VISNU SAHASRA-NAMA-II

After answering Yudhisthira’s questions, Bhisma proceeded to recite the one-thousand names of Visnu. At the outset, we must note that the one-thousand are not the names of a cult-God. The Vaisnava-Saiva rivalry has no meaning and substance. One of the great services to religion rendered by Sri Sankara, was to show up the meaninglessness of this rift. One of the offences against the Name (nama-aparadha), as we have already seen, is to make a distinction between Visnu and Siva.

To demonstrate the truth that there is no difference whatever between Visnu and Siva, Sankara cites several verses from the Puranas, which are generally relied upon by the followers of the different cults, Some of these text are the following: -

In the Bhavisyat-purana, Mahesvara declares thus:

"They who consider Me or Brahma to be different from Visnu are endowed with crooked minds; they are tortured in the hells below"

"Those foolish and wicked people, who regard Me, Hari, and Brahma, as different, are guilty of a sin that is equal to Brahmanicide".

visnor-anyam tu pasyanti ye mam brahmanam eva va, 

kutarka-matayo mudhah pacyante narakesvadhah 

ye ca mudha duratmanah bhinnam pasyanti mam hareh 

brahmanam ca tatas-tasmat brahmahatya-samam tvagham.

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