Stotram 1

विश्वं विष्णुर्वषट्कारो भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः ।

भूतकृद्भूतभृद्भावो भूतात्मा भूतभावनः ll

1. विश्वं

Om is the sound symbol of the Lord – a pratIkA (embodiment of Lord) and not a pratimA (reflection).  After every Om there is a break and in that silence, barman is in un-manifest state as in deep sleep.  The cycle of the 3 stated – waking, dream and deep sleep continues.  In Mandukya Upanishad OM is discussed elaborately.  It is taught as 8^th Upanishad for study purposes before Chandogya Upanishad, which is the 9^th Upanishad.

विश्वं = विश्वस्य जायतः l

The word विश्व is derived from the word विश् – that which pervades everything with no exception.  विश्व is the entire cosmos pervaded by विश्वं.

जायतः = जायते गच्छति इति जगत् l

That which comes and goes is jagat.  This universe is not satyam because if it was true, then you must be able to experience the universe in deep sleep state also.  It is relatively real but not absolutely real.  At the same time, it cannot be called Tuccham or non-existing. Therefore, in Vedanta there is a special word which classifies a thing which is not absolutely real, but relatively real and also can’t be deemed as non-existing. The word is ‘Mithya’.  It has no independent existence and to manifest the universe requires the Vikshepa Shakti of Brahman.  It is like a shadow.  Without the light of the Sun there can be no shadow.  This dependent support system is called mithya.  It also denotes various cognition of thoughts.  Universe is made up of objects and all are nama rupa.  The moment a pencil thought arises, you can visualize the pencil.  When you see a pen or a table, a table thought arises.  The object of focus becomes a thought.

In the deep sleep state, all thoughts are resolved into the un-manifest stage.  To dissolve means to remove permanently.  Thoughts cannot be removed permanently, and they can only be resolved.

• विश्वं = कारणात्वेन विश्वं इति उच्यते l

The cause for this universe is Brahman.  Brahman is also called विश्वा.  A black shirt includes the technology, skill, fabric, yarn, etc.  It is a complete finished product and contains all the ingredients required to manufacture the shirt.  The cause is Brahman.  It is the आधारं for all objects – nama rupa.  For example, water is the आधारं for waves, clay is आधारं for pot.

Brahmaji is also from the Brahman and he is called विरिञ्चि.  There is a temple in the south dedicated to Brahmaji.  Lord Shiva is worshipped as the main deity – विरिञ्चि in विरिन्चिपुरं. The whole प्रपञ्च is a manifestation of me, I am real, I am Brahman, I am the आधारं for the Universe.

• विश्वं = यद्वा परस्मात् पुरुषात न भिन्नं इदं विश्वं परमार्थतः l

यद्वा = universe; परस्मात् पुरुषात न भिन्नं = non separate from Brahman and as a 2^nd reality or a parallel reality.  Water and wave cannot be 2 realities independent of each other.  Curd and milk cannot be separated.  Milk exists in curd and is the adhaaram for curd.  This tattva of being non-separate from Brahman is परमार्थतः – the ultimate truth.  When a person thinks of himself as separate from mahavishnu, he is अविष्णुः.  You are Vishnu when you think of yourself as Vishnu.

• विश्वं = सर्वं विशन्ति भूतान्य अस्मिन् इति विश्वं ब्रह्म l

That in which everything resolves is Vishnu.  The silence between 2 ‘OM’s is the un-manifest state of Brahman and again the three states start in a cycle from akara, ukara and makara and there is a silence before starting again.  The waking state, dream state and the deep sleep state take turns in this manner.  भूतान्य अस्मिन् इति विश्वं ब्रह्म all the living beings including me is resolved into Brahman.

• विश्वं = सकलं जगत् कार्य भूतान एषः विशन्ति विश्वं l

Everything resolves into Brahman in the mahapralaya.  I as Brahman am beyond time.  I transcend time.  I am That which enters everything and comes out from a manifesting medium.  Brahman is the वाच्या and ॐ इति ब्रह्मन् is the वाचका.

How Vishnu is to be worshipped or what type of qualities are to be inculcated to become a Vishnu Bhakta.

अहिंसा – he should adhere to non-violence in कायकम् (actions), वाचकं (speech), मानसं (thoughts).

स्वधर्म – he must never deviate from his path of Dharma.

प्रसाद बुद्धि – not expect any fruitful result.  If there is no result as per expectation, then accept the same without reacting by resisting it.

विपक्ष – not taking sides.  Any karma without dharma is of no use.  Dharma only protects.  All actions are vibrations and if actions are within dharma then they are in balance with nature, therefore will be beneficial for humans and other life forms to survive.

न हरति न हन्ति – not take anybody’s property knowingly or unknowingly and not to destroy or harm anybody.