Vishnu Sahasranama - Part 9 - 1000 Names - (verses 41-50 ; covers 375 - 475 Names

Verses 41-45 - Hear youtube video for practice from 12.57 - 13.43  

Udbhavah (375) Kshobhano (376) Devah (377) Shriigarbhah (378) Parameshvarah (379)
Karanam (380) Kaaranam (381) Kartaa (382) Vikartaa (383) Gahano (384) Guhah (385)  - 41

375. Udbhavah - Remover of samsara bondage
376. Kshobhano - One who mixes (prakruthi and jeeva) during creation
377. Devah - Player (one who plays the game of creation and destruction)
378. Shriigarbhah - One who is the cause of (Lakshmi's) womb
379. Parameshvarah - The supreme ruler
380. Karanam - The means for the senses
381. Kaaranam - The cause for the functioning of senses
382. Kartaa - The agent for all happiness and sadness in humans
383. Vikartaa - One who is not changed (touched) by happiness or sadness
384. Gahano - Very deep
385. Guhah - Savior

Vyavasaayo (386) Vyavasthaanah (387) Samsthaanah (388) Sthaanado (389) Dhruvah (390)
Paraardvih (391) Paramaspastah (392) Tushhtah (393) Pushhtah (394) Subhekshanah (395)  - 42

386, Vyavasaayo - One who has resolute mind
387. Vyavasthaanah - The basis for segments of time
388. Samsthaanah - The final end for everything
389. Sthaanado - One who gave the supreme abode to Dhruva
390. Dhruvah - One who is indestructible
391. Paraardvih - One who possesses admirable qualities
392. Paramaspastah - One who explicitly shows his greatness
393. Tushhtah - One who is extremely happy (to be born as Dasaratha's son)
394. Pushhtah - One who is full of noble qualities
395. Subhekshanah - One who has auspicious (mangala) eyes

Raamo (396) Viraamo (397) Viradho maargo (398) Neyo (399) Nayo (400) Anayah (401)
Veerah (402) Shaktimataam shreshtah (403) Dharmo (404) Dharmaviduthamah (405)  - 43

396. Raamo - Delights everyone
397. Viraamo - Makes enemies powerless
398. Viradho maargo - One who shows faultless paths
399. Neyo - One who is obedient to Rishis (In Rama avatar)
400. Nayo - One who protected Rishis (In Rama avatar)
401. Anayah - Cannot be spirited away  (by enemies)
402. Veerah - Valiant (to enemies)
403. Shaktimataam shreshtah - Greater than the powerful Devas
404. Dharmo - One who is Dharma himself
405. Dharmaviduthamah - One who is greater than the dharma conscious Rishis

Vaikunthah (406) Purushhah (407) Praanah (408) Praanadah (409) Pranavah (410) Prithuh (411)
Hiranyagarbhah (412) Shatrughno (413) Vyaapto (414) Vaayur (415) Adhokshajah (416)  - 44

406. Vaikunthah - Removes obstacles of devotees and offers "vaikuntha" for them
407. Purusshah - Purifier of all sins
408. Praanah - Life breath
409. Praanadah - Giver of life
410. Pranavah - The auspicious "AUM"
411. Prithuh - Well known (famous)
412. Hiranyagarbhah - Golden womb
413. Shatrughno - One who helps (devotees) to control their senses
414. Vyaapto - Shows unbiased love to devotees
415. Vaayur - Moves like wind
416. Adhokshajah - Not diminished

Rituh (417) Sudharshanah (418) Kaalah (419) Parameshhthii (420) Parigrahah (421)
Ugrah (422) Samvatsaro (423) Daksho (424) Vishraamo (425) Vishva-dakshinah (426)  - 45

417. Rituh - Seasons
418. Sudharshanah - One who attracts everyone with good darshan
419. Kaalah - Time
420. Parameshhthii - One who dwells in supreme abode (Vaikuntha)
421. Parigrahah - One who accepts everyone
422. Ugrah - Frightening to enemies of dharma
423. Samvatsaro - One who resides with Aadisesha holding weapons (during destruction)
424. Daksho - Quick destroyer (of enemies)
425. Vishraamo - Resting abode to those tired beings
426. Vishva-dakshinah - Lovable. Sincere to all beings irrespective of their good or bad nature

Verses 46-50 - Hear youtube video for practice from 13.43 - 14.29  

Vistaarah (427) Sthaavarah sthaanuh (428) Pramaanam (429) Biijamavyayam (430)
Artho (431) Anarto (432) Mahaakosho (433) Mahabhogo (434) Mahaadhanah (435)  - 46

427. Vistaarah - Spreads out (Krithayuga after destroying kaliyuga)
428. Sthaavarah sthaanuh -  Becomes peaceful after establishing dharma as kalki avatar
429. Pramaanam - The authority of dharma
430. Biijamavyayam - Imperishable (primordial) seed
431. Artho - The goal which devotees always require
432. Anartho - One who is not searched by ill minded people
433. Mahaakosho - One who possesses nine kinds of wealth (Navanidhi)
434. Mahabhogo - One who grants great enjoyment
435. Mahaadhanah - Possesses imperishable wealth

Anirvinnah (436) Sthavishhto (437) Abhoor (438) Dharma-yuupo (439) Mahaa makhah (440)
Nakshatranemir (441) Nakshatree (442) Kshamah (443) Kshaamah (444) Sameehanah (445)  - 47

436. Anirvinnah - Never discouraged (in reforming people)
437. Sthavishhto - Immense
438. Abhoor - One who holds earth and sky
439. Dharma-yuupo - Always united with dharma like how head is united with body
440. Mahaa makhah - Has yagna and sacrifices as his body
441. Nakshatranemir - One who makes stars to revolve in sky
442. Nakshatree -  One who is the cause for the existence of stars
443. Kshamah - Patiently holds the entire universe
444. Kshaamah - One who makes the stars to diminish to only four during pralaya
445. Sameehanah - One who establishes people in their respective dharma after creation

Yagya (446) Ijyo (447) Mahejyashcha (448) Kratuh (449) Satram (450) Sataam gatih (451)
Sarvadarshee (452) Vimuktaatmaa (453) Sarvagyo (454) Gyaanamuttamam (455)  - 48

446. Yagya - He himself is the yagna and its benefits
447. Ijyo - Worshiped in the form of Indra and Devas by those who desire wealth
448. Mahejyashcha - Directly worshiped by devotees who desire him
449. Kratuh - Object of worship in "kratuh"
450. Satram - Object of worship in "Satra yagna"
451. Sataam gatih - The final abode for those who controlled all senses
452. Sarvadarshee - Seer of all dharmas
453. Vimuktaatmaa - Free and liberated soul
454. Sarvagyo - One who knows his indestructible greatness very well
455. Gyaanamuttamam - Passed the greatest knowledge

Suvratah (456) Sumukhah (457) Suukshmah (458) Sugoshaah (459) Sukhadah (460) Suhrit (461)
Manoharo (462) Jita-krodho (463) Viirabaahur (464) Vidaaranah (465)  - 49

456. Suvratah - Good vows
457. Sumukhah - Sweet face
458. Suukshmah - Subtle truth
459. Sugoshaah - One who is praised through the sounds of Upanishads
460. Sukhadah - One who grants everlasting bliss
461. Suhrit - Good hearted
462. Manoharo - Extraordinarily beautiful
463. Jita-krodho - Helps devotees to overcome desire and anger
464. Viirabaahur - Powerful arms
465. Vidaaranah - One who cuts sins (Refers to cutting "Rahu")

Svaapanah (466) Svavasho (467) Vyaapee (468) Naikaatmaa (469) Naikakarmakrit (470)
Vatsaro (471) Vatsalo (472) Vatsee (473) Ratnagarbho (474) Dhaneshvarah (475)  - 50

466. Svaapanah - Lulls to sleep (in Mohini avatar)
467. Svavasho - Felt happy with Devas (in Mohini avatar)
468. Vyaapee - All pervader
469. Naikaatmaa - Many forms
470. Naikakarmakrit - One who does many actions
471. Vatsaro - One who dwells in everyone
472. Vatsalo - Affectionate to those who surrender themselves
473. Vatsee - Has many children (Jivas)
474. Ratnagarbho - One who possess all kinds of Gems (Rathna)
475. Dhaneshvarah - One who immediately grants the desired wealth

Invoking A Deity During Puja

This is festival season. Janmashtami is already over but many more to follow in coming days. For each festival, we perform some kind of Puja. Each Puja is different, but there are few steps which are common for every Puja. In this article, we are going to know about "Shodasa Upachara" which is also called as 16 step worship. All of us perform these steps during Puja but obviously most of us do not know its meaning or what does it talk about. Let us explore more.....

By Saravana Raja R (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The puja process is very similar to inviting a guest to our house. When we want a guest to come home, we formally invite them first. Then, when they visit, we allow them to refresh, then offer beverages and food. In olden days, these methods were even more elaborate. Similarly, during Puja, in these 16 steps, we invoke the deity and offer him various Upacharas. Take a look....

I am not including any mantras here because, for each puja, there will be variations in mantras even though these steps are common. 

1. Dhyanam :

This is the first step. Each Puja has a different deity. By telling the respective sloka, we meditate upon the deity with its full form.

2. Aawaahanam :

In this step, we formally invite the deity for the puja, by chanting the respective verse. If the deity is a male God, then we say "Devesa" ; for a female Goddess, we say "Devesi".

2.a. Praana Prathishta :  

We all have idols for puja. In this step, we are giving life to that idol enrgizing). We can say that we are merging the formless God in the physical idol.

3. Aasanam :

The invited guest is here. So what do we do first ? We given them a seat right? That's what we do here. By chanting the mantras, we offer a seat (Aasana) to the deity.

4. Paadhyam :

In our tradition, we always say "Aditi Devo Bhava", which means we treat guests as God. Hence, in olden days, we used to wash the guest's feet with water. Similarly, here, by chanting the sloka, we wash the feet of deity with water.

5. Arghyam :

In this step, by chanting the respective sloka, we offer water to the deity for washing hands.

5.a. Aachamaneeyam :

We always offer water for guests to drink. Likewise, after giving water for washing feet and hands, now we offer water for the deity to drink.

6. Snaanam :

We give the deity a bath by chanting the corresponding mantra. This is a kind of Abisheka and we do it with many things (according to the availability of supplies) like, milk, curd, honey, panchamritha , water, etc.

7. Vasthra :

After a bath, we give the deity clothes (vasthra) to wear. We also offer various ornaments (as per convenience and availability)

8. Yagnopaveetham :

This is when we offer the sacred thread (Poonal) to the deity by chanting the respective sloka.

9. Gandham :

This step involves applying chandan paste to the idol. 

10. Pushpam :

We offer various flowers and garlands to the deity. All these are done for decorating the deity.

11. Dhoopam :

We light the incense sticks and show the same to the deity

12. Deepam :

Usually, God resides in Garbhagraha, a dark place in temples. Hence to make the deity visible to the devotees, deeparathana is done. Similarly, here, after giving the deity a bath, clothes, ornaments, flowers and fragrances to wear and decorate, we highlight the deity by showing deepa to the idol.

13. Naivedhyam :

By chanting mantras, we offer various prasatha that are made specifically for the puja. Typically, we are offering food for the deity (guest) to eat.

14. Thamboolam :

After food, we always offer betel leaves and nuts to guests. This is generally referred as thamboolam. Though it has a lot of spiritual significance, the basic idea is to aid in better digestion. Similarly, after feeding the deity, we offer thamboolam by chanting slokas.

15. Neeraajanam :

This is nothing but Aarthi. We light camphor and show it to the deity with utmost devotion and thereby get the blessings. After this, we do Pradakshina and Namaskar, just to imply that we are surrendering ourselves to the deity.

16.  Mantra Pushpam :

Fianlly, we say this famous Vedic chanting called "Mantra pushpam". For the detailed meaning and text, click the following link.  To get a quick idea, watch this youtube clip.

http://connectsciencetodivinity.blogspot.com/2015/04/mantra-pushpam-chants-from-yajurveda.html

All Five Senses Activated During Puja :

All our five senses are actively engaged during a Puja. Hearing is activated by mantras, slokas and by ringing the puja bell. Smell is activated by incense sticks, flowers, sandal etc. Touch is activated by applying various substances to the idol. Sight is activated by deeparaathana and aarthi. Taste is activated by the food we prepared as prashad. All our five senses are blended together towards one concentrated point. Imagine how fantastic and peaceful, the puja experience will be, if we perform it with full realization of what we are doing... Have a great Puja year ahead.

Vishnu Sahasranama - Part 8 - 1000 Names - (verses 31-40 ; covers 284 - 374 Names

Verses 31-35 : (Hear youtube video for practice from 11.29 - 12.12) 

Amritaamshudbhavo (284)  Bhaanuh (285)  Shashabinduh (286) Sureshvarah (287)
Aushadham (288) Jagatah setuh (289) Satya-dharma-paraakramah (290)  - 31

284. Amritaamshudhavo - Source of moon and its cool nectar like rays

285. Bhaanuh - Source of sun and its bright rays

286. Shashabinduh - Slays enemies effortlessly

287. Sureshvarah - Lord of all Devas

288. Aushadham - The medicine to get rid of samsaaraa

289. Jagatah setuh - The bridge who separate good and evil in this world

290. Satya-dharma-paraakramah -  Who has truthfulness, valor and does righteous deeds

Bhuta-bhavya-bhavan-naathah (291) Pavanah (292) Paavano (293) Analah (294)
Kaamahaa (295) Kaamakrit (296) Kaantah (297)  Kaamah (298) Kaamapradah( 299) Prabuh (300)  - 32

291. Bhuta bhavya bhavan naathah - The supreme head for three kaalaa - past present and future

292. Pavanah - One who goes everywhere, like wind

293. Paavano - Purifier of (Ganga) which purifies everything

294. Analah - Never satisfied of what he offers to his devotees

295. Kaamahaa -  Destroys worldly desires (in them who prays for moksha)

296. Kaamakrit - Gives the desired benefits (to those who pray for benefits)

297. Kaantah - Who attracts others with his charm and beauty

298. Kaamah - Who is desirable by all means

299. Kaamapradah - One who grants whatever the devotees ask him

300. Prabuh - Supreme power with supreme qualities

Yugaadi-krit (301) Yugaavarto (302) Naikamaayo (303) Mahaashanah (304)
Adrishyo (305) Vyaktaruupash (306) Chaa sahasrajid (307)  Aanandajit (308)  - 33

301. Yugaadi krit - One who starts the yugas
302. Yugaavarto - One who makes the yugas revolve in circles again and again

303. Naikamaayo - One who performs many wonders

304. Mahaashanah - One who is capable of eating even the world

305. Adrishyo - One who cannot be seen (by those who do not love him)

306. Vyaktaruupash - One who manifests himself, to devotees when needed

307. Chaa sahasrajid - One who wins the 1000 chatyuryugas over and over

308. Aanandajit - Does this battle and wins endlessly

Ishhto (309) Vishishtah (310) Shishteshtah (311) Shikandii (312) Nahusho (313) Vrishaah (314)
Krodhahaa (315) Krodhakrit (316) Kartaa (317) Vishvabaahur (318) Mahiidharah (319)  - 34

309. Ishhto - Favorite to all

310. Vishishtah - Impartial to all beings

311. Shishteshtah - One who is most desirable by wise people

312. Shikandii - One who has peacock feathers

313. Nahusho -  One who binds all beings

314. Vrishaah - One who showers his blessings to devotees

315. Krodhahaa - Destroyer of anger

316. Krodhakrit - One who creates anger

317. Kartaa -  Slayer (of kaartaveerya)

318. Vishvabaahur - One who has arms that protects the Universe

319. Mahiidharah - One who supports the world by destroying evil beings

Achyutah (320) Prathitah (321) Praanah (322) Praanado (323) Vaasavaanujah (324)
Apaam nidhir (325) Adhishtaanam (326) Apramattah (327) Pratishthitah (328)  - 35

320. Achyutah - One who does not fall down from glory

321. Prathitah - One who has great reputation

322. Praanah - Life breath of every being

323. Praanado - One who gives breath (life) to every being

324. Vaasavaanujah - One who is born as a brother (Vaasava) to Indra

325. Apaam nidhir - One who sustained the milk ocean when it was churned

326. Adhishtaanam - Who supported the mountain Mandara during the process

327. Apramattah - Cautious (in protecting devotees)

328. Pratishthitah -  Self dependent and happy within himself

Verses 36-40 : (Hear youtube video for practice from  - 12.12 - 12.57) 

Skandah (329) Skanda dharoh (330) Dhuryo (331) Varado (332) Vaayuvaahanah (333)Vaasudevo (334) Bhrihad bhaanur (335) Aadidevah (336) Purandharah (337)  - 36

329. Skandah - Drains evil by destroying demons

330. Skanda dharoh - One who supports Lord Skandha (Muruga)

331. Dhuryo - One who carries the whole world

332. Varado - Grants boons to Devas

333. Vaayuvaahanah - One who has wind as his vehicle

334. Vaasudevo - One who dwells in every being

335. Bhrihad bhaanur - One who is as bright as many thousand radiant suns

336. Aadidevah - The first God

337. Purandharah - Destroys the cities of demons

Ashoka (338) Staarana (339) Staarah (340) Shuurah (341) Shaurir (342) Jaaneshvarah (343)
Anukuulah (344) Shaatavartah (345) Padmee (346) Padmanibhekshanah (347)  - 37

338. Ashoka - Destroyer of all sorrows

339. Staarana - The boat which helps crossing all sorrows

340. Staarah - Supreme savior

341. Shuurah - Always wins in his above efforts

342. Shaurir - Son of valiant vasudeva

343. Janeshvarah - Lord of all beings who take birth

344. Anukuulah - Friendly (to devotees)

345. Shaatavartah - One who has hundreds of curls (waves) 

346. Padmee - One who has lotus in his hands

347. Padmanibhekshanah -  One who has lotus like eyes

Padmanaabho (348) Aravindaakshah (349) Padmagarbhah (350) Shariirabhrit (351)
Mahardhi (352) Riddhoh (353) Vridhaatmaa (354) Mahaaksho (355) Garudaadhvajah (356)  - 38

348. Padmanaabho -  Who has navel in his lotus

349. Aravindaakshah - Who has lotus eyes 

350. Padmagarbhah - Who is seated in lotus-heart of his devotees

351. Shariirabhrit - One who protects the body (of devotees)

352. Mahardhi - One who possesses great riches

353. Riddhoh - One who prospers when his devotees prosper

354. Vridhaatmaa - Very ancient

355. Mahaaksho - Who has great eyes

356. Garudaadhvajah - Who has "Garuda" in his flag

Atulah (357) Sharabho (358) Bhiimah (359) Samayagyo (360) Havirharih (361)
Sarvalakshana lakshanyo (362) Lakshmiivaan (363) Samitinjayah (364)  - 39

357. Atulah - Incomparable

358. Sharabho - Destroys those who cross vedic boundaries

359. Bhiimah - One who is daunting for those who disobey his orders

360. Samayagyo - One who knows the time (to protect the devotees)

361. Havirharih - One who is the receiver of "Havir" that is offered during yagna

362. Sarvalakshana lakshanyo - House of all good qualities

363. Lakshmiivaan - Always seen together with Lakshmi

364. Samitinjayah -  Wins in battling confusions and provides clarity

Viksharo (365) Rohito (366) Maargo (367) Hetur (368) Daamodarah (369) Sahah (370)
Mahidharo (371) Mahaabhaago (372) Vegavaan (373) Amitaashanah (374)  - 40

365. Viksharo - His love towards devotees never shrinks

366. Rohito - Has red complexion like a lotus

367. Maargo - The way which is searched by his devotees

368. Hetur - The cause for all the benefits 

369. Daamodarah - Has worlds in his belly

370. Sahah - Shows patience

371. Mahiidharo - Who sustains the heavy world

372. Mahaabhaago - Who is the place of great fortune

373. Vegavaan - swift

374. Amitaashanah -  Wants great quantities of food