Vishnu Sahasranāma | Verses 41-50

Text 41

Dragging the mortar between the two yamala-arjuna trees, Lord Kṛṣṇa liberated the two sons of Kubera (Uddhava).

Hearing about Lord Kṛṣṇa's transcendental qualities, pastimes, and forms, the devotees become agitated with transcendental bliss (kṣobhaṇa).

Lord Kṛṣṇa enjoys transcendental pastimes (deva).

He possesses all the opulences contained within the universe, and he revealed those opulences to mother Yaśodā when she looked in His mouth to see if He had eaten clay (śrī - garbha).

He is the master of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, the supreme goddess of fortune (Parameśvara), and the benefactor of His devotees, helping them attain perfection in bhakti (kāraṇam).

Using His three potencies He created the material world (kāraṇam). He is the ultimate creator (Kartā). Situated in the heart of the secondary creator, Brahma, He is the actual creator of all planets and all living entities (vikartā).

The activities of His intelligence are very subtle and can be understood only by the wise (gahana). He desires to enjoy confidential pastimes with the residents of Vrājabhūmi (Guhā).

Text 42

That Lord Kṛṣṇa is Śrīman Nārāyaṇa is the final conclusion of all Vedic literatures (vyavasāya).

Lord Kṛṣṇa is endowed with innumerable eternal transcendental attributes (vyavasthāna). He is eternally youthful, and the entire cosmic manifestation enters into Him at the time of annihilation (saṁsthāna).

He gives to His devotees the most desirable station of eternal residence in the spiritual world (sthānada), and He even becomes the submissive follower of His pure devotee (dhruva).

He is endowed with all transcendental opulences (pararddhi), and for this reason He is glorified in all Vedic literatures (parama-spaṣṭa). He is full of transcendental bliss (duṣṭa).

The devotees always try to please Him by offering fragrant incense, palatable foodstuffs, and other pleasing substances (puṣṭa).

His merciful glance is the beginning of all auspiciousness (śubhekṣaṇa).

Note:

Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa quotes the description of the name vyavasāya found in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.3.28):

Kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam

"Kṛṣṇa is Śrīman Nārāyaṇa, the source of all incarnations."

Lord Kṛṣṇa has personally explained the meaning of the name dhruva in the Smṛti-śāstra in the following way:

nirapekṣam munim śāntam
nirvairam sama-darśanam
anuvrajāmy aham nityam
puyeyety aṅghri-reṇubhiḥ

"Because my devotees are indifferent
to the temporary happiness and distress of this world,
they are always peaceful,

and because they do not consider that anyone is their enemy,
they see everyone with an equal eye.

I continually follow these saintly devotees,
so that I may become purified by the dust of their lotus feet."

Text 43

Lord Kṛṣṇa delights the hearts of the yogīs and He enjoys transcendental pastimes with Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī and the gopīs of Vṛndāvana (rāma). He is the ultimate boundary within which everything exists (virāma).

He is attained by following the supreme path of pure devotional service (virajo-mārga), and He is submissive to the devotees who approach Him in friendship (neya).

He carries out the orders of His pure devotees (naya), and they who ignore His orders cannot attain an auspicious destination (anaya).

He is the unequalled hero who casually severed Śiśupāla’s head and killed many other demons also (vīra). He is the best of all powerful devas and yogīs (śaktimatāṁ śreṣṭha), and He is the sustainer of all planets and all living entities (dharma).

He is the maintainer of Manu and all others who know the truth of spiritual life (dharmavid-uttama).

Note:

Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa quotes the following explanation of the name dharma found in the Smṛti-śāstra:

ye ca veda-vido viprā
ye cādhyātma-vido janāḥ
te vadanti mahātmānam
Kṛṣṇam dharmam sanātanam

"Learned scholars who know the meaning of the Vedas
and saints who know the truth of spiritual life
all say that Lord Kṛṣṇa is Śrīman Nārāyaṇa,
who eternally maintains all living entities and the entire world."

Text 44

Lord Kṛṣṇa appeared as the son of Vaikuṇṭha-devī, the wife of Śubhrā, (Vaikuṇṭha).

He is the supreme person (puruṣa). He is dear as life for the devotees (prāṇa), and He purifies the devotees' senses (prāṇada).

He is eternally young, and He is worthy of receiving the respectful obeisances of all living entities (praṇava). He generously considers His devotees equal to Himself (pṛthu). He is knowledge,

He is the goal of knowledge, and He is approached by the cultivation of transcendental knowledge (Hiraṇyagarbha). He kills lust, greed, and all other enemies of His devotees (Śatrughna). Attracted by the love of His devotees, he always remains within their hearts (vyāpta).

Many times He defeated Jarāsandha, the king of Magadha (vāyu).

He is beyond the reach of the blunt material senses and, as He rested beneath a cart, He killed the demon Śakaṭāsura (adhokṣaja).

Note:

Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa quotes the following explanation of the name Prāṇava, found in the Smṛti-śāstra:

praṇamantīha yam vedas
tasmāt praṇava ucyate

"Śrīman Nārāyaṇa is known as Prāṇava
because all the personified Vedas offer respectful obeisances to Him."

The name Hiraṇyagarbha is explained in the following way in the Bhagavad-gītā (13.18):

jñānam jñeyaṁ jñāna-gamyaṁ

"Śrīman Nārāyaṇa is knowledge,
the object of knowledge, and the goal of knowledge."

In the name adhokṣaja, adhaḥ means beneath, Akṣa means the wheel of a cart, and ja means born. In this word, ja means "born for a second time: or "rescued".

This use of the word ja is shown in the following quote from the Smṛti-śāstra:

dadṛśur nihatām tatra
rakṣasīm vana-gocarāḥ
punar-jāto 'yam ity āhur
uktas tasmād adhokṣajaḥ

"When the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana saw
the giant demoness Pūtanā had been killed by Kṛṣṇa,
they cried out: "Kṛṣṇa is safe.
It is as if He has taken birth for a second time before our eyes."

Because the Vrajavāsīs called out in this way, Lord Kṛṣṇa is known as Adhokṣaja."

Text 45

Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is endowed with all wonderful transcendental attributes, enters the hearts of His pure devotees, who are all full of love for Him (ṛtu).

He is supremely handsome (Sudarśana), and he is also the time-factor, which destroys all things (kāla). He removed the burden of the earth (parameṣṭhī).

It should be understood that devas are not supreme, but Kṛṣṇa is Śrīman Nārāyaṇa, (parigraha).

He assumes a terrible feature to kill the demons (Ugrā), He always remains with His devotees (samvatsara), and His supreme handsomeness is revealed to the residents of Vṛndāvana (dakṣa).

He removed the gopīs' fatigue during the rāsa dance, and He removes the fatigue of the devotees in general (viśrāma). He will give the entire world, and even Himself, to His pure devotee (viśva-dakṣiṇā).

Note:

Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa quotes the following description of the name Sudarśana, found in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam:

yad dharma-sūnor bata rājasūye
nirīkṣya dṛk-svastyayanam tri-lokaḥ
kartsnyena cādyeha gatam vidhātur
arvak-sṛtau kauśalam ity amanyata

"All devas from the upper, lower, and middle universal planetary systems assembled at the altar of the Rājasūya sacrifice performed by Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira.

After seeing the beautiful bodily features of Lord Kṛṣṇa, they all contemplated that He was the ultimate dextrous creation of Brahmā, the creator of human beings."

The name Viśva-dakṣiṇā is explained in the following quote from the Smṛti- śāstra:

dadāty ātmānam apy ajaḥ

"The unborn Śrīman Nārāyaṇa is so kind
that He gives Himself to His pure devotee."

Text 46

Lord Kṛṣṇa engages in many different loving relationships with His devotees (vistāra).

Removing the burden of the unnecessary defence forces of many demonic kings, Lord Kṛṣṇa restored the earth to a peaceful condition (sthāvara). At the end of the Kali-yuga He will appear as Lord Kalki to re-establish the Vedic principles (Sthāṇu).

He always speaks the truth (pramāṇaṁ), and He is the imperishable seed of all existence (bījam avyayam).

The pure devotees free from material desires strive to attain Him (artha), and those filled with many desires cannot strive to attain Him, but prefer to worship devas to attain heavenly sense-gratifications in the svarga planets (anartha).

He is the master of an unlimited treasury (mahā-kosa), and He is full of all transcendental opulences (mahā-bhāga). He is the master of all wealth (mahā-dhāna).

Note:

Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa quotes this description of the name Sthāṇu, found in the Smṛti-śāstra:

sthāpayitvā sva-maryādām
svayam bhuvi hitām hitām

"Descending to this world at the end of the kali-yuga,
Śrīman Nārāyaṇa
will re-establish the principles of religion,
and bring auspiciousness to the earth."

The name artha and anartha are explained in the following verses from the Smṛti-śāstra:

catur-vidhā mama janā
bhaktā eva hi te smṛtāḥ
eṣām ekantinah śreṣṭhas
te vai vānyad adevatāḥ

aham eva gatis teṣām
nirāśīḥ sarva-karmaṇām
ye tu śiṣṭās trayo bhaktāḥ
phala-kāmā hi te matāḥ

"Four kinds of persons become My devotees:
the distressed, those in need of money, the curious,
and those seeking transcendental knowledge.
Of these 4 kinds of men,
those seeking transcendental knowledge,
who have Me as the only goal in their life are the best,
and the others are considered more or less materialistic.
I am the only goal of the exalted souls
who have no desire to attain material benefit
by performing various fruitive activities.
The other three kinds of devotees are inferior
because they strive to attain some material results for their endeavours."

The name mahā-dhāna is explained in the following statement from the Smṛti- śāstra:

kim alabhyam bhagavati
prasanne śrī-niketane

"Lord Kṛṣṇa is Śrīman Nārāyaṇa,
full of all opulence and all transcendental bliss,
and He is the master of the goddess of fortune.
No one can say that Kṛṣṇa requires to obtain something,
because He is already the master of everything
in both the spiritual and material worlds."

Text 47

Lord Kṛṣṇa is not discouraged by the rebelliousness of the conditioned souls, and He always acts for their welfare and protection (anirviṇṇa).

His form is larger than the cluster of stars known as the Śiśumāra-cakra (sthaviṣṭha) and He appears as the Dhruvaloka planet, about which the other planets revolve (bhū).

He is the pillar upon which all religious principles rest (dharma-yūpa), and all the great Vedic sacrifices are meant for His satisfaction (mahā-makha).

He causes the motion of all the planets (nakṣatra-nemi), and He is the monarch who rules all planets and stars (nakṣatra). He controls the movements of the planets (kṣamā), and He is situated within all the planets (kṣamā).

Pious persons aspire to attain Him (samīhana).

Note:

Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa quotes the following description of the name nakṣatra-nemi found in the Smṛti- śāstra:

alāta-cakravad yānti
vāta-cakreritāni tu
yasmāj jyotiḥsi vahati
pravahastena samsmṛtaḥ

"It is because of the order
of Śrīman Nārāyaṇa
that the luminous planets and stars
move about in their orbits,
like sparks moving in the wind."

It may be noted here that the names in this verse describe Lord Kṛṣṇa's feature as the master of the planets and stars.

Text 48

Lord Kṛṣṇa appeared as the avatara Yajña, the son of Prajāpati Ruci and Ākūti- devī (yajña), and He is the supreme object of worship (ijya).

He should be worshiped with all grandeur and all royal paraphernalia (mahejya), and the ritualistic ceremonies prescribed in the Vedas are intended for His worship (Kratu).

He is the protector of the devotees, and He is valued by them as their only wealth (satraṁ).

Only the pure devotees are able to attain His association (satāṁ gatiḥ). He see everything, and He especially notices the activities of His devotees (sarva-darśī).

He is free from any material contact (vimuktātmā), and because He is the Super-soul in the hearts of all creatures, He knows everything (Sarvajñā). He is the supreme object of knowledge (jñānam uttamam).

Note:

Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa quotes the following explanation of the name sarva-darśī:

darśana-dhyāna-saṁsparśair
matsya-kūrma-vihaṅgamāḥ
svāny apatyāni puṣṇanti
tathāham api padmaja

"By vision, by meditation, and by touch only
do the fish, the tortoise and birds maintain their offspring.
Similarly do I also, O Padmaja."

The Śruti-śāstra explains the meaning of the name jñānam uttamam:

satyam jñānam anantam brahma

"The unlimited Personality of Godhead is the supreme truth
and the supreme object of knowledge."

The name yajña is described in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.7.2):

jāto rucer ajanayat suyamān suyajña
ākūti-sūnur amarān atha dakṣiṇāyām

"Śrīman Nārāyaṇa appeared as Lord Yajña,
the son of Prajāpati Ruci and His wife Ākūti."

Text 49

Lord Kṛṣṇa is pleased with the devotees who faithfully keep their vows to serve Him (suvrata). His smiling face reveals His bliss (sumukha). His spiritual form is eternal and full of knowledge and bliss (sūkṣma).

By expertly playing the flute, He charms and pleases the minds of Brahma and all other living entities (sughoṣa), and delights everyone (sukhada). He is the well-wishing friend of the devotees (suhṛt), and the handsomeness of His three-fold-bending form captures their minds (manohara).

Even though ferociously attacked by the Kāliya serpent, Kṛṣṇa did not become angry, but was merciful to His adversary (ajita-krodha).

With His powerful arms, He can crush the greatest of heroes (vīra-bahu). Even though Bakāsura was big as a mountain, Lord Kṛṣṇa easily split his beak as if it were a blade of grass (vidāraṇa).

Note:

Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa comments on the name ajita-krodha by quoting the prayers of the wives of the Kāliya serpent:

krodho 'pi te 'nugraha eva sammataḥ

"O Lord, even though this serpent
is by nature very angry and envious to You,
You are very kind, and You have forgiven him."

Text 50

Full of fraternal love, devoted Lord Kṛṣṇa massages the lotus feet of Lord Balarāma, fatigued with the day's playing, and makes Him fall asleep (svāpana).

Kṛṣṇa is supremely independent, and according to His own wish He convinced the residents of Vraja to worship Govardhana Hill instead of Indra (svavaśa).

At every moment He is present everywhere (vyāpī), and He also expands His original form into innumerable Viṣṇu-tattva forms (naikātmā).

He enjoys various wonderful transcendental pastimes to accommodate the varieties of spiritual love the different devotees bear for Him (naika-karma-kṛt).

He personally calls each calf by its own name (vatsara), and He is also very affectionate to them (vatsala). He is the master of innumerable calves (vatsī).

He is like a most precious jewel born from Yaśodā- devī (ratna-garbha).
He is the master of numberless Surabhī cows (dhaneśvara).

Note:

Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa quotes the description of the name svāpana found in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam:

svayām viśrāmayaty āryam
pāda-saṁvāhanādibhiḥ

"Lord Kṛṣṇa performed many services
to please His elder brother, Balarāma.
Sometimes, when Lord Balarāma felt fatigued,
Kṛṣṇa would massage His legs,
and thus cause Balarāma to fall into a pleasant sleep."

The name naikātmā is described in the Śruti-śāstra:

ekatvam ajahad eva bahu-rūpaḥ
eko 'pi san bahudhā yo 'vabhāti

"Although the Supreme Personality is one,
He has expanded into innumerable Viṣṇu-tattva forms."