Before we delve into the opening verse of the Vishnu Sahasranama, let’s immerse ourselves in the captivating story of its origins intertwined with the epic saga of the Mahabharata—a tale of righteousness, valor, and cosmic significance.
The Mahabharata stands as an embodiment of moral dilemmas and righteous struggles, notably the grand Dharmayuddha (war of righteousness) between the Kauravas and Pandavas. This colossal battle, beyond mere physical confrontation, symbolizes the clash between virtue and vice, justice and injustice, echoing profound moral lessons for humanity.
At the heart of this epic conflict was the enigmatic figure of Bheeshma—the valiant son of Ganga, possessing unparalleled might and prowess. His celestial boon granted him the power equivalent to a hundred elephants, rendering him an invincible force on the battlefield. One of his most formidable assets was the boon of ‘Iccha Mrityu,’ signifying that he could only meet death at his own volition. It is relevant to mention that Bhishma was acknowledged to be one of the twelve most knowledgeable people of that era.The other eleven being Brahma , Narada , Siva , Subramanya , Kapila , Manu , Prahlada , Janaka , Bali, Suka and Yama .
Aligned with the Kauravas, Bheeshma’s unwavering loyalty posed a formidable challenge to the Pandavas, seemingly insurmountable for victory. However, destiny had an intriguing turn orchestrated by Lord Krishna’s divine intervention.
In the midst of this chaos, Krishna devised a divine play, manipulating the course of fate. Shikhandini, born as a female but bestowed with a male soul, sought vengeance against Bheeshma for past grievances. She was instrumental in Bheeshma’s downfall, driven by a resolve to end his invincibility.
Shikhandi
Bhishma, renowned for his valor, intervened in a princesses’ swayamvar (a ceremony where princes compete to win a princess’s hand in marriage) and secured the three princesses, Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika, as brides for his half-brother.
Amba, however, was secretly in love with Salva, the king of Saubala. She pleaded with Bhishma to release her, but he refused. Upon reaching Hastinapur, Amba refused to marry the Kuru prince and sought refuge with Salva. Rejected by Salva, who deemed her ‘tainted’ due to her abduction, Amba sought vengeance against Bhishma.
Rejected by her beloved, she sought revenge on Bhishma, attaining a garland from the gods, but none dared to use it against Bheeshma due to his revered status.
After Amba’s tragic fate, she reincarnated as Shikhandi, neither fully male nor female. Shikhandi, with the garland, became the instrument of Bheeshma’s end during the Kurukshetra War.
On the 10th day of the war between the Pandavas and Kauravas during the battle at Kurukshetra, the invincible Bhishma was proving to be too much of an enemy and Lord Krishna (also charioteer to Arjuna) Conceded that Bhishma must die for Arjuna to make any headway in the war, But how can even Arjun try taking aim at Bhishma when he would not lower his weapons? They thought quickly. Arjuna hid behind Shikhandi, seeing whom Bhishma lowered his weapons. Bheeshma, renowned for his unwavering adherence to his vows, had pledged, among other things, to never raise arms against a woman. Arjuna saw the window of opportunity as Bhishm lowered his bow and arrow. He sent forth a volley of arrows that finally killed Bhishma.
The legend would have it that at the end of the epic Mahabharata war, Bhishma was awaiting the sacred hour to depart from his physical body unto the lotus feet of the Lord. Yudhishtira, the eldest of the Pandavas, was desperately looking for the answers to matters relating to Dharma and Karma. Lord Sri Krishna, who understood Yudhistira’s uneasy mind, guided him to Bhishma to gain insight into this precious knowledge. Yudhistira presented Bhishma with six questions.
- Kim ekam daivatam loke? (Who is the greatest Lord in the world?)
- Kim vaapy ekam parayaṇam? (Who is the one refuge of all?)
- Stuvantam kam prāpnuyuh mānavaḥ subham? (By glorifying whom, can man attain peace and prosperity?)
- Kam arcanāt prāpnuyuh mānavaḥ subham? (By worshiping whom can man reach auspiciousness?)
- Kō dharmaḥ sarva dharmānām bhavataḥ paramō mataḥ? (What is, in thy opinion, the greatest Dharma?)
- Kim japam mucyatē jantur janma samsāra bandhanāt? (By doing Japa of what, can a creature go beyond the bonds and cycle of birth and death?)
Bhishma responded to all of these questions by reciting the one thousand names now hailed as the Vishnu Shasranama, and reminded him that either by meditating on these names or by invoking the names through archana (Offering), our minds can be lifted to higher consciousness.
The First Verse of Vishnu Sahasranamam!
शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम्।
प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये॥
Transliteration:
“Śuklāmbaradharam Viṣṇum Śaśivarṇaṁ Chaturbhujam
Prasannavadanam Dhyaayet Sarvavighnopashaantaye”
This verse is an invocation to Lord Vishnu, describing His divine form and attributes. Here’s a deeper look into its meaning:
- Shukla-Ambara-Dharam: Vishnu is portrayed as adorned in spotless, radiant garments symbolizing purity and transcendence. White represents peace, purity, and divine grace, indicating His immaculate nature.
- Shashi-Varṇam: The reference to a bright, moon-like complexion symbolizes serenity, coolness, and tranquility, portraying Vishnu’s divine radiance and soothing presence.
- Chaturbhujam: Lord Vishnu is depicted with four arms, each holding symbolic elements—a conch representing the primal sound of creation, a discus symbolizing cosmic order, a mace signifying mental and physical strength, and a lotus symbolic of purity and enlightenment. These arms symbolize His omnipotence and control over cosmic forces.
- Prasanna Vadanam: The serene and cheerful countenance of Vishnu signifies His benevolence and approachability. His smiling face invites devotees to seek solace and blessings.
- Dhyaayet: We meditate upon you
- Sarva vighnopashantaye: That you make us whole by removing all our obstacles and may we attain Self Realization.
This verse serves as an invocation to Lord Vishnu, urging the readers to meditate upon His divine form to overcome obstacles and seek peace. By contemplating Vishnu’s auspicious form, individuals aim to alleviate hurdles and attain spiritual tranquility.
The Dhyana Shloka from Vishnu Sahasranamam is not just a mere introduction but a profound invitation to embark on a spiritual journey. It beckons seekers to meditate upon the divine form of Lord Vishnu, seeking blessings, harmony, and liberation from impediments on their path.
This shloka is a powerful reminder that Vishnu is always there for us, to help us overcome any challenges we may face. When we meditate on Lord Vishnu, we connect with his divine power and wisdom. We open ourselves to his grace and protection.
The next time you launch the Vishnu Sahasranamam app and delve into this Shloka, you are in for a completely transformed experience. Envision Lord Vishnu’s divine form: a complexion as pure and radiant as a conch shell, a countenance resembling the gentle glow of the moon, adorned with four arms, and a reassuring smile that serves as a beacon guiding you through any challenges that may cross your path.
By joining Sishya, you will not only learn to chant and memorize Vishnu Sahasranamam but will become a full scholar by knowing meanings and significance.