Vaishnava Philosophy Sri Nama Some say "God has no name," but we cannot limit the Unlimited. Since God is unlimited, His names also must be unlimited. Therefore we cannot settle on one name. True, there is only one God, but He is known under many different names. Just as there is only one sun that is known under many different names. These names are given according to time, place and circumstances and are, in the case of God, always connected to His characteristics. The very word "God" is derived from the ancient Germanic word gudda, meaning "the All-good." The Lord has innumerable characteristics, like His innumerable devotees and innumerable relations with them, and He therefore also has innumerable names. Throughout history we find the Supreme Lord being invocated and addressed by name, either direct or indirect. This is generally done with different names that show various characteristics of the Lord, though there may be a preference for a specific name that will then appear more often than others. Thus even in a certain religious tradition God may be known more widely under one specific name. But that does not necessarily impose a limitation. For example, the Islamic tradition lists more than 90 names for the Lord: Al-Adl Al-Afuw Al-Akhir Al-Ali Al-Alim Al-Awwal Al-Azim Al-Aziz Al-Badi Al-Bais Al-Baki Al-Bari Al-Barr Al-Basir Al-Basit Al-Batin Al-Fattah Al-Ghaffa Al-Ghafur Al-Ghani Al-Hadi Al-Hafiz Al-Hakim Al-Hakk Al-Halim Al-Hamid Al-Hasib Al-Hayy Al-Jabbar Al-Jalil Al-Jami Al-Kabir Al-Kabiz Al-Kadir Al-Kahhar Al-Kaiyum Al-Karim Al-Kawi Al-Khabir Al-Khafiz Al-Khalik Al-Kuddus Al-Latif Al-Majid Al-Makik Al-Mani Al-Matin Al-Mu'akhkhir - The Just - The Pardoner - The Last - The Exalted - The Knower - The First - The Grand - The Mighty - The Incomparible - The Raiser - The Enduring - The Maker - The Righteous - The Seer - The Spreader - The Hidden - The Opener - The Forgiver - The Forgiving - The Independent - The Guide - The Guardian - The Ruler, The Wise - The Truth - The Celement - The Laudable - The Reckoner - The Living - The Repairer - The Majestic - The Collector - The Great - The Restrainer - The Powerful - The Dominant - The Subsisting - The Generous - The Strong - The Aware - The Abaser - The Creator - The Holy - The Subtle - The Glorious - The King - The Withholder - The Firm - The Deferrer Al-Mu'id Al-Mu'izz Al-Mu'min Al-Mu'ti Al-Mubdi Al-Mughni Al-Muhaimin Al-Muhyi Al-Mujib Al-Mukaddim Al-Mukit Al-Muksit Al-Muktadir Al-Mumit Al-Muntakim Al-Musawwir Al-Mushi Al-Muta-ali Al-Mutakabbir Al-Muzil Al-Rafi Al-Razzah Al-Wadud Al-Wahhab Al-Wahid Al-Wajid Al-Wakil Al-Wali Al-Warith Al-Wasi An-Nafi An-Nur Ar-Ra'uf Ar-Rahim Ar-Rahman Ar-Rakib Ar-Rashid As-Sabur As-Salam As-Samad As-Sami Ash-Shadid Ash-Shakur At-Tawwab Az-Zahir Az-Zarr Dhu'l-Jalah wa'l-Ikram Malik ul-Mulk - The Restorer - The Honorer - The Faithful - The Giver - The Beginner - The Enricher - The Protector - The Quickener - The Approver - The Bringer Forward - The Strengthener - The Equitable - The Prevailing - The Killer - The Avenger - The Fashioner - The Counter - The Exalted - The Great - The Destroyer - The Exalter - The Provider - The Loving - The Bestower - The One - The Finer - The Advocate - The Patron, The Governor - The Heir - The Comprehensive - The Profiter - The Light - The Kind - The Compassionate - The Merciful - The Watcher - The Director - The Patient - The Peace - The Eternal - The Hearer - The Witness - The Greatful - The Accepter of repentance - The Evident - The Distresser - The Lord of Majesty and Liberality - The Ruler of the Kingdom In a similar way we find ten names for the Lord in the Kabbalistic traditions: Eheia Jod Elohim El Elohim Gibor - Essence of Divinity - Wisdom - Providence - Mercy, Grace, Piety - Judgement, Power Eloha Adonai Sabaoth Elohim Sabaoth Sadai Adonai Melech - Glory and Beauty - Justice, Triumph, Victory, Eternity - Agreement and Piety - Omnipotence - Empire The ancient Vedic literatures, however, provide us with the most elaborate listing of names of God known to man. The various Puranas and other scriptures contain many thousands of names (sahasra-namas) of the Lord in general or from specific incarnations of the Lord. Also here the Lord is known by various names according to His characteristics. He is called Devaki-nandana because He accepted Devaki as His mother. He is called Nanda-nandana and Yasoda-nandana in relationship with Nanda Maharaja and Yasoda, His foster father and mother. He is called Partha-sarathi because He was the chariot driver of Arjuna. He is Bhakta-vatsala, affectionate to His devotees. He is Gopinatha, the Lord of the gopis. He is Gopijana-vallabha, beloved of the inhabitants of Vrindavan. He is Bhava-grahi Janardanda, who understands one's mental attitude. He is Varadaraja, the best of the givers of benedictions. He is Avatari, the source of all incarnations. He is Radha-ramana, the lover of Radharani. He is Govinda, who gives pleasure to the cows and to everyone's senses. And He is Krishna. If any transcendental name belongs to the Absolute Personality of Godhead, it must be the name indicated by the word Krishna, which means "the All-attractive." One is attractive who is wealthy, powerful, famous, beautiful, wise, or renounced. The Supreme Person possesses in fullness all wealth, all power, all fame, all beauty, all wisdom, and all renunciation; therefore He is Bhagavan. Bhaga means "opulence" and van means "one who possesses." Being complete in His all-attractiveness, Krishna's name contains all other possible names as well, it is therefore explained in the Vedic scriptures that Krishna is the original name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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