विष्णुसहस्रनामावलिः शाङ्करभाष्यसमेता /7

scattered throughout the Paurānic literature. The most
important of these stotras are the Sahasranāmas of Devī,
VIII
 
scattered throuishnu and Śiva.
 
When we speak ghout theenerally of the Sahasranāmas, they
refer only to the Sahasranāmas of the above mentioned
Deities which are found in the Mahābhārata and in the
eighteen principal Pauranic literatureurānas of Vyāsa. The most
important of these stotras are there are also
hymns of this sort found in some of the Āgamas; but
these are not recognised as authoritative by sects other than
those to whom the particular Āgama especially belongs.
 
The Vishnu Sahasranamas of Devi,
Vishnu and Siva.
 
When we speak generally of the Sahasranamas, they
refer only to the Sahasranamas of the above mentioned
Deities which are found in the Mahabharata and in the
eighteen principal Puranas of Vyasa. There are also
hymns of this sort found in some of the Agamas; but
these are not recognised as authoritative by sects other than
those to whom the particular Agama especially belongs.
 
The Vishnu Sahasranaāma, containing 142 verses, is

extracted from the AnusaĀnusāsanika Parva in the 149th

Chapter of the Mahabhaābhārata, in the dialogue between

Bhiīshma and Yudhishtira.
 

 
It is held in great veneration all over India, from Cape

Comorin to the Himalayas and is recited by persons of all
stations in life, by the prince and the peasant, by the
ālayas and is recited by persons of all
stations in life, by the prince and the peasant, by the
ignorant devotee and the fortunate Yogin, on every occasion

of joy or sorrow, fear or hope. Miraculous virtues

are attributed to it and are assured by the author Vyasa

himself.
 

 
THE METHOD OF REPEATING THIS HYMN
 

 
The ancient custom, still observed in the village parts,

especially of the South, is to repeat each name of the

Sahasranaāma, offering Tulasi petals or any available flowers

of the season before the idol of Vishnu in his various

incarnations of Raāma, Krishna, etc. This is done for the

fulfilment of one's desires, or to ward off the evil influence

of planets. Many merely repeat the whole book sitting

before the idol with Bhasma (sacred ashes) in a plate by
 

 
The number of the Chapter is differently given in some

commentaries and in some manuscripts, e.g., Parăsara Bhatta.