In the afterward to the stotra Goddess Parvathi asks Siva the cosmic god for an easy way to sing this stotra for the learned. The acharyas have attempted to give different meanings to the same word in different places successfully.

Eight hundred and fifteen names are repeated once, Seventy-five of these names are repeated twice, nine of these names thrice and two of these names four times. Though it is called Sahasra Nama in fact it contains only 901 distinct sounding names. With the modern civilization several translations of this stotra is available in English and in almost all major languages of India. Many great Acharyas lead by Sankara Bhagavat Pada, felt a need to give its meaning in crystal clear terms so that the devotee can not only sing but meditate on the aspect of the God he is praising. Though it describes one thousand aspects and praises of the lord, it is not simple and easy to understand. Anushasanika Parva is in the form of questions and answers between Yudishtra and Bheeshma Pitamaha.To a question as to what is the best possible stotra, Bheeshma answers that it is the Vishnu Sahasra Nama and teaches it to Yudishtra. Yudishtra the eldest of the Pandavas became the King of Hasthinapura and whom else would he go for advise other than Bheeshma the great. Meanwhile the war was over leading to death of all those male members in his family except the Pancha Pandavas and the unborn child of Abhimanyu.

But since he could choose the time of his death as per the boons received by him, he chose to die in Uttarayana and was waiting for the auspicious time.

This is found in the Anushasanika Parvam (chapter relating to orders or rules to the kings) of Mahabharatha.īheeshma Pitamaha was defeated and grievously wounded by Arjuna. Literally translated this means thousand names of Vishnu. The Vishnu Sahasranam is found in the Mahabharatha.

Ong namo guru dev namo bedeutung