विष्णुसहस्रनाम स्तोत्र (महाभारत अनुशासन पर्व - जगद्गुरु आदि शंकराचार्य भाष्य सानुवाद सटीक)

30 VISHNU SAHASRANAMA
itself manifests as the teacher.” Kātyāyana says : “ Rather
remain in the centre of a glowing fire, than among men
who are indifferent to meditation upon Sauri (Vishnu).”
Hence, one should avoid places where people speak insult-
ingly of Vāsudeva. The Sve. Up. (6-23) says : “ If these
truths be told to a high-minded man who feels the highest
devotion for God, and for his Guru as of God, then they
will shine forth.” So the conclusion is that we must culti-
vate supreme devotion to Hari and the Guru. (Vish. Pr.,
6-8) says : “ By repeating His name even unconsciously, a
person is instantly freed from all sins (which run away
from him) just as wolves do from fear of lion.” Whether
knowingly or unknowingly the repetition of the names of
Vāsudeva is made, it dissolves all sins as water, the salt. If
He is remembered even once, the terrible sins of Kali that
inflict pains on men in hell, vanish then and there.
Govinda, once remembered, burns quickly the accumulated
sins of men committed during hundred births, just as the
fire, bales of cotton. That tongue which does not speak
out Govinda ! Govinda ! Govinda !, is a serpent in the
cavity of the mouth. That tongue which does not recite
day and night the glorious attributes of Govinda, is a
creeper of sin planted in his mouth in the form of tongue.
He who pronounces the two letters forming the word Hari,
once, has prepared himself to proceed on his tour to
Moksha. One salutation to Krishna well made is equal to
ten horse sacrifices duly completed ; even the sacrificer is
reborn, while the worshipper of Krishna is not.” From
the above we see that even in the absence of devotion and
earnestness, the recitation of the names (of Vishnu) des-
troys all sin ; more so if the recitation is accompanied by
devotion and earnestness.
The Sruti says : “ First one thinks out by the mind
and next he argues by the tongue ; (Tai. Sam., 6-1-7) :
“ Whatever one thinks out by the mind, that he gives out
by the tongue.” From the above Srutis we find, that