Naama 676-683: The Lord who lifts up His devotees step by step and is worshipped by the great sacrifices

महाक्रमो महाकर्मा महातेजा महोरगः ।

महाक्रतुर्महायज्वा महायज्ञो महाहविः ॥ ७२ ॥

mahākramō mahākarmā mahātējā mahōragaḥ |

mahākraturmahāyajvā mahāyajñō mahāhaviḥ || 72 ||

676. mahākramaḥ · महाक्रमः

The one who provides an easy, step-by-step path to lift up His devotees, who are at the very bottom, until they reach Him.

(oṃ) mahākramāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar gives a lucid example. Just as one climbs a tall building one step at a time, the Lord gradually raises the jeevaathma, birth after birth, through good deeds, the company of the good, and devotion, until the jeevaathma reaches Him. He quotes the Laghu Atri Smriti, "The sins of human beings are destroyed over thousands of births through austerity, meditation, and contemplation, and in the end, devotion to Lord Krishna arises."

677. mahākarmā · महाकर्मा

The one whose actions in helping His devotees are extremely astonishing.

(oṃ) mahākarmaṇē namaḥ

Sri Bhattar describes how the Lord lifts up beings from the lowest levels, like worms and insects, to the level where they can enjoy His supreme glory, even to the level of the nityasuris. Such a wonder cannot even be imagined. This naama occurs again as the 793rd naama, where it is explained differently.

678. mahātējāḥ · महातेजाः

The one whose effulgence destroys the darkness of beginningless ignorance even in those who are tamasic by nature.

(oṃ) mahātējasē namaḥ

The Sruti says, "Narayana is the supreme light" (nārāyaṇa parō jyōtiḥ). The light of a thousand suns is only a small fraction of His light. Thirumazhisai Azhwar calls Him "the light that no one can question" (sōdiyāda sōdi nī).

679. mahōragaḥ · महोरगः

The great one who enters into our hearts, even though we are as small as a particle of dust compared to Him.

(oṃ) mahōragāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar asks, "How does He enter our hearts?" and answers that He enters in the same way that the objects of pleasure enter our hearts, through our senses. When we see His beautiful form, hear His names, and taste the prasadam offered to Him, He enters our hearts. The Azhwars sing, "You came and entered my heart."

680. mahākratuḥ · महाक्रतुः

The great Lord who has the easiest means of worship.

(oṃ) mahākratavē namaḥ

He is to be worshipped through all the acts prescribed by the Agama shastras, and by being offered to Him, these acts become sanctified and sweet. Even a simple act of worship done with devotion becomes a great sacrifice when it is offered to Him.

681. mahāyajvā · महायज्वा

The one who honours above all others the great devotees who worship Him alone with single-minded devotion, without worshipping any other devata for any reason.

(oṃ) mahāyajvanē namaḥ

The Lord considers such devotees to be His very soul and uplifts them, valuing them far above those who worship other deities.

682. mahāyajñaḥ · महायज्ञः

The one whose worship is the best of all forms of worship.

(oṃ) mahāyajñāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar explains that worship includes singing the suprabhatam, approaching Him with respect, offering Him sweet things, and prostrating at His feet. The worship of Lord Vishnu is the best because, as the Mahabharata says, "Bhagavan Vishnu protects His devotees as if they were His own body," and "The Lord Himself accepts with His bowed head all the rites performed by His devotees."

683. mahāhaviḥ · महाहविः

The one who receives the greatest offerings.

(oṃ) mahāhaviṣē namaḥ

Sri Bhattar explains that offerings to the Lord are great because He can be worshipped without the killing of any animal. The Mahabharata describes how, in a great sacrifice to the Lord performed by King Uparicharavasu, no animal was killed (na tatra paśughātō'bhūt). His favourite offerings are pure: salutations, the chanting of the Vedas, and the offering of tulasi leaves.