Naama 123-128: The one who possesses the six auspicious qualities and the powers of Sankarshana

Vyuha Swaroopam (Naama 123-146)

123. mahātapāḥ · महातपाः

The one who, like Sankarshana, Anirudha, and Pradyumna, is endowed with excellent jnanam. This naama is a personification of Sankarshana.

(oṃ) mahātapasē namaḥ

The word tapas here means knowledge, based on the Mundaka Upanishad: "whose austerity consists of knowledge" (yasya jñānamayaṃ tapaḥ). From this name, Sri Bhattar describes the vyuha forms, and sees these names as the answer to Yudhishthira's third question, "By praising whom?" (stuvantaḥ kam).

सर्वगः सर्वविद्भानुः विष्वक्सेनो जनार्दनः ।

वेदो वेदविदव्यङ्गो वेदाङ्गो वेदवित्कविः ॥ १४ ॥

sarvagaḥ sarvavidbhānuḥ viṣvaksēnō janārdanaḥ |

vēdō vēdavidavyaṅgō vēdāṅgō vēdavitkaviḥ || 14 ||

124. sarvagaḥ · सर्वगः

Through His power and strength, He can control everything encompassed within the boundaries of creation. This naama is a personification of Anirudha.

(oṃ) sarvagāya namaḥ

125. sarvavit · सर्ववित्

The one responsible for new creation after pralayam and the dissolution of creation during pralayam. This naama is a personification of Pradyumna.

(oṃ) sarvavidē namaḥ

The name can mean "the one who knows everything" or "the one who obtains everything" (sarvaṃ vētti vindati vā). As Pradyumna, He recovers all the souls that were absorbed into Him as Sankarshana at the time of dissolution, and sends them forth into a new creation.

126. bhānuḥ · भानुः

The one capable of controlling astronomical bodies. This naama is also a personification of Pradyumna.

(oṃ) bhānavē namaḥ

Despite all His acts of creation and sustenance, He remains unchanged and continues to shine undiminished (bhāti iti bhānuḥ).

127. viṣvaksēnaḥ · विष्वक्सेनः

The one who accepts those who seek asylum.

(oṃ) viṣvaksēnāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar explains this name as referring to Aniruddha, the protector. The word sēnā is explained as "that which is always with its master". The Lord's armies stand ready in every direction for the protection of the world. The name also belongs to Vishvaksena, the commander of the Lord's forces and the first Acharya after Thaayaar in our guru parampara.

128. janārdanaḥ · जनार्दनः

The one who removes any impediments in the path of those who seek asylum within Him.

(oṃ) janārdanāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar quotes the Udyoga Parva: "He is Janardana because He protects people from the dasyus" (dasyutrāṇāt janārdanaḥ). Sri Sankara gives two more meanings: "the one who destroys the wicked" and "the one whom people approach with their requests" (janaiḥ ardyatē yācyatē).