the beings in the universe are his body, for He alone is in our body and Soul. By Piran having the same it is still the Lord who dwelling in his soul is nourishing the same.
Hence, having heard thus, we know from the 'Vishnu Sahasranama', that the Lord is called 'BHOOTA BHAVANA', meaning the one supplying the nutrition to all the beings.
Whenever you feel weak and that you need some nourishment, please do not hesitate to chant - "OM BHOOTA BHAVANAYA NAMAHA'. It is the greatest mantra for the universal health and growth too.
The eighth name of the Lord from the 'Vishnu Sahasranama', reveals the inner truth and the importance of the relationship of the divine soul with the Eternal force who is none other than Lord Narayana.
Govinda Desika, a great exponent of Vedanta, was giving a discourse on Brahadaranyaka Upanishad. Janaka, the famous philosopher and Emperor of Videha once performed a great sacrifice and distributed costly gifts and scholars from the Kuru desa and Panchala desa thronged the palace.
The king asked the wisest among of scholars to take cows. All the scholars were perplexed as to how they can assert themselves to be the wisest. Yagnavalkya asked his disciple to drive away the cows. There was confusion in the court and Aswala, the priest of the king stood up and asked Yagnavalkya whether he was the wisest among all.
There was a war of queries and Yagnavalkya answered in absolute poise. Artabanga, Ushasta, Kahola and all other scholars had to accept their defeat. The great lady Gargi, well versed in Vedas posed her queries to Yagnavalkya and tension prevailed among the scholars.
At last, Uddalaka another philosopher tried to ease the situation.Thus narrated a story, once Sage Kapya's wife was possessed by an angel - Gandharva Kabandha, the celestial singer.
The Gandharva put a difficult question thus.... As to who is the Inner ruler who stays within all beings and controls them? Who is the thread by which the world and its beings are strung together?
Sage Kapya and all others knelt before the Gandharva and learnt about the thread and the Inner ruler. Now Yagnavalkya stood up and told that the Inner ruler who resides in all of us is the one who resides on this Earth; but He is separate from the Earth; He controls the Earth from within.He is your soul and the Inner Ruler!
The thread by which this and the other worlds and all beings are strung together is Oxygen.
Hence, we can know that the Lord is our Inner Ruler, He controls us from within. He is the eternal thinker. There is no seer like Him; there is no knower like him. He is the immortal soul - anything other than Him is just disease. Hence, the Jagatgurus utter Narayana Smrithi' - praying the universal soul for universal welfare!
At this juncture Sage Vedvyasa utterred as a flash of light and reminded of the eight name in the Vishnu Sahasranam meaning - 'OM BHOOTATMANE NAMAHA'.
This is the sacred Secret of Upanishads - The Lord Narayana and all beings - is like that of our soul and the body revealed by Ramanuja. Those who know this have seen the dawn of wisdom.
Hence this name of the Lord brings success in arguments for all noble causes and also to pray for well being of the society.
The seventh name of the Lord, 'bhAvah', from the 'Vishnu Sahasranama' shows that Lord is the one who exists with all splendor. He who exists always, independent of anything else too.
Lord Krishna who acted as the Pandava dhoota was about to meet the Kaurava Prince Duryodhana to part with the share of the kingdom belonging to the Pandavas.
Duryodhana wanted to imprison the Lord and postponed meeting of the court. He got a big pit dug beneath the seat to be provided for the Lord and arranged a dozen wrestlers who would imprison Lord Krishna once the throne would sink.
The Lord entered the court and explained Duryodhana about the outcome of the war but cunning Duryodhana laughed and ridiculed saying that he can think of Mahabharata war in the prison, since the Lord was born in prison and would surely die in the same place. Mentioning this Duryodhana signaled to slip the Lord's chair into the pit.
The Lord in all his majesty smiled and said, "Oh foolish child! you thought I am alone, therefore you can imprison me? I am never alone. See me with the power I give to your eyes".
The Lord took the Viswaroopa immediately. His legs were found to be in the nether lands, his hands pierced the skies.In Him the blind man's eldest son saw all the gods, human beings, the court and himself and the very scene too.
This scene alone offers a beautiful message, that in Him lie the world, its glory and beauty like the feathers of peacock.
Just as a peacock spreads its beautiful feathers and chooses to go on a dance so does the Lord choose to show this Omnipresence in all His glory to those He wills whenever He designs.
Thus, all that are great, noble and mighty are feathers of different hue in that cap of the Lord. Hence, he is called "Bhava".Those who chant this name will always add feathers to their cap. Let us chant "OM BHAVAYA NAMAHA" and surrender to him in devotion.
We are gifted with such a loving God who is always ready to spread his Love and help for us.
The sixth name of the Lord from the ‘Vishnu Sahasranama’, talks about the lord being the supporter of all beings. He is in the form of being the inner soul or Atman of all beings, and as the One who nourishes and protects all beings.
Sri Sankara interprets it as the acts of creation or destruction in the context of three functions of creation, sustenance and destruction. The Lord is the ‘Bhoota brith' hears, feeds, supports all in the universe, the materials we enjoy, and the various scriptures we read. That is why he is called ‘the navel of all’, in the Vedas.
The story states that – Once there lived a poor Vishnava Brahmin who had 16 children living in poverty survived merely on the ‘prasadam’(holy food offered to the Lord) distributed and always wore perpetual look of hunger. The Vaishnava’s family made the front portion of the temple as their residence.
The incident was brought to the notice of Ramanuja Dasha. On being questioned the poor Vaishnava admitted that he knew no Vedas to join any mutt and only a few words from the ‘Vishnu Sahasranama’, and in case if he was late his family would not get a single morsel hence he is forced to reside in the precincts of the holy temple.
Ramanuja was moved and felt compassionate. He asked the Vaishnava to chant the Sahasranama and stay away from the vicinity of the temple and promised that his food will come searching his family.
The old Sri Vaishnava started chanting ‘VishwanVishnur Vashat Karaha Bhoota Bhavya Bhavat Prabhuhu, Bhootakrit Bhoota brith’.
The old brahmin was not seen in the vicinity of the temple. Days passed by and the Vaishnava never came to the temple.
A strange sight was witnessed. A plate and a huge chunk of the Lord’s prasadam meant for distribution to devotees was found missing. The matter was brought to the notice of Ramanuja.
On the advice of Ramanuja his disciples found the Sri Vaishnava residing at Srirangam and brought him to meet Ramanuja. The Vaishnavite was overwhelmed and offered his obeisance.
When the Sri vaishnavite told that a boy had been bringing and offering them food on his head stating that he is called as Azhagiya-Manavala Ramanuja Dasan of Ramanuja.
Ramanuja was overwhelmed and stood in reverence in front of the Lord at the temple and cried – “Oh! My Lord Azhagiya Manavala”.
A voice spoke from the ether -“Ramanuja, I did not do it merely to honor your word. Sage Ved Vyasa has included Bhoota Brith, in the 1000 names he has given me. It means – I am the feeder of all”.
Dear readers, the Lord is called Bhoota brith’ for he feeds, fosters and protects all that exists. Hence, chant with faith and devotion: ‘Bhoota brith’ - the supporter, the feeder – the bearer of all things.
Chant “OM BHOOTA BRITHE NAMAHA” so that none in the universe suffers from any legitimate hunger, both in the mundane and spiritual aspects.
The fifth name of the Lord from the 'Vishnu Sahasranama', is 'OM BHOOTAKRITE NAMAHA'.He is the cosmic force who is behind one and all, the creator of all beings.
Sri Bhattar points out that this act of creation is done by Him without dependence on anything external.
"tvam kartA sarva bhUtAnAm" - You are the Creator of everything that exists - VishNu PurANa 1-4-15.
Let us glorify the fifth name of the Lord with a story.
Brahmadeva was feeling very miserable about his job of creating and writing the fate of the created, granting boons and then praying at the feet of the Lord for perfection. He was wondering as to why beings were not being liberated from the cycle of birth and death, so that he would be relieved from the drudgery of his job.
On the advise of Lord Narayana, Brahmadeva mounted on his Swan and came to Puri. There was no temple at that time and the Lord was resting on the banks of a pond. Just then Brahmadeva had a vision wherein a crow came and bowed to the Lord and dived into the pond, in a flash of a second he could see the soul of the crow attaining the beautiful form of the Lord with the similarity of Shanku and Chakra and reaching the feet of the Lord attaining liberation.Brahma saw this symbolic way of attaining liberation.
Just then arrived the god of death - Yama crying to Lord Narayana stating that an old brahmin virtually lived in sin and at the precise moment of death fell into the pond and reached the abode of the Lord, without being reckoned by him, and that he was unable to do his duty properly.
On being questioned by Goddesses Laxmi, Brahma and Yama said that they would be very happy to see the souls getting liberated, but both complained as to they were unable to cope up with their duties.
Brahmadeva born from the navel of Lord Narayana and who is rich with the power of Vedas, the power house of wisdom and knowledge, and Yama with his assistants still were not convinced.
Then mother Goddess pointed to two statues that appeared to be carrying the tower on their shoulders. In the same way, neither of them can create nor destroy anything independently.
The sole creator of the world is Sriman Narayana who guides us one in all the activities. No one assists him. He is the inner ruler working through all of us. Brahma and Yama now understood that He the Lord Narayana alone is the main essence in all.The Lord is Bhootakrit means the Creator. He alone is unique for he creates, protects, and destroys the world without anybody's help.
Hence, let us chant this name "OM BHOOTAKRITE NAMAHA", being engaged in any activity so as not to get exhausted and we will derive the satisfaction in anything we do, for the Lord directs us. He is the sole doer residing in all of us.
He, the LORD alone existed before, exist now, and will exist forever into the future. The well-known and established physical law that all living things come to an end does not apply to Him. He is the Alpha and the Omega. The fourth name from the Vishnu Sahasranama "OM BHUTABHAVYA BHAVAT PRABHAVE NAMAHA", emphasizes that the Lord is the Perpetual boss, the Lord of of the whole universe.The worth of chanting the fourth name from "Vishnu Sahasranama", is emphasized with the help of the story.
The Lord is timeless and beyond the perception of our wisdom.A young saint well versed in Vedas was called Romasa had abundant growth of hairs all over his body. On the request of Romasa his guru deciphered the writing of Brahmadeva on his forehead as "connected with hair", against his lifespan evidently meaning that his hairs had something to talk about his life.
None could render the apt meaning.The young saint Romasa went to the abode of Brahmadeva as he felt he was the person who was capable of explaining his writing connected to the hairs.The great Brahmadeva too could not explain the meaning of his writing and was all confused and could not reveal the same to the sage Romasa and explained the fact that the sage had stayed for an hour in Satya loka which is equal to 35 Crores, 78 Lakhs and 48,000 years on Earth.
Romasa was surprised to see the changes that occurred on this Earth and realized his staying of 1 hour in Satya loka - means crores of years on Earth. Romasa now longed to stay for more time on Earth and wanted to worship the Lord.
Romasa started chanting "OM BHOOTA BHAVAT PRABHAVE NAMAHA", the Lord of all that existed, that will exists, and that is in existence. Romasa was bestowed by a boon from the Lord Narayana that his life will be metered thus - a hair from his body will fall when the life of one Brahma ends and he will reach abode of the Lord when all the hairs falls - that is how his lines written on his forehead connected his hairs.
Brahma could not decipher what he wrote on the forehead of Romasa as he was only an instrument in the hands of Vashatkara, the inner controller of all the souls.
While Vishnu is commonly portrayed with human features, Swami Tapasyananda, in his book, Bhakti Schools of Vedanta, reminds readers that Vishnu pervades everything and is not anthropomorphic. He has no particular material form but can manifest in any form, and is a center of all force, power, will, auspiciousness, goodness, beauty, grace, responsiveness, etc.
Let us all chant now knowing the greatness of the 4th name of the Lord "OM BHOOTA BHAVYA BHAVAT PRABHAVE NAMAH", the Lord of the past, present and the future. One who chants this name is sure to have long and glorious life span.
Our scriptures lay great emphasis on 'Nama Sankirtana' by extolling it as the best and the highest spiritual practice for the Kali Yuga.
When these names of the Lord are chanted with devotion and with proper understanding of their meaning, the chanting becomes a contemplation on the qualities of the Lord and thus helps in purifying and concentrating the mind.
Chanting "Om Vashat Karaya Namaha" so that He, residing in our souls, directs us in the path of virtue! He not alone pervades, also controls us in every aspect of life.
Here, the story goes.. Lord Krishna was to arrive at the court of Duryodhana, as the messenger of the Pandavas.
The Egoistic Duryodhana full of vices, felt that being the Emperor of the Kuru dynasty it was a shame to even welcome Krishna, felt he was a cheat and friend of the penniless Pandavas and that no honor be given to him.
Bheesma, Drona and Vidhura all wanted Duryodhana to receive Krishna with due respects. At last none could convince the wicked Duryodhana and they simply had to obey the orders of King Duryodhana who ordered that none should show respect to Krisha.
Bheesma the grand sire agreed with Duryodhana that they will follow him, and looking at Vidhura simply murmured "Three in thousand". Drona and Aswaththama did not understand anything and sat simply gazing. The Pandava messenger Krishna, stepped in dressed in silk and radiating a beautiful smile as he entered Duryodhana's court. As soon as Duryodhana saw Krishna he jumped from his seat and welcomed him saying - "Welcome our Lord!". Seeing this Bheesma, Drona and the rest followed the king.
Well, Duryodhana questioned Bheesma and others as to why they gave such a warm welcome to Krishna. Bheesma replied that they had only followed the King as they were his subordinates and it is their duty to follow him. Duryodhana was taken a back and confirmed the same from Karna his best friend.
Here, Bheesma looking at Vidhura smiled about the significance of the name 'Three in thousand" in the Vishnu Sahasranama.
Vashat kaara means the one who directs all. Lord Krishna directs all; under his charismatic force.
He is the Universal Charismatic Charming Controller in all to direct all, as per His wishes. He is the Omnipresent Will, also by His mercy, directs all others to be favorably disposed to us.People who all are waiting for legitimate favors to be granted, can utter "Om Vashat karaya Namaha" so that the Lord pervading those VIPs directs them positively.
'Vishnu', as the name suggests is the ultimate soul that resides in the body and soul of everything that pervades.
The story goes that a girl of 16yrs was left at home by her parents only to be told that she was not older enough to understand the lectures of Sage Garga, an ardent philosopher on Vishnu Sahasranama and was asked to take care of the pot full of butter.
Shanta could hear the knocks at the door, and found an old saint asking for a glass of water. She welcomed the saint and they exchanged talk which made her tell that her parents have gone to listen to the lectures on the second name - 'VISHNU' by sage Garga. The old man said that he would explain the meaning of Vishnu from the Sahasranama.
Within seconds when the girl camewith a glass of water in her hand, could not find the old sage, but literally saw LORD KRISHNA tasting the butter happily.
She was displeased with Krishna for cheating her. Krishna was looking naughty with his mischievous smile on his face. Shanta lost her patience and gave a blow on the boy's back. Lo! the very moment she felt the blow on her back, the butter pot broke into pieces, Sage Garga felt as if some-body had beaten him with a stick on his back. All the audience felt the same. The cows, the calves, the buffaloes, the sheep, the frogs all jumped alike in pain.
Shanta saw that the stick that beat Krishna was also feeling the pain and jumping.
Now, we understand that what the word Vishnu meant. He is the one in all...the ONE IN ALL and everything.
Hence, there should be no ill-feelings towards any soul. For the ultimate soul residing in the soul and body of everything is the pervader Vishnu. Vaishnavism teaches Love and Bhakti by the name Vishnu.
Chanting this name "OM VISHNAVE NAMAHA', will convert even our worst critics into our fans!
Melodious music has the power to invoke emotions within us like jubilant or tranquility. It endows the listener with aesthetic and intellectual pleasure. when its is impossible to be silent where words cannot be expressed, divine music touches the soul with its soothing touch.
