Part 6: Salvation & Conclusion (Names 787–1000) 🕊️
1. Buddha Avatara: The Deluder (787–810) 🧘♀️
Focus: The avatar taken to mislead the wicked and restore Dharma by separating the good from the bad. The source clarifies this refers to a form described in Puranas (pot-bellied, smiling) rather than solely the historical Siddhartha.
| No. | Name | Meaning (Parashara Bhatta) | Context/Anecdote from Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 787 | Durariha | Slayer of the Wicked Path. | He destroys the wicked path of Asuras by diverting them away from Vedic Dharma. |
| 788 | Shubhangaha | The Handsome Form. | He takes a captivating form (like Mohini) to delude the Asuras. |
| 789 | Lokasarangaha | Essence of the World. | He directs people to either Bhoga (enjoyment) or Moksha based on their nature. |
| 790 | Sutantu | The Beautiful Web/Trap. | He weaves a web of philosophy that traps the wicked so they cannot return to the Vedas easily. |
| 792 | Indra Karma | Acting for Indra. | He acts to help Indra; referenced by the dream of Buddha's mother seeing Indra's elephant (Airavata). |
| 795 | Kritagamaha | Creator of Scriptures. | He created Agamas (like Buddhism/Jainism tenets) that are contrary to Vedas to delude the wicked. |
| 799 | Ratnanabhaha | Jewel-Navelled. | Described as having a pot-belly (sign of a scholar in this context) with a beautiful navel. |
| 801 | Arkah | The Praised One. | Even the wicked/atheists praise Him as "Mahatma" or "Dharmika". |
| 803 | Shringi | The Horned/Feathered. | He holds a bunch of peacock feathers as a sign of Ahimsa (Non-violence). |
| 804 | Jayantaha | The Conqueror. | He conquers the Astikas (believers) through debate and logic. |
| 807 | Akshobhyah | The Unperturbed. | He remains unmoved by arguments because his philosophy is deep. |
| 809 | Mahahradah | The Great Lake. | Sinners drown in Him, while the virtuous bathe and enjoy Him. |
2. The Protector of the Good (811–880) 🛡️
Focus: The Lord's generosity to Satvikas, his presence in the sun/nature, and his mastery over the Ashtama Siddhis (Eight Mystic Powers).
| No. | Name | Meaning | Context/Anecdote from Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 812 | Mahanidhi | The Great Treasure. | He treats his devotees as his treasure. |
| 815 | Parjanyah | The Rain Cloud. | He removes the three fevers (Tapatraya) like a cooling rain. |
| 818 | Amritashah | Feeder of Nectar. | He feeds his devotees the nectar of his auspicious qualities. |
| 823 | Suvratah | Firm Vow. | He has taken a vow (Vratam) to protect anyone who surrenders ("Sakrudeva Prapannaya..."). |
| 830 | Chanurandra Nishudanah | Slayer of Chanura. | Refers to Krishna killing the wrestler Chanura in Mathura. |
| 831 | Sahasrarchi | Thousand-Rayed. | He is the power behind the Sun (Surya). |
| 832 | Sapta Jihvah | Seven-Tongued. | He is the Antaryami of Agni (Fire), which has seven tongues (Kali, Karali, etc.). |
| 840 | Anuh | The Atomic/Smallest. | Ashtama Siddhi (Anima): He can become smaller than the atom. |
| 841 | Brihat | The Biggest. | Ashtama Siddhi (Mahima): He is greater than the greatest. |
| 842 | Krishah | The Lightest. | Ashtama Siddhi (Laghima): He can be as light as cotton. |
| 843 | Sthulah | The Heaviest. | Ashtama Siddhi (Garima): He can be heavy/immovable. |
| 850 | Pragvamshah | The Ancient Lineage. | He gives glory to the Nityasuris (Eternal Angels like Garuda). |
| 861 | Vayuvahanah | Carrier of Wind/Garuda. | He uses Garuda to uplift those who have fallen from Yoga. |
| 865 | Damayita | The Controller. | He controlled Ravana when he tried to enslave nature. |
| 875 | Satya Dharma Parayanah | Intent on Truth/Dharma. | He is pleased by those who follow the path of Truth and Dharma. |
3. Archiradi Margam: The Path to Moksha (881–891) ✨
Focus: The specific path of light taken by the soul (Jeevatma) after death to reach Vaikuntha.
| No. | Name | Meaning | Context/Anecdote from Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 881 | Jyotih | The Light/Fire. | The first step in the path of Archiradi is Fire (Archis). |
| 883 | Huta Bhug Vibhuh | Lord of the Waxing Moon. | Represents the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) stage of the path. |
| 885 | Ravih | The Sun (Uttarayana). | Represents the Uttarayana path (Northern solstice). |
| 886 | Virochanah | The Illuminator/Year. | Represents the Samvatsara (Year) deity on the path. |
| 888 | Savita | The Creator/Rain. | Represents the stage of the Sun/Rain. |
| 890 | Sukhadah | Giver of Bliss. | Key Event: The Amanava (non-human divine being) touches the soul, removing all karma and granting a divine body (Salokya/Sarupya). |
| 891 | Naikadah | Giver of Many Things. | The soul is welcomed in Vaikuntha with decorations, garlands, and Purna Kumbha. |
4. Paramapadam: The Eternal Abode (892–911) 🏰
Focus: The nature of Vaikuntha and the Lord's form there.
| No. | Name | Meaning | Context/Anecdote from Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 892 | Agrajah | The First/Foremost. | He grants the highest pleasures to the Muktatmas (liberated souls). |
| 893 | Anirvinnah | The Worriless. | He becomes free of worry once the soul has safely reached Vaikuntha. |
| 896 | Adbhutah | The Wonderful. | He looks new and wonderful every second to the Nityasuris; they never get bored looking at Him (Sada Pashyanti). |
| 899 | Kapilah | The Dark Blue Cloud. | He appears like a dark cloud amidst the lightning (Lakshmi). |
| 907 | Kundali | Wearer of Ear-Rings. | He wears Makara Kundalas that glisten and outshine the sun. |
| 908 | Chakri | Holder of the Discus. | He holds the Sudarshana Chakra as the leader of weapons. |
5. Gajendra Moksha (912–945) 🐘
Focus: The salvation of Gajendra (the elephant king) from the crocodile.
| No. | Name | Meaning | Context/Anecdote from Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 912 | Shabdasahah | Tolerator of Cries. | He tolerates and understands the indistinct cries of animals (like Gajendra) calling for help. |
| 913 | Shishirah | The Rushing/Cooling One. | He rushed with speed (Tvara) to save Gajendra. |
| 915 | Akrurah | The Non-Cruel. | Even while killing the crocodile, He was not cruel; He gave it salvation. |
| 916 | Peshalah | The Beautiful/Graceful. | In his haste to save the elephant, his dress and ornaments were disheveled, making him look even more beautiful. |
| 918 | Dakshinah | The Apologetic/Polite. | Anecdote: He apologized to the elephant for the delay in arriving ("I should have come sooner"). |
| 924 | Dushkritiha | Slayer of Evil Doer. | He killed the crocodile (Graha) with his Chakra. |
| 926 | Duswapna Nashanah | Destroyer of Bad Dreams. | Hearing the story of Gajendra Moksha removes bad dreams. |
| 930 | Jivanah | The Life-Giver. | He restored the crocodile to its original form as the Gandharva named Huhu. |
| 934 | Jitamanyuh | Conqueror of Anger. | He controlled his anger to ensure he liberated the crocodile while saving the elephant. |
6. The Universal Father & Yagya (946–989) 👨👧👦
Focus: The Lord as the Father of the Universe, the essence of Yagya, and the son of Devaki.
| No. | Name | Meaning | Context/Anecdote from Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 947 | Janajanmadih | Cause of Birth. | He grants birth even to non-devotees based on their Karma. |
| 953 | Prajagarah | The Ever-Awake. | Like a farmer watching crops, He watches over his devotees day and night without sleep. |
| 957 | Pranavah | The Omkara. | He is the A (Paramatma) in A-U-M, connecting to M (Jeevatma) via U (Tayar/Relationship). |
| 970 | Prapitamahah | Great-Grandfather. | He is the Father of Brahma (who is the Grandfather/Pitamaha of the world). |
| 971 | Yagyah | The Sacrifice. | For those who cannot afford Yagya, He becomes the Yagya himself. |
| 982 | Yagya Guhyam | The Secret of Yagya. | The secret is that He is the Antaryami in the fire, the offering, and the chanter. |
| 989 | Devaki Nandanah | Son of Devaki. | The Supreme Lord described in all these names is none other than the simple son of Devaki (Krishna). |
7. The Five Weapons & Conclusion (990–1000) ⚔️
Focus: The Lord armed with the Panchayudha (Five Weapons) to protect the surrendered soul.
| No. | Name | Meaning | Context/Anecdote from Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 993 | Shankhabhrit | Holder of the Conch. | He holds Panchajanya. Andal asks the conch about the taste of the Lord's lips. |
| 994 | Nandaki | Holder of the Sword. | He holds the sword Nandaka, which brings delight (Nanda) to devotees. |
| 995 | Chakri | Holder of the Discus. | He holds Sudarshana, which destroys enemies and protects the good. |
| 996 | Sharngadhanva | Holder of the Bow. | He holds the bow Sharnga; rain of arrows like a cyclone. |
| 997 | Gadadharah | Holder of the Mace. | He holds Kaumodaki; emits flames like the fire of deluge. |
| 998 | Rathangapani | Hand on the Wheel. | Refers to Bhishma's vow: Krishna picked up a Chariot Wheel (Rathanga) as a weapon to rush at Bhishma. |
| 999 | Akshobhyah | Unshakable. | He cannot be shaken from his vow to protect his devotees (Abhaya Pradhanam). |
| 1000 | Sarva Praharana Ayudhah | Ready with All Weapons. | Adi Shankara's View: He uses even his nails (Narasimha) as weapons. Parashara Bhatta's View: He is adept at using all types of weapons to protect the devotee. This confirms his status as Sarveshwara (Supreme Master). |
The Perfect Conclusion 🌟
The Path of Light ✨🛤️
The Archiradi Margam section beautifully describes the soul's journey to Vaikuntha through stages of light - from fire to moon to sun to the divine touch that removes all karma. This isn't just theology but a roadmap showing that liberation has concrete stages and divine assistance.
Gajendra's Cry 🐘💔
The Gajendra Moksha section reveals the Lord's extraordinary compassion. He understands even the "indistinct cries" of animals and rushes so fast to help that His ornaments become disheveled. Yet He apologizes for being "late" - showing that divine love knows no bounds.
The Armed Protector ⚔️🛡️
The final sequence of the Five Weapons creates a powerful image: the Supreme Lord standing ready with conch, sword, discus, bow, and mace to protect anyone who surrenders. The thousandth name Sarva Praharana Ayudhah declares He is ready with ALL weapons - even His nails if needed (as Narasimha).
The Supreme Paradox 🔄💫
The journey from name 1 (Vishwam - The Complete) to name 1000 (Sarva Praharana Ayudhah - Ready with All Weapons) shows the complete circle: He who is everything becomes the ultimate protector of the individual soul.
From Philosophy to Love 💕📿
What makes Parashara Bhatta's commentary profound is how it transforms each name from an abstract concept into a living relationship. The Supreme Lord isn't just Omnipresent - He rushes to help Gajendra. He isn't just All-Powerful - He apologizes for being late. He isn't just Supreme - He becomes the simple son of Devaki.
The Eternal Promise 🙏⭐
The Vishnu Sahasranamam thus completes with the most beautiful assurance: The same Lord who encompasses the universe in name #1 stands ready with all weapons in name #1000 to protect the smallest cry from the humblest devotee.
From Vishwam to Sarva Praharana Ayudhah - this is the journey from cosmic consciousness to intimate protection, proving that the highest philosophy finds its fulfillment in the deepest love.
Reference 🎥
📝 Acknowledgment & Disclaimer
These articles are based on discourses by Sri Dushyanth Sridhar, who renders discourses in English & Tamil on Rāmāyana, Mahābhārata, Bhāgavata, Vishnu Purāna, Bhagavad Gitā, Vishnu Sahasranāma, and Divya Prabanda in the upanyāsam, pravachanam, or kālakshepam style. Visit https://desikadaya.org for more information. These notes are presented solely for educational purposes to help viewers download and benefit from these teachings. Any incorrect interpretations or inaccuracies are mine and unintentional—please forgive me. For any feedback, please send an email.