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Visnu-sahasra-nama

Srimad-Bhagavatam

SB Canto 1

SB 1.19.6, Purport:

The Lord sanctified the River Yamuna from the beginning of His transcendental pastimes in the world. While His father Vasudeva was crossing the Yamuna with the baby Lord Krsna for a safe place at Gokula on the other bank of the river from Mathura, the Lord fell down in the river, and by the dust of His lotus feet the river at once became sanctified. It is especially mentioned herein that Maharaja Pariksit took shelter of that particular river which is beautifully flowing, carrying the dust of the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, mixed with tulasi leaves. Lord Krsna's lotus feet are always besmeared with the tulasi leaves, and thus as soon as His lotus feet contact the water of the Ganges and the Yamuna, the rivers become at once sanctified. The Lord, however, contacted the River Yamuna more than the Ganges. According to the Varaha Purana, as quoted by Srila Jiva Gosvami, there is no difference between the water of the Ganges and the Yamuna, but when the water of the Ganges is sanctified one hundred times, it is called the Yamuna. Similarly, it is said in the scriptures that one thousand names of Visnu are equal to one name of Rama, and three names of Lord Rama are equal to one name of Krsna.

SB Canto 2

SB 2.7.5, Purport:

The Visnu-sahasra-nama prayers mention the Lord's name as sanat and sanatanatama. The Lord and the living entities are both qualitatively sanatana, or eternal, but the Lord is sanatana-tama or the eternal in the superlative degree. The living entities are positively sanatana, but not superlatively, because the living entities are apt to fall to the atmosphere of noneternity. Therefore, the living entities are quantitatively different from the superlative sanatana, the Lord.

SB Canto 4

SB 4.7.41, Translation and Purport:

The fire-god said: My dear Lord, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You because by Your favor I am as luminous as blazing fire and I accept the offerings mixed with butter and offered in sacrifice. The five kinds of offerings according to the Yajur Veda are all Your different energies, and You are worshiped by five kinds of Vedic hymns. Sacrifice means Your Supreme Personality of Godhead.

In Bhagavad-gita it is clearly said that yajna should be performed for Lord Visnu. Lord Visnu has one thousand popular, transcendental names, out of which one name is Yajna. It is clearly said that everything should be done for the satisfaction of Yajna, or Visnu. All other actions a person may take are only causes for his bondage. Everyone has to perform yajna according to the Vedic hymns. As stated in the Upanisads, fire, the altar, the auspicious full moon, the period of four months called caturmasya, the sacrificial animal, and the beverage called soma are necessary requisites, as are the specific hymns mentioned in the Vedas and composed of four letters. One hymn is as follows: asravayeti catur-aksaram astu srausad iti catur-aksaram yajeti dvabhyam ye yajamahah.

SB Canto 5

SB 5.7.6, Purport:

In the Mahabharata, among the thousand names of Visnu, it is said yajna-bhug yajna-krd yajnah. The enjoyer of yajna, the performer of yajna and yajna itself are the Supreme Lord. The Supreme Lord is the performer of everything, but out of ignorance the living entity thinks that he is the actor. As long as we think we are the actors, we bring about karma-bandha (bondage to activity). If we act for yajna, for Krsna. there is no karma-bandha. Yajnarthat karmano 'nyatra loko 'yam karma-bandhanah: (BG 3.9)) "Work done as a sacrifice for Visnu has to be performed. otherwise work binds one to this material world." (BG 3.9)

SB Canto 7

SB 7.5.23-24, Purport:

If one commits any of the above offenses, one must read at least one chapter of Bhagavad-gita. This is confirmed in the Skanda-Purana, Avanti-khanda. Similarly, there is another injunction, stating that one who reads the thousand names of Visnu can be released from all offenses. In the same Skanda-Purana, Reva-khanda, it is said that one who recites prayers to tulasi or sows a tulasi seed is also freed from all offenses. Similarly, one who worships the salagrama-sila can also be relieved of offenses. In the Brahmanda Purana it is said that one who worships Lord Visnu, whose four hands bear a conchshell, disc, lotus flower and club, can be relieved from the above offenses. In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said that a worshiper who has committed offenses may fast for one day at the holy place known as Saukarava and then bathe in the Ganges.

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta

CC Adi-lila

CC Adi 3.47, Translation:

Recording all these qualities of Lord Caitanya, the sage Vaisampayana included His name in the Visnu-sahasra-nama.

CC Adi 3.49, Translation and Purport:

"In His early pastimes He appears as a householder with a golden complexion. His limbs are beautiful, and His body, smeared with the pulp of sandalwood, seems like molten gold. In His later pastimes He accepts the sannyasa order, and He is equipoised and peaceful. He is the highest abode of peace and devotion, for He silences the impersonalist nondevotees."

This is a verse from the Mahabharata (Dana-dharma, Visnu-sahasra-nama-stotra). In his commentary on the Visnu-sahasra-nama, called the Namartha-sudha, Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana, commenting upon this verse, asserts that Lord Caitanya is the Supreme Personality of Godhead according to the evidence of the Upanisads. He explains that suvarna-varnah means a golden complexion. He also quotes the Vedic injunction yada pasyah pasyate rukma-varnam kartaram isam purusam brahma-yonim (Mundaka Up. 3.1.3). Rukma-varnam kartaram isam refers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead as having a complexion the color of molten gold. Purusam means the Supreme Lord, and brahma-yonim indicates that He is also the Supreme Brahman. This evidence, too, proves that Lord Caitanya is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krsna. Another meaning of the description of the Lord as having a golden hue is that Lord Caitanya's personality is as fascinating as gold is attractive. Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana has explained that the word varanga means "exquisitely beautiful."

CC Adi 17.90, Translation:

One day the Lord ordered Srivasa Thakura to read the Brhat-sahasra-nama (the thousand names of Lord Visnu), for He wanted to hear them at that time.

CC Adi 17.91, Translation and Purport:

As he read the thousand names of the Lord, in due course the holy name of Lord Nrsimha appeared. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard the holy name of Lord Nrsimha, He became fully absorbed in thought.

The Caitanya-mangala, Madhya-khanda, describes this incident as follows: Srivasa Pandita was performing the sraddha ceremony for his father, and as is customary, he was hearing the thousand names of Lord Visnu. At that time Gaurahari (Lord Caitanya) appeared on the scene, and He also began to hear the thousand names of Visnu with full satisfaction. When He thus heard the holy name of Lord Nrsimha, Lord Caitanya became absorbed in thought, and He became angry like Nrsimha Prabhu in His angry mood. His eyes became red, His bodily hairs stood on end, all the parts of His body trembled, and He made a thundering sound. All of a sudden He took up a club, and people became greatly afraid, thinking, "We do not know what kind of offense we have now committed!" But then Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu adjusted His thoughts and sat down on His seat.

CC Madhya-lila

CC Madhya 6.104, Translation and Purport:

"‘The Lord (in the incarnation of Gaurasundara) has a golden complexion. Indeed, His entire body, which is very nicely constituted, is like molten gold. Sandalwood pulp is smeared all over His body. He will take the fourth order of spiritual life (sannyasa) and will be very much self-controlled. He will be distinguished from Mayavadi sannyasis in that He will be fixed in devotional service and will spread the sankirtana movement.'"

Gopinatha Acarya quoted this verse from the Mahabharata's Visnu-sahasra-nama-stotra.

CC Madhya 9.32, Translation and Purport:

"(Lord Siva addressed his wife, Durga:) ‘O Varanana, I chant the holy name of Rama, Rama, Rama and thus enjoy this beautiful sound. This holy name of Ramacandra is equal to one thousand holy names of Lord Visnu.'

This is a verse from the Brhad-visnu-sahasranama-stotra in the Uttara-khanda of the Padma Purana (72.335).

CC Madhya 9.33, Translation and Purport:

"‘The pious results derived from chanting the thousand holy names of Visnu three times can be attained by only one utterance of the holy name of Krsna.'

This verse from the Brahmanda Purana is found in the Laghu-bhagavatamrta (1.5.354), by Rupa Gosvami. Simply by chanting the name of Krsna once, one can attain the same results achieved by chanting the holy name of Rama three times.

CC Madhya 10.170, Translation and Purport:

"‘His bodily hue is golden, and His whole body is like molten gold. Every part of His body is very beautifully constructed and smeared with sandalwood pulp. Accepting the renounced order, the Lord is always equipoised. He is firmly fixed in His mission of chanting the Hare Krsna mantra, and He is firmly situated in His dualistic conclusion and in His peace.'

This is a quote from the Mahabharata's Visnu-sahasra-nama-stotra.

CC Madhya 10.171, Translation:

"All the symptoms mentioned in the verse from the Visnu-sahasra-nama-stotra are visible in the body of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. His arms are decorated with sandalwood pulp and the thread received from the Sri Jagannatha Deity, and these are His ornamental bangles."

CC Madhya 24.331, Purport:

Concerning pratah-smrti, remembrance of the Lord in the morning, in the early morning hours (known as brahma-muhurta) one should get up and immediately chant the Hare Krsna mantra, or at least "Krsna, Krsna, Krsna." In this way, one should remember Krsna. Some slokas or prayers should also be chanted. By chanting, one immediately becomes auspicious and transcendental to the infection of material qualities. Actually one has to chant and remember Lord Krsna twenty-four hours daily, or as much as possible:

smartavyah satatam visnur vismartavyo na jatucit
sarve vidhi-nisedhah syur etayor eva kinkarah

"Krsna is the origin of Lord Visnu. He should always be remembered and never forgotten at any time. All the rules and prohibitions mentioned in the sastras should be the servants of these two principles." This is a quotation from the Padma Purana, from the portion called Brhat-sahasra-nama-stotra.

Other Books by Srila Prabhupada

Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead

Krsna Book 69:

Brahmanya means one who fully possesses the brahminical qualifications, which are said to be as follows: truthfulness, self-control, purity, mastery of the senses, simplicity, full knowledge by practical application, and engagement in devotional service. Lord Krsna possesses all these qualities, and He is worshiped by persons who themselves possess such qualities. There are thousands and millions of names of Lord Krsna -- Visnu-sahasra-nama -- and all of them are given to Him because of His transcendental qualities.

Mukunda-mala-stotra (mantras 1 to 6 only)

Mukunda-mala-stotra mantra 2, Purport:

As explained above, all the names of the Lord are as powerful as the Lord Himself, but one can experience different transcendental mellows by chanting His different transcendental names. For example, the sastra (scripture) states that there are one thousand principal names of Lord Visnu, the Personality of Godhead. But if a person utters the name Rama only once, he gets the result of chanting one thousand names of Visnu. And if somebody once chants the name Krsna, he achieves the results obtained by chanting the name Rama three times. In other words, uttering the name Krsna once is equal to uttering three thousand other names of Visnu.

Lectures

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

Lecture on BG 4.12 -- Bombay, April 1, 1974:

The gopis saw narayana-murti but did not become attracted by Him. All the gopis said, "Oh, He is Narayana. Let us offer our respect," and they went away. Actually there is no difference between Krsna and Narayana. (aside:) What is that? But gopis were not very much interested with Narayana. They wanted Krsna, although there is no difference between Narayana and Krsna. Similarly, although there is no difference between Rama and Krsna, some devotees are attracted with rama-murti and some devotees are attracted with krsna-murti. But factually there is no difference.

But in the sastras it is said that if you chant the name of Visnu, Visnu-sahasra-nama, by chanting one thousand times Lord Visnu's name is equal to one name of Rama. And by chanting three times the name of Lord Rama it is equal to one name of Krsna. This is the verdict of the sastra. So when we chant Hare Krsna, Rama is there already, three times. It is not that because we are chanting Hare Krsna we are neglecting Rama, no. With each Krsna name there are three times Rama name. That is the verdict of the sastra.

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

Lecture on SB 1.8.30 -- Mayapura, October 10, 1974:

Of course, even not understanding. Simply by uttering the word "Krsna" in love and affection, one becomes delivered. It is said: eka krsna name yata papa hare, papi haya tata papa karibare nare(?). Krsna-nama is so powerful... It is said, if you chant thousand times Lord Visnu's name, then the result is equal to once chanting Lord Rama's name... I forget that, to recite that verse. But the purpose is this that... Visnu-sahasra-nama is recommended to be chanted by common man. But sastra says that after chanting one thousand of Lord Visnu's name -- there are hundreds and thousands of names -- it is equal to if you chant once Lord Rama's name. Similarly, if you chant three times Lord Rama's name, then it is equal to once chanting Krsna's name. So we understand or not understand, if we chant Hare Krsna, the result is there. Without any offense, if we chant, then the result is... Once chanting of Krsna's name is so powerful that immediately the chanting makes you free from all kinds of reaction of sinful activities.

Lecture on SB 2.1.1 -- Vrndavana, March 16, 1974:

So if we take shelter of the supreme abhayam, Krsna... Therefore one Vaisnava kavi has sung, bhaja hun re mana sri-nanda-nandana, abhaya-caranaravinda re. Abhaya-carana. Krsna's lotus feet is to become free from fearfulness. Bhaja hun re mana sri-nanda-nandana. Particularly sri-nanda-nandana. Nanda-nandana means that Krsna has got many forms: Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, then Visnu, Maha-Visnu. Ananta, advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam (Bs. 5.33). But His real form is in Vrndavana, the son of Nanda Maharaja. Therefore he is advising, bhaja hun re mana sri-nanda-nandana. Krsna... There are Mayavadi philosophers, they say that the Absolute Truth, the Supreme, has no name. Yes. For the persons with poor fund of knowledge, they may not find out Krsna's name. But in the sastra we have got thousands of name. Visnu-sahasra-nama. But what are those names? Name means His behavior with His devotees. Just like "Nanda-nandana." Krsna is the father of everyone -- aham bija-pradah pita (BG 14.4) -- everyone. So how He has got a father? Oh, that is His mercy. He accepts one devotee as His father. And when He's addressed in relationship with His devotee... Nanda Maharaja wanted Krsna as his son. Krsna agreed, "Yes, I shall become your son." So everyone, if you want Krsna as your son... Not to become God, but to become the father of God. The Mayavadi philosophers, they want to become God. But we Vaisnavas, we want to become the father of God. This is Vaisnava philosophy. Father of God means he controls God. He's not controlled by God. So a devotee can get such position. Everyone is being controlled by God, but a devotee is so exalted that Krsna says that "I wish to be controlled by you." This is Krsna's position. Therefore the Vaisnava kavi advises, bhaja hun re mana sri-nanda-nandana, abhaya-caranaravinda re. Durlabha manava, durlabha manava-janama sat-sange taraha e.

Lecture on SB 3.26.35-36 -- Bombay, January 12, 1975:

This Hare Krsna movement is not a manufactured way. This is actually following the Vedic principle. This is Agni-Purana, Brahmanda-Purana, Brahma-vaivarta-Purana, and Kali-santarana-Upanisad. There are many Vedic literatures, they are recommended, this Hare Krsna. Sometime it is said, "Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare"; sometime it is "Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare." So people become puzzled, which one should be first vibrated. So any one you can vibrate. Either you chant Hare Krsna or Hare Rama in the beginning, it doesn't matter. There is no difference between the holy name of Krsna and Rama. But still, there is some distinction. In the sastra it is said that "If you chant one thousand times Lord Visnu's name, that is equal to chanting one name of Lord Rama." Sahasra, sahasra, Visnu-sahasra-nama. And if you chant three times Lord Rama's name, it is equal to one time chanting Krsna's name. This is the shastric injunction.

Lecture on SB 6.2.9-10 -- Allahabad, January 15, 1971:

Sarvesam apy aghavatam idam eva suniskrtam. Suniskrtam. Nama-vyaharanam visnor yatas tad-visaya matih. Now, the Visnuduta says, sarvesam apy aghavatam. Aghavatam means those who are sinful. Agha means sin, and vatam means who are possessors of sinful life. Sarvesam, "Of all kinds of sinful persons," sarvesam apy aghavatam idam eva suniskrtam, "this is the only process by which he can become immediately freed from the reaction." Idam eva suniskrtam. What is that? Nama-vyaharanam: "Simply chanting this mantra," vyaharana. Nama-vyaharanam visnoh. Not that any other name. The foolish persons, they say that "You chant any name, any name," sometimes demigods' names, sometimes his beloved's name. They think that any name, chanting... Because the Mayavadis, they think that everyone is God -- "Even the demigods, they are God. I am God. You are God" -- therefore they say that any name you chant and you will be free. But that's not a fact. Here it is said clearly, vyaharanam nama visnoh: "Only the Supreme Personality of Godhead Visnu's name," visnu-sahasra-nama. There are list of one thousand names of Visnu. So Krsna and Visnu, the same, and it is stated in the sastras that by chanting one thousand holy names of Visnu you can get the result of chanting..., once chanting the name of Rama. If you, say, only chant Rama, by this chanting, you immediately get the result of chanting thousand times Visnu's name. And by chanting three times Lord Rama's name you get the result of chanting once Krsna's name. Therefore by chanting Krsna's name you get all the good results.

Lecture on SB 7.12.5 -- Bombay, April 16, 1976:

The Sukadeva Gosvami said, "My dear King, Pariksit Maharaja, I have described so many faults of this age, and you must be perplexed. It is just like the ocean of faults. But there is one benefit. That is specially for this age." What is that? Kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet: (SB 12.3.51) "If simply this system is introduced, Hare Krsna mantra..." Kirtanad eva krsnasya. This Hare Krsna... Sometimes they come to fight with us that "Why you say 'Hare Krsna'? Why you do not say 'Hare Rama'?" Perhaps you have got experience. But sastra says, kirtanad eva krsnasya. It does not mean that we do not accept Rama as the Supreme Per... That does not mean. Sastra said, kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet. And it is said in the sastra that if you chant Visnu-sahasra-nama, after chanting thousand times Visnu's name, it is equal to one Rama nama. And after chanting thrice Rama nama, it is equal to one Krsna nama. This is said in the sastra. So this Hare Krsna... Of course, in some Puranas the beginning is Hare Rama, but in many Puranas it is Hare Krsna. So we have no objection. Either you begin with Hare Rama or Hare Krsna, we have no objection. But the sastra says, kirtanad eva krsnasya. The Rama and Krsna, there is no difference, but why in the sastra it is said, kirtanad eva krsnasya? So Hare Krsna is quite to the rulings of the sastra. There is no discrepancies, although we have no objection. Either you chant Hare Krsna or Hare Rama.

Nectar of Devotion Lectures

The Nectar of Devotion -- Bombay, January 8, 1973:

Prabhupāda: So, bhakta-sane vasa, satam prasangan mama virya-samvido (SB 3.25.25). The krsna-kathah, or the discussion about the Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes very pleasing, satam, when they're discussed among the devotees. nondevotee, he may go on speaking, but it is dry. It does not give any relish. Therefore it is advised, satam prasangan, one should discuss Krsna consciousness amongst the devotees. So just contrary to this, Sanatana Gosvami says that,

avaisnava-mukhodgirnam
putam hari-kathamrtam
sravanam naiva kartavyam...

Avaisnava, who is not a Vaisnava, Mayavadi... Mayavadi philosophy is very dangerous. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has personally said, mayavadi haya krsne aparadhi. They're offenders to Krsna. Just like the literatures, what is that literature, Krsna is black something?

Devotee: Visnu-sahasra-nama.

Prabhupada: Huh?

Devotee: Some commentary by this Visnu-sahasra-nama.

Prabhupada: Krsna is unknown, a black thing. A Mayavadi, great philosopher of this city, he has explained like that. The Mayavadi philosopher, Dr. Radhakrishnan, "It is not to Krsna." So the Mayavadis' only business is -- because they're avaisnava not Vaisnava -- only business is to kill Krsna. Sanatana Gosvami has, in his Hari-bhakti-vilasa, has very strongly recommended that, "Don't hear anything from, about Krsna, from the Mayavadis or the avaisnavas." Those who are follower, those who are advanced in Krsna consciousness, they can protest. They can immediately chastise the rascal, "What you are nonsense speaking?" But a kanistha-adhikari, he cannot challenge, therefore it is forbidden for them. Not to hear, kanistha-adhikari. For an advanced devotee, this Mayavadi cannot do anything, but those who are neophyte, they become sometimes victim.

Initiation Lectures

Initiation Lecture -- New Vrindaban, September 1, 1972:

Anything about Krsna is Krsna. It will be realized gradually. For the time being you have to take it for acceptance, that "I am chanting the holy name of Krsna. This means that Krsna is personally present on my tongue. Therefore I am in direct touch with Krsna." And we should be very careful so that we may not..., offense, commit offenses, as they are being described. Another, Krsna has got many names: namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-saktis. So of all the names, two names are very important: Rama and Krsna. Therefore in the Hare Krsna mantra, the Rama and Krsna are there, and Krsna's potency, Hare. So in the sastra it is said that one thousand names of Visnu... There is Visnu's one thousand names, visnu-sahasra-nama. If one chants Visnu's names -- there are thousands -- that is equal to one name Rama. And three times chanting the name of Rama is equal to one "Krsna." Therefore we should take advantage to chant Hare Krsna. Although there are many names of Krsna, Krsna is the chief name, mukha, and Lord Caitanya chanted Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. So we should follow Lord Caitanya's footsteps. Although Krsna has got many names, we should, by following the footsteps of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, we should take advantage of chanting this Hare Krsna mantra. Go on.

Conversations and Morning Walks

1974 Conversations and Morning Walks

Morning Walk -- April 5, 1974, Bombay:

Dr. Patel: We accept God what is written in the Bhagavad-gita, all right, in toto.

Prabhupada: Therefore, if we are actually student of Bhagavad-gita, we should accept it in total instead of deviating from that. That is my request. We are teaching that. Why one should deviate?

Indian man (2): Krsna is one reality. He may have many forms. He may have many names. Krsna is one reality. He is correct. But He can have many names. Eko sad-vipra bahudha vadanti.

Prabhupada: Bahudha vadanti, but bahudha are mentioned. Mentioned. Just like Visnu-sahasra-nama. That is in the sastra. Therefore, if you take one of the names, then you have to refer to the sastra, not that you manufacture one word. That you cannot do.

Indian man (2): The sastras were also made by men, sages.

Prabhupada: No, no, then which one you will accept?

Indian man (2): ...by the realized person.

Prabhupada: Yes. Sastra means...

Indian man (2): But you cannot say that in this age there are no realized persons.

Prabhupada: No. It must corroborate.

Room Conversation with Christian Priest -- June 9, 1974, Paris:

Prabhupada: Yes, yes, any name, any name.

Priest: Krsna has no special...

Prabhupada: No. Special there is. In this way, it is recommended in the sastra, recommended in the sastra: harer nama. Harer means of God. Harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam (CC Adi 17.21). So this is the... We have to chant the name of God. This is the prescription. This is Vaisnava.

Priest: Does it matter...

Prabhupada: Now, there are thousands and thousands of names, that we also admitted. At least we have got sahasra-nama, visnu sahasra. But in another place it is said, other Upanisad, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama... This name is recommended. Just like Agni Purana and Kalisantarana Upanisad, in this Vedic literature, this...

Priest: Yeah, but each Upanisad will recommend its own specific Deity, you know. Rama, as you say, Hare Rama. Or Siva.

Prabhupada: Yes, Rama is all right. Rama we chant. Hare Rama we chant. Hare Krsna and Hare Rama. Rama also we chant.

1975 Conversations and Morning Walks

Conversation with Devotees on Theology -- April 1, 1975, Mayapur:

Prabhupada: He krsna karuna-sindho dina-bandho jagat-pate. We have got these names.

Acyutananda: What's another one?

Prabhupada: Gopika-suta.

Ravindra-svarupa: Lord of the mountain.

Acyutananda: Giriraja.

Ravindra-svarupa: The Lord of the Mountain.

Prabhupada: He krsna karuna-sindho dina-bandho jagat-pate. Then?

Ravindra-svarupa: "The brother."

Prabhupada: Gopika...? What is that, next line?

Ravindra-svarupa: "The brother."

Prabhupada: He krsna karuna-sindho dina-bandho...

Devotees: Gopika-kanta radha-kanta...

Prabhupada: The so many names in one verse, and we have got thousands of names.

Prajapati: Lord Caitanya would hear from Srivasa Pandita "The Thousand Names of Visnu."

Prabhupada: Yes. And thousand names, they are recorded, but He has got millions of names.

Pancadravida: In one tape, you said actually God has no name. You said God has no name, but because He...

Prabhupada: No, that is other party's argument, "God has no name."

Pancadravida: No, no. In the tape, you said... In this tape, bhajana, explanation of bhajana, you said, "God... Actually God has no name, but because He does so many things, then He has names for..."

Prabhupada: Yes, according to His activities, there are names.

Garden Conversation with Professors -- June 24, 1975, Los Angeles:

Dr. Pore: Do you believe that Christ said that Krsna was his father?

Prabhupada: The name may be different. Just like in our countries we say this flower something. You say something, something. But the subject matter must be the same. Name is not... You can say in a different way, as you understand. But God is one. God cannot be two. You may give Him different names. That is different thing. But God is one. God cannot be two.

Dr. Wolfe: We may assume, Srila Prabhupada, that God has innumerable names.

Prabhupada: Yes.

Dr. Wolfe: And most of them not known to us. If we can say "most" about innumerable.

Prabhupada: You can... Then you know from us. We can... There is Visnu-sahasra-nama. Then Caitanya Mahaprabhu also. Namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-saktih. Nama... Nama means the name and the person. There are many hundreds and thousands of names, and each name is as good as the person. Because it is absolute, there is no difference between the person and the person's name.

Dr. Judah: If God is known by many different names, though, is it not possible, then, to know God then in many different ways, in many different traditions?

Prabhupada: No. Just like you are the same person, either as professor in the university or at home before your wife, you are the same person. Your wife may address you in a different name, and the students may address you in different name, but you are the same person.

Morning Walk -- November 7, 1975, Bombay:

Dr. Patel: Come to the ship of Krsna. That is what we are deciding.

Prabhupada: Yes.

Dr. Patel: (laughing) That you are not coming to the point of the..., quickly.

Prabhupada: Yes. In this kind of-Bhagavad-gita sloka, Bhagavata sloka, and doll exhibition -- so you prepare. I will give you the suggestion.

Dr. Patel: Sir, I have one point to ask you, that Vyasa Bhagavan was not satisfied, doing all these things, and he finally composed the Bhagavatam. But even Mahabharata can be called equal to any of them. Mahabharata, with the Bhagavad-gita in... With the Vidura-niti, with the Visnu-sahasra-nama and all these things can be equal to any other...

Prabhupada: Stri-sudra-dvija-bandhunam (SB 1.4.25). It is meant for less intelligent class of men: stri, woman; sudra; and dvija-bandhu. Dvija-bandhu means persons who are born in high family but they have no education. Just like a man born in brahmana family...

Dr. Patel: Brahma-bandhu.

Prabhupada: ...but without education, without qualification, he wants to become a brahmana. They are called brahma-bandhu or dvija-bandhu. So Mahabharata is meant for the, these persons: stri-sudra-dvija-bandhunam. They cannot understand directly the Vedic injunctions; therefore it is simplified in a history. Mahabharata is the history. History and stories, ordinary people, they can read with interest. But those who are advanced, they want higher philosophical thoughts. That is Srimad-Bhagavatam. Dharmah projjhita-kaitavo atra paramo nirmatsaranam vastava-vastu vedyam atra (SB 1.1.2). Nigama-kalpa-taror galitam phalam idam (SB 1.1.3). It is meant for higher class. So there are different literatures for different persons. Why there are eighteen Puranas, sattvic, rajasic, tamasic?

1976 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- July 17, 1976, New York:

Prabhupada: Loma-vilaja jagad-anda-nathah.

Indian man: ...jagad-anda-nathah, visnur mahan sa iha yasya (Prabhupada quotes same verse simultaneously) kala-viseso govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami. So he says Maha-Visnu is even one expansion of Krsna, yet in Govindastakam they say, govardhana, gopala govardhana-natha visnu, sri krsna radha gokulesa, gopala govardhana-natha visnu.

Prabhupada: They're all visnu-tattva. Visnu-sahasra-nama-stotra.

Indian man: Because many people... At least among the Indians I get very big argument about it, that it is Maha-Visnu who is Supreme Personality of Godhead, and Krsna is only one avatara of His. And I try to...

Prabhupada: That argument is discussed in the Caitanya-caritamrta.

Hari-sauri: First volume?

Prabhupada: Yes, first volume you see. You see. See the contents. You can't find it? When he is discussing somebody, says Visnu is the origin? So children, how many?

Indian man: No children.

Prabhupada: No children.

Indian man: No children

Prabhupada: That is good than another. (laughs) No responsibility.

Page Title:Visnu-sahasra-nama
Compiler:Visnu Murti
Created:24 of Apr, 2013
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=5, CC=10, OB=2, Lec=8, Con=6, Let=0
No. of Quotes:31