3.WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL ABOUT RECITING SAHASRA NAAMAM AND SATHA NAAMAM?

It is said that the various Yugas have their own unique Dharmas that bestow
the same benefits. What can be achieved in one Yuga can be obtained by
adopting a different strategy in the other yugas as follows:

KRITA YUGA: Yoga NishTa or Dhyana (Concentrated meditation)

TRETA YUGA: Yagjna (Severe penance and Sacrifice).
It may be noted that we come across several references to Yaagas and Yagjnas
in Srimad Valmiki Ramayana.
DVAPARA YUGA: Archana (Intense worship by offering)
We have the story of Arjuna offering flowers in Archana to the Siras (head)
of Lord Siva and how the same were seen at the Paada (feet) of Lord KrishNa.
KALI YUGA: Naama Samkeerthanam (Reciting the names of Bhagavaan) and Daanam
(Gifts to the needy). The ?Naama? of the Lord is said to be more powerful
than the Lord Himself!
We have the story of how Rama had to build a bridge to cross over to Lanka
whereas by mere Rama Naama smaraNa, AanjanEya could jump across the vast
ocean.

Also, Thaayumaanavar explains the phenomenon by citing a mundane example. He

says just like a ripe banana in a bunch ripens the rest, Bhajans involving
group Naama Samkeerthanam would transform in due course even a
non-participant into an avid participant!

Thus, the shortcut to achieve maximum effect with minimum effort, in

Kaliyuga is Naama Samkeerthanam

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4. STHUTI AND SRUTI

We recited the StOtrams that invariably concluded with ?Phala Sruti?,
literally, the fruits of recitation of the Sthutis. The question arises as
to what is the difference between the two.

While the ?Sthuti? part, like the Vedas praise the qualities of Bhagavaan
(GuNa anubhavam), the ?Phala Sruti? details the fruits of reciting the
?Sthuti? that would accrue to those who recite as well as those who ?hear?.
That is, probably, why they are called ?Phala Sruti?. Human tendency is that
one would be interested in doing something only if and when one becomes
aware of the fruits of doing that something. At least hearing the benefits
would encourage people to take recourse to reciting the Sthutis. Thus, it is
a kind of psychological introduction!