ŚRĪ VIṢṆU-SAHASRANĀMA PĀRĀYAṆA | by invitation only
Hello friends
As many of you know, I have always refrained from teaching chanting all these years. A variety of reasons have made me take this decision. However, recently I have had visions where I have received instructions to begin teaching. So I reached out to my my Ācārya, His Holiness Śrī Abhinava Vāgīṣa Brahmatantra Svatantra Parakāla Svāmi Mahā Deśika, to seek his blessings and approval to begin such classes.
He has recently approved my request and asked me to teach under certain conditions. As a first step, he has commanded me to start teaching Śrī Viṣṇu-sahasranāma to selected students who are committing to follow the required Niyama-s (personal disciplines) required of such learning.
The Viṣṇu Sahasranama is a revered hymn containing the 1,000 names of Śrī Viṣṇu, found in the Mahābhārata's Anuśāsana-parva. The great Bhīsṃa taught it to Yudhiṣṭhira, the eldest Pāṇḍava, at the end of the great war.
It is a profound text that glorifies Śrī Viṣṇu’s divine attributes and universal presence. Reciting or listening to the Vishnu Sahasranama is believed to bestow peace, prosperity, and protection from negative influences. It also promotes mental clarity and spiritual growth and helps alleviate worries and fears. Regular chanting is also said to lead to divine grace.
The classes will commence in January 2025, with two monthly classes happening. We will not only chant the text but also explore the meanings of each of these auspicious names of Bhagavān Śrī Viṣṇu. Class timings will be set each month as it will correspond to my travel schedule. Each class will be around 45-50 minutes long. All sessions are audio recorded and made available in our resource centre. Please note that these classes are not open to all!
A suggested donation of €60 per month is requested from each participating student. Donation in other currencies are British £ (£55) | Australian $ (A$95) | New Zealand $ (NZ$105) | Singapore $ (S$90)
All those willing to begin these classes must practice the following Niyama-s.
1) Śākabhakṣatā-saṁkalpa - Lifelong Commitment to consuming only a Vegetarian diet (No Meat, No Bird No Seafood, No egg). Dairy products are allowed.
2) Madya-varjana-saṁkalpa - Lifelong Commitment to not drink any alcoholic drinks or engage in recreational drugs of any kind.
3) Nitya-snāna - Daily bathing/washing body, once in the morning before beginning daily dharma and once after completing daily dharma.
4) Nitya-prārthanā - Lighting of lamp/candle/incense in the altar (after snāna) and offering a prayer/gratitude
5) Mantra-sādhana - if initiated, the daily practice of mantra-japa as per appropriate Vidhi
6) Satya-vrata - the vow to align feelings, words and actions everyday.
7) Āstikya - belief and devotion to the Divine
8) Svādhyāya - regular mentoring with your Ācārya
These disciplines are not meant to be discriminatory. Instead, they will only help you benefit more from this practice. Also, it is only under these conditions that I am authorised to teach and, hence, diligently follow my Ācārya's command.
If you are willing to follow these eight limbs and embark on this project, kindly fill in the registration form. Your application will be reviewed, and if accepted, you will be contacted with further details about the class times. If you have any questions before you would like to join, please feel free to contact me.
Please note that you are welcome to learn these chants with other teachers as well. I am not the only teacher who can teach these.