Introduction: Devotional prayer are two forms. A silent repetition of a divine name or of a verse in praise of a deity is referred to as Japa. An audible chant of such names or verses is called the Stotra. Of the latter the Sahasranama form, especially the Vishnu Sahasranama, devoted to the Lord Vishnu have a special place in the everyday devotional routine of the people.The Vishnu Sahasranama, or the 1000 names of the Lord Vishnu appears in the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata and are articulated by Bhishma, in response to Yudhishtira’s question as to who was the Supreme Being whose praise and worship was sure to bring salvation. The unique feature of this event is that Bhishma gave his answer in the presence of Krishna Himself.
Lord Vishnu is also called Nilameghashyamalan – possessing a complexion the colour of the dark clouds with the santha gunam, bringing light & peace to the world. He rests on the ocean on his bed of Adisesha serpent with 1,000 heads. Any time Lord Vishnu takes an avataram to rescue the people from evils. He is all merciful, ever rushing to serve his devotees. In the form of Mahavishnu he has four arms wielding the chakra, conch, lotus & the gadha in his four arms.
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