Vishnu Sahasra Naamam-Vol V-Rr-edit.pub - Ahobilavalli

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The detailed explanation is provided under nAma43 (Slokam 5).
b) For the current instance of the nAma, SrI BhaTTar gives the
interpretation- svayam ca dharmAcAryakeNa dhAtA - He is called dhAtA
because He practices dharma rigorously, and is thus the best Preceptor of
dharma.
SrI M.V.rAmAnujAcArya explains SrI BhaTTar's interpretation based on the
root "dhA - dhArana poshaNayoH" - to support, to sustain", and explains SrI
BhaTTar's interpretation as referring to bhagavAn being the Sustainer and
Supporter of the earth through strict adherence to dharma in all His
incarnations. Thus, He sets Himself as a model for us to follow. SrI BhaTTar
gives support from the gItA:
na me pArtha asti kartavyamtrishu lokeshu ki'ncana |
nAnavAptam avAptavyam varta eva ca karmaNi ||
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(gItA 3.22)
"For Me, arjuna! There is nothing in all the three worlds which ought to be
done, nor is there anything that has not been acquired, and ought to be
acquired. Yet I go on working" (to set an example to others, as explained
further in Sloka 3.23 of the gItA).
Different interpreters give their different anubhavam-s of the unending
dimension of His guNa of protecting and nurturing all His creation.
SrI aNNa'ngarAcArya explainsthe nAma as - He Who supports the world
through His teachings (in the forms of veda-s, gItA etc.)., and through His own
code of conduct (during His incarnations).
SrI kRshnan illustrates this by referring us to Lord rAma's incarnation, which
is an outstanding example of the adherence to dharma in all its intricacies.
For the earlier occurrence of this nAma, SrI vAsishTha gives the
interpretation that bhagavAn supports (bears) the earth in the form of
ananta.