SVS3

Introduction continues. Adi Shankaracharya, also known as Shankara Bhagavadpada, wanted to write a commentary on Lalitha sahasranamam, before he undertook the bigger work of commentary on Brahma soothram. So, he deputed his disciple to get Lalitha sahasranamam book from library, three times. Every time the disciple came with a copy of Sri VIshnu sahasranamam [SVS[ book only. When Adi Shankaracharya enquired with surprise, why the disciple was bringing only Sri Vishnu saharanamam, the reply was that a beautiful woman [Saraswathi] in the Library wanted Adi Shankaracharya to write commentary on the Sri Vishnu sahasranamam only. Adi Shankaracharya thereafter wrote the commentary on SVS. Even names commonly used to refer other gods, like Shiva, Sthanu, etc., refer Sri Vishnu only, writes Narayana Bhattadri in his Narayaneeyam on Sri Guruvayurappan. Another great Acharya who wrote commentary on SVS is Swami Parashara Bhattar, son of Swami Koorathalwan. His commentary is called Bhagavad Guna darpanam. [Darpanam = mirror]. His commentary explains the endless auspicious qualities of the Lord, exhibited in the Five states of the Lord - Param [Vaikauntam], Vyuham [ as Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyuman and Aniruddha]. Vibhava [ avatars like Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, Sri Narasimha, etc.], Hardha [ inside all hearts of us] and Archa [as Sri Venkatesa or Sri Ranganatha, etc.].