Sloka 10:Vishnu Sahasranamam: Jagat

In the previous post, we saw Slokas 8 and 9 together. We saw that Yudhishtra asks several questions to Bhishma. We also stated that these questions constitute the most fundamental religious questions. In this and subsequent posts, we shall see how Bhishma replies. Bhishma enters into a monologue. Bhishma's reply begins from sloka 10 and ends at sloka 22. Given the depth of meaning in these slokas, we will devote a post to each sloka. This post discusses sloka 10.

There is another aspect regarding the structure of Vishnu Sahasranamam, which is worth noting here. The first sloka (śuklāṁbaradharaṁ viṣṇuṁ) (here and here) till the sixth sloka (yasya smaraṇamātreṇa) (here) are not a part of the Anushasana Parva of Mahabharata. These slokas constitute the Purvabhaga or the Prologue to the Vishnu Sahasranamam. It is only from Sloka 7 (here) that Vishnu Sahasranamam as in the Mahabharata begins. Although Slokas 7 to 22 are strictly not a part of the Sahasranama (thousand names), they constitute a prelude to the Sahasranama. Nevertheless, in line with tradition, the numbering of the Slokas in this series of posts (here) begins from śuklāṁbaradharaṁ viṣṇuṁ and continues till the end. 

Sloka 10

Transliteration

śrī bhīṣma uvāca

jagatprabhuṁ devadevamanaṁtaṁ puruṣōttamam |

stuvannāmasahasreṇa puruṣaḥ satatōtthitaḥ || 10  

Meaning

The supreme ("uttamam") Purusha, who is ever up and working for the welfare of all, the Lord ("prabhum") of the world ("jagat") the endless ("anantam") – Sri Maha Vishnu.

Commentary

Slokas 10-22 are important because Bhishma replies to those fundamental questions thast Yudhishtra asks. The importance of Bhishma and his answers, which is what Vishnu Sahasranamam is about, has been aptly summed by Parasara Bhattar, the great Vaishnavite commentator of Vishnu Sahasranamam. Prof. A Srinivasa Raghavan, the translator of Bhattar's work states so of the six reasons:

"1. It is the essence of Mahabharata which is a mine of good things.

2. It has been sung by several sages in many places.

3. It has been strung together by the great sage Vyasa.

4. It is considered the opinion of Bhishma that it is the best and easiest of all Dharmas.

5. It is accepted by all that it is the easiest and most important successful means for the attainment of all fruits.

6. It is in conformity with the teachings of Bhagavad Gita and other religious texts."

(Prof. A. Srinivasa Raghavan, Sri Vishnu Sahasranama: with the Bhashya of Sri Parasara Bhattar, p. II-III- "ASR", for short)

jagatprabhu: the lord of the world

devadeva: the god of gods

ananta: eternal, boundless, eternal, infinite

purushottama: the highest being/ Supreme Spirit

stuvan: praising

nama: name

sahasrena: by a thousand

satatam: continuously

Readers may recollect that in the eighth and the ninth slokas, Yudhishtra poses six questions, which are listed below:

"1. Which is the Supreme Deity?

2. Which is the highest goal?

3. Which is the deity that is to be worshipped?

4. Which is the deity whose name has to be chanted?

5. Which is the greatest Dharma?

6. Which is the means that will bring about release from Bondage?" [ASR, p. III]. 

Bhishma does not answer the question in the same order in which Yudhishtra poses the questions. Commentators suggest that Bhishma answers the questions almost in reverse order. He answers the sixth question first, moves on to the fourth, then the third and then the fifth, the second and, lastly, the first- 6-4-3-5-2-1.

For the sixth question, Bhishma answers: "The chanting of the names of Sri Krishna , who is the Supreme Deity and Purushottama, should be done for obtaining release from bondage." [ASR, p. III]

Sloka 8 & 9: Vishnu Sahasranamam

In the previous post, we saw the questions raised by Yudhishtra in the eighth sloka on the Supreme Being. Yudhishtra asks: "Who is the One Supreme Being which the Scriptures declare? What is the one Supreme Goal which should be sought ? By the recitation of what mantra is a person released from the bonds of repeated birth and death? Which in your opinion is the highest form of religion?" (translation by Pandit U.Ve. Sri Rama Ramanuja Achari). In the ninth sloka, Yudhishtra continues with his questions. As we stated in the previous post, the 8th and the 9th slokas represent the fundamental questions on the purpose of life for every Hindu. Hence, the previous post and the present post are combined in the form of a single post so that the meaning of both the slokas become clear.

Slokas 8 and 9: Text 

Transliteration

śrī yudhiṣṭhira uvāca 

kimekaṁ daivataṁ lōke kiṁ vāpyekaṁ parāyaṇaṁ | 

stuvaṁtaḥ kaṁ kamarcaṁtaḥ prāpnuyurmānavāḥ śubham || 8 ||

kō dharmaḥ sarvadharmāṇāṁ bhavataḥ paramō mataḥ |

kiṁ japanmucyate jaṁturjanmasaṁsārabaṁdhanāt || 9 ||

Meaning:

Yudhishthira asked:

In this wide world, Oh Grandpa,

Which is that one God,

Who is the only shelter?

Who is He whom,

Beings worship and pray,

And get salvation great?

Who is He who should oft,

Be worshipped with love?

Which Dharma is so great,

There is none greater?

And which is to be oft chanted,

To get free.

From these bondage of life, cruel? (Swami Krishnananda)

Another Meaning

Yudhisthira said:— Who is the One Supreme Being which the Scriptures declare? What is the one Supreme Goal which should be sought ? By the recitation of what mantra is a person released from the bonds of repeated birth and death? Which in your opinion is the highest form of religion?

What spiritual path is that, which according to thy judgment is the foremost of all paths? What are those mantras by reciting which a being becomes freed from the bonds of birth and death? (Pandit U.Ve. Sri Rama Ramanuja Achari)

Commentary

(from the previous post on the 8th sloka): In the 8th and the 9th Slokas, Yudhishtra ask certain questions, which the Hindus regard as the fundamental questions regarding the purpose of life and how to pursue it. Since Vishnu Sahasranamam, through Bhishma, answers these questions, the Sahasranama is one of the most important works for a Hindu. You would hear the Sahasranamam being played in the morning in every Hindu home. The purpose of this is to be reminded of the answers to these fundamental questions.

Yudhishtra first starts of with THE question: "Who is the One Supreme Being which the Scriptures declare?". Thereafter, he asks what should the ultimate purpose of life or goal of a person be? "What is the one Supreme Goal which should be sought?" He then asks: "By the recitation of what mantra is a person released from the bonds of repeated birth and death?". Yudhishtra, knowing the multitude of paths towards gods, through different religions, sects, practices, etc., and the consequent confusions that ensue, asks: "Which in your opinion is the highest form of religion?".

He asks Bhishma's advice on what spiritual path is that which is the foremost of all paths. He also asks what mantras free a person from the bonds of birth and death.

These questions constitute the fundamental purpose of the Hindu philosophies and are the gateway to a spiritual life.