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Adi Sankara gives more quotations in his Vishnu Sahasranama (VS) Commentary from various Hindu scriptures.
Part 3
Kundah – Word No.809 in the VS
One who has limbs as beautiful as Kunda or Jasmine. Or one who resembles a crystal in point of purity or one who gave an offering of ‘Ku’ or earth to Rishi Kasyapa.
Harivamsa says,
Sarva paapa visudhyartham vaaji-medhena cestavaan
Tasmin yajne mahaa-daane dakshinaam Bhrugu-nandanah
Maaricaaya dadau priitah kasyapaaya vasundharaam.
Meaning
Parasu raama , the son of Bhrugu, in order to be freed from all sins, performed the Asvamedha sacrifice. In that sacrifice where great gifts are given, he gladly offered as Dakshina (fees) to Kasyapa, the son of Mariici, the whole of the earth.
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Saptajihvaah – Word No.827 in the VS
The Lord in His manifestation as fire is conceived as having seven tongues of flame. Mundakopanishad 1-2-4 says,
Kaali karaalii ca manojavaa ca sulohitaa yaa ca sudhuumravarnaa
Sphulingini visvaruci ca devi lelaayamaana iti saptajihvaah
Meaning
Fire has seven flaming tongues: Kaali, Karaali, Manojavaa, Sulohitaa , Sudhuumravarnaa, Sphulingini and Visvaruci.
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Kathitah –Word No.848 in the VS
One who is spoken of as the highest by the Veda or one of whom all Vedas speak. The sacred texts say,
Vede Raamaayane punye Bhaaratebharatarsabha
Aadau madhye tatha caa’nte Vishnuh sarvatra giyate
Meaning
It is Vishnu who is glorified in the beginning and end of texts like Vedaa, Raamaayana, and other Puraanas as also of Mahaabhaarata.
(For this word Sankara quotes from Upanishads as well).
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Priyaarhah – Word No.872 in the VS
The being to whom the objects that are dear to oneself, are fit to be offered. The Smriti says,
Yad ya istatamam loke ya cc’aasyadayitam grhe
Tat tat gunavate deyam tad eva’ksyam ichataa
Meaning
If one wants to safeguard and augument what he considers precious in life and what is dear to him in his home- he must give of it to virtuous persons.
My comments
Personally, I have received excellent books from Dr R Nagaswamy, eminent archaeologist, Sekkizar Adippodi Dr T N Ramachandran and many others. My father V Santanam, News Editor, Dinamani also received several books from eminent scholars. That is real Vishaya Dhaanam.
In Tamil there is a popular proverb Thanakkum Minjiyathu Dhaana Dharmam. It is translated as “whatever is left over after one’s personal needs/use is given as charity/donation. This is wrong.
The real meaning is whatever given to a needy one beyond one’s capacity is charity/donation.
The above Smriti couplet quoted by Sankara confirms it.
There is another custom among Hindus who goes to the holiest Hindu city Kaasi/Vaaranaasi (Benares). A Hindu is expected to give up the most liked food item. For example, if I like Okra or Brinjal, I swear on the day I bathe in Ganges, I would not consume this food item from today.
Only when you give up the best liked item, then it is real sacrifice.
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Svastidaksinah — Word No.905 in the VS
One who augments as Svasti (auspiciousness) or one who is an adept in doing what is auspicious.
Brahmaanda Puraana 83-17 says
Smrtesakala- kalyaana -bhaajanam yatra jaayate
Purusas tam ajam nityam vrajaami saranam Harim
Meaning
I seek shelterin that birthless eternal being Hariby whose very remembrance people attain all that is auspicious.
There is another wise saying on this,
Smaranaad eva krsnasya paapa sanghaata panjaram
Satadhaa bhedam aayaati girir vajra -hato yathaa
Meaning
Just as the mountain broke into bits on being struck by the thunder bolt weapon, so also by the very remembrance of Krishna, the heap of accumulated sins get shattered into countless pieces.
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Cakri – Word No.908 in the VS
One who sports in his hand the category of mind in the form of a discus which defeats air in its fast movement.
Cala-svarruupam atyantam javenaa’ntaritaanilam
Cakra svaruupam cahatteVishnuh kare sthitam
Meaning
Mahaavishnu sports in his hand the category of mind in the form of a discus which defeats air in its fast movement.
To be continued……………………………..
–subham—
Tags- 75 Beautiful Quotations, Vishnu Sahasranama Commentary, Part 3, Adi Sankara, Tamil proverb, Dhaanam, Donation
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