Book Review: 'The Second Sacred Jewel Of Mahabharata: Shri Vishnu Sahasranama' Enlightens Us About Its History And Spiritual Significance
One is used to chanting of the Vishnu Sahasranama at Satyanarayan Mahapuja. But hardly anyone actually gives a thought to the origin of the 1000 names of Bhagwan Vishnu and their history. Vinay Kshirsagar and Sakshi Dahanukar have taken the trouble of reading, researching and presenting the history of Shri Vishnu Sahasranama for the layman. They have delved deep into Mahabharat, Bhagavat and the…
In their book, "The Second Sacred Jewel of Mahabharata: Shri Vishnu Sahasranama," Vinay Kshirsagar and Sakshi Dahanukar delve into the origins and history of the 1000 names of Bhagwan Vishnu. They researched and compiled the comprehensive work, presenting the history in an accessible manner for lay readers. The book explores the history, meanings, and significance of the Shri Vishnu Sahasranama, which is a part of the Mahabharata and is found in the Anuhasan Parva.
The conversation between Yudhishthir and Bhishma in the book is the starting point of the Vishnu Sahasranama.
Kshirsagar and Dahanukar discuss the various versions of the names over time and emphasize the importance of chanting the Lord of the Universe, the God of gods, and the Infinite Supreme Person through the thousand names to achieve moksha. The book takes readers on a captivating journey through the confluence of Vedas, Upanishads, and other scriptures, illustrating their relevance in a modern context. Chapter by chapter, the authors delve into the journey of Vishnu Sahasranama, demystifying its names and meanings.
The book is divided into nine chapters, with the most intriguing being the detailed characterization of Bhishma, who lived as the last Vasu and had to make choices between Dharma and personal desires. The authors point out Bhishma's straying from Dharma and his complex nature. The book also explores varied interpretations of the Vishnu Sahasranama, including neuro-physical, neuro-acoustic, semantic-psychological, neuro-cognitive, and interdisciplinary perspectives.
The authors conclude that the commentarial history demonstrates the capacity of a single sacred text to sustain metaphysical enquiry, devotional surrender, scholastic rigor, practical spirituality, and contemporary reinterpretation across centuries.
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