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VISHNU BAHASRANAMA
 
is the river filled with the water of self-control; truth is'
the depth; right conduct is the bank; compassion is the
wave; bathe in it, O son of Pandu, the inner Soul is
never purified by (ordinary) water." Vishnu Smr. says:
Mental bath is meditation upon Vishnu." Manu says
(2-87): "But, undoubtedly, a Brahmana reaches the high-
est goal by reciting prayers only; whether he performs
other rites or neglects them, he who befriends all creatures
is declared to be a true Brahmana." Japa is the best
Dharma of all Dharmas; and non-injury to beings precedes
the Japa sacrifice. Bh. G. (10-15) says: "Of sacrifices,
I am Japa sacrifice." "Pure or otherwise, in whatever
condition he may be, he who remembers the lotus-eyed one
(Vishnu) is purified internally and externally."
 
The attributes of the one Deity mentioned before will
now be described.
 
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11. That from which all beings came out in the begin-
ning of the Yuga, and into which they are indeed dissolved
again when the Yuga comes to an end.
 
Indeed denotes emphasis. When the Yuga comes to an
end, that is when Mahapralaya sets in. The intermediate
stage of existence is also meant here. The Sruti (Tai.
Up., 3-10) says: "From which these beings are born."
 
12. O King, hear from me the thousand names of
Vishnu, the Lord of the Universe, the highest in the
worlds; these remove all sins and fear.
 
Of Vishnu of the one Deity who has been described
by the aforesaid characteristics. The Highest: he is des-
cribed by the various Vidyas which lead one to perceive
(Him). Vishnu: the all pervading. Hear with concen-
trated attention and assimilate. Vishnu Dharma says:
"Hear, O first among the twice-born, the various names
of the one only and all pervading Brahman serve to help
men. Their effects vary according to the objects in view