Thousand Names: A Collection of Sahasranama (Set of 4 Books)

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Chanting the names of Gods and Goddess invokes a religious fervour in people, and helps them focus on the Almighty.

This series has a listing of a thousand names of Gods and Goddesses, whose names and forms are endless and each of which is signigicant to the devotee.

Sahasranama or the thousand names of a deity is perhaps the most extensive elaboration of the Divine Name. It is the most popular and the holiest form of the Divine Being.

Every name or strotra of the Divine Being is an invocation of a particular cult deity, like Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha and so on. These names, strung together into verses, indicate the inexhaustibility of the attributes and glories of that deity. The glories of God manifest themselves in many ways through the sentient and the insentient, and by chanting these names; the devotees show their adoration for the Lord. These names create the holy link with their Maker.

The thousand names of Shiva were first chanted by Krishna for the benefit of Yudhishthira in the presence of Bhishma. Then came the thousand names of Vishnu by Bhishma to Yudhishthira in Krishna's presence on the same occasion. Since Ganesha is the Lord of all obstacles and is the one whose worship is foremost, his thousand names came into being.

Each of these books need not necessarily contain exactly thousand names. The numbers may be increased or decreased according to the devotee's choice. What matters ultimately is that these names are the shortest expression of the profoundest meanings.

Sahasranama or the thousand names of a deity is perhaps the most extensive elaboration of the Divine Name. It is the most popular and the holiest form of the Divine Being.

Every name or stotra of the Divine Being is an invocation of a particular cult deity, like Vishnu, Shiv a, Ganesha, and so on. These names, strung together into verses, indicate the inexhaustibility of the attributes and glories of that deity. The glories of God manifest themselves in many ways through the sentient and the insentient, and by chanting these names; the devotees show their adoration for the Lord. These names create the holy link with their Maker.

The thousand names of Shiva were first chanted by Krishna for the benefit of Yudhishthira in the presence of Bhishma. Then came the thousand names of Vishnu by Bhishma to Yudhishthira in Krishna's presence on the same occasion. Since Ganesha is the Lord of all obstacles, and is the one whose worship is foremost, his thousand names came into being.

Each of these books need not necessarily contain exactly thousand names. The numbers may be increased or decreased according to the devotee's choice. What matters ultimately is that these names are the shortest expressions of the profoundest meanings.

Sahasranama or the thousand names of a deity is perhaps the most extensive elaboration of the Divine Name. It is the most popular and the holiest form of the Divine Being.

Every name or strotra of the Divine Being is an invocation of a particular cult deity, like Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha and so on. These names, strung together into verses, indicate the inexhaustibility of the attributes and glories of that deity. The glories of God manifest themselves in many ways through the sentient and the insentient, and by chanting these names; the devotees show their adoration for the Lord. These names create the holy link with their Maker.

The thousand names of Shiva were first chanted by Krishna for the benefit of Yudhishthira in the presence of Bhishma. Then came the thousand names of Vishnu by Bhishma to Yudhishthira in Krishna's presence on the same occasion. Since Ganesha is the Lord of all obstacles and is the one whose worship is foremost, his thousand names came into being.

Each of these books need not necessarily contain exactly thousand names. The numbers may be increased or decreased according to the devotee's choice. What matters ultimately is that these names are the shortest expression of the profoundest meanings.

Sri Narasimha Iyer (b. 21st August 1874 – d. 19th October 1956) was a lively, energetic and studious child brought up in a deeply religious and generous atmosphere. Later, he became a leading lawyer, politician and a person of social eminence.

A tragedy in the family acted as a turning point for his leaving the warmth and security of his home. This quest lasted for more than eleven years until he went to Shirdi to have ‘darshan’ of Sai Baba’s samadhi. It was on that historic day, 29th August 1936, which changed the course of his life. Sai Baba took possession of Narasimha Swami ji.

Dr. Rabinder Nath Kakarya (b. 19th March 1967) is a multifaceted personality. He did his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Delhi and took teaching as profession.

With Sai Baba’s blessings and the traditional values imbibed from his parents his attention was directed towards religion and philosophy. Apart from teaching Physics, he is relentlessly collecting, compiling and translating writings on the Life and miracles of Shirdi Sai Baba.

He has translated and compiled thirteen books on Shirdi Sai Baba. He has also sung Sai Bhajans which have been released as Audio Cassettes and CDs. At present he is engaged in spreading the name and message of Shirdi Sai Baba through literary works and bhajans.

In this Kali Yuga (Iron age) Japa is the easiest and surest way for God-realization. Japa is the repetition of any mantra or name of the Lord.

Practice of Japa removes the impurities of the mind, destroys sins and brings the devotee face to face with God. The glory of the name of God cannot be established through reasoning. It can certainly be experienced through faith, devotion and constant repetition.

Every name of Sahasranamavali or the thousand names of a deity like Ganesha, Vishnu, Shiva, Shirdi Sai Baba etc. is filled with countless powers. Just as the fire has the natural property of burning things, so also the name of God has the power of burning the sins and desires.

Japa is the rod in the hands of the blind Sadhakas to plod on the road to realization.

By constant repetition of the Mantra, the Sadhaka imbibes the virtues and powers of the Deity that presides over the Mantra. Repetition of the thousand names of Shirdi Sai Baba will bestow health, long life, vigour, vitality, Tejas or brilliance. It will control, command and drive off the evil spirits and evil influences. It will bestow on you wisdom and intelligence. It will confer on you wealth and remove poverty. It will avoid accident, remove incurable diseases and calamities.

Sai's Name is your boat, Sankirtan is your raft. Cross this ocean of Samasara with this boat and raft. Take refuge in Lord Sai with all your being, and chant His Name with devotion. This is the final verdict of the Sastras and the considerate opinion of the saints. Chanting of the Lord's Name brightens the mirror of mind, burns the forest of desires and bathes the whole being in a flood of joy.

Naam (Name) Japa must become habitual. It is the easiest, quickest, safest, Surest and Cheapest (we do not spend any money while doing Japa) way for attaining God-realization.