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VISHNU SAHASRANAMA
 
29
 
"Whatever oblation, gift, austerity, deed, is wrought with-
out faith, is called Asad, O Partha; it is naught, here or
hereafter." From the above quotations of Smritis, we see
that prayers, worship, etc., ought to be performed with
earnestness and without indifference.
 
According to Lord (Bh. G., 17-23) "Om, Tat, Sat,'
this has been declared to be the threefold designation of
Brahman." Though the prayer, Namaskāra, etc., are not
effective and Satvic, yet if performed with earnestness, and
preceded by the three names of Brahman, become effective
and Satvic. Imagining himself as Vishnu, he should pray
and worship. The Karma Kanda portions of the Maha-
bharata say: "He who imagines himself as Avishnu (not
Vishnu) should not praise. He who imagines himself as
Avishnu should not worship Him, he who imagines himself
as Avishnu should not meditate upon Him and he who
imagines himself as Avishnu will not reach Him." We
read in the Vishnu Dharma: "All these are the names of
the Supreme Brahman; so one should recite the names of
the God of gods. Whatever one desires, that, he surely
obtains. The worship of the Teacher of the Universe
enables one to realise all his desires. O Dalbhya, one
should imagine himself as being identical with Govinda
and never otherwise; having identified himself accordingly,
he has all his prayers answered and he reaches the
(Supreme) Abode." The Bh. G. (6-31) says: "The Yogin'
who, established in unity, worshippeth me, abiding in all
beings, dwelleth in me, whatever may be his mode of.
existence." The Vish. Pr. says: "I am Hari, all this is
Janardana; except Him there is nothing else, be it cause or
effect; he that has such a mind suffers not from pains
caused by the pairs of opposites, and those produced by
transmigratory life."
 
(Manu Smr., 2-200) says: "Where there is detraction
or even blame of his Guru, he must stop both ears, or
go from thence elsewhere." Vyåsa Smriti says: "Brahman