Vishnu-The Lord of the Universe-Chapter#8

Lord Vishnu- the most enchanting person of the Universe

FIVE FORMS OF MANIFESTATION OF LORD

The Supreme Lord manifests Himself in five different forms for the benefit of His devotees. These forms are 1) Para, 2) Vyuha, 3) Vibhava, 4) Antaryamin and 5) Archa.

Each one of these five forms is briefly described below:

1. Parama Roopa

Para is the transcendental form of the Supreme Lord in His Highest Abode called the Parama Pada. Those who are residents in the Paramapada called the Nitya Suris or the eternally free celestials, the souls released from bondage. This form of Lord Vishnu is therefore not open to the mortal people of the mundane world.



Vishnu and Lakshmi riding on Garuda-The Eagle

2. Vyuha Roopa

From the Puranas it is learnt that the Devas or demi-gods when in serious trouble approach Brahma the First-born and seek ways to solve their problems. The gods headed by Brahma reach the Milky Ocean where the Supreme Lord Vishnu is resting in His serpent couch in meditative sleep. The main purpose of manifestation in the Vyuha form seems to be to provide an opportunity to the Vedic gods to experience the blissful presence of the Lord so as to render devotional service to Him. This form is not available for ordinary humans who have to be satisfied with the Para and the Vyuha forms portrayed in images and murtis.




Lakshmi Idol

3. Vibhava Avatar

The descent of the Supreme Lord by way of incarnations is called Avatar. The need and purpose of such incarnations in various forms are found in Bhagvad Gita. Lord Krishna says ”Arjuna, whenever there is a decline of righteousness and unrighteousness takes the upper hand I will incarnate to save justice, for the protection of dharma and for the destruction of the wicked, therby re-establishing Dharma".

The two epics namely Ramayana and the Mahabharata describe in great detail the exploits of the Supreme Lord in His various incarnations.

Vibhava or descents of the Lord has its particular time and place and this form is available only to those who are living during the period of these Avatars. Others have to console themselves by hearing or reading about the Lord.




Lord Vishnu is resting on the Divine snake-Moolavar form
The Murti form can be seen in front.

4. Antaryamin Form

The term Antaryamin refers to the indwelling spirit form of the Supreme Lord in all humans. The Lord resides in each human beings, animals, plants. The Lord resides in a very subtle form in the inner recess of the human heart for the purpose of meditation in order to realize Him by His grace.



A portrait of Lord Vishnu

5. Archa Avatara

The words Archa avatara denote the descent of the Supreme Lord in image or murti form for adoration, prayer and worship. Of all the forms of the Lord, the Archa or murti form is visible to everyone and easily accessible for worship. Formless or attribute less Brahman (Creator), besides being incomprehensible, reduces the spiritual practice into a sterile, soul-less and tedious exercise. Name, images, idols add more interest to any subject. Murtis and images are the most favourable items for the concentration of mind for worship and meditation. Image worship serves the very useful purpose of prompting religious fervor, stimulating devotion and creating a spiritually elevating divine atmosphere.

Next Chapter#9: Idol Worship

Lord of the Universe-Vishnu-Chapter#7

One of the essential requirements for a devotee in order to lead a religious life is to have a well qualified Acharya or Guru. Only a teacher can guide a pupil towards knowledge and enlightenment. The inner meaning of the philosophical truths cannot be attained by just self-study. Any devotee has to fully realize that he is absolutely dependent on God and that his intrinsic duty is to serve God at all times. He should realize that he is a mere tool in the hands of God and do all actions not for his selfish purposes but with a spirit of providing pleasure to God and this is the height of renouncement of ego.

Vishnu-The Lord of the Universe-Chapter#6

Shri Vaishnavam

Panentheism

Panentheism belief system is one which states that the one Supreme God interpenetrates every part of nature and timelessly extends beyond imaginations. Vaishnavam is a form of Panentheism in which Lord Vishnu is considered the Ultimate Reality. Lord Narayanan is viewed as a creator behind the universe and the source of universal truth. Panentheism is essentially a unifying combination of theism (God is the supreme being) and pantheism (God is everything). Panentheism holds that God is the “supreme affect and effect” of the universe. During the great battle of Mahabharata, Lord Krishna's saying to Arjuna: "I continually support the entire universe by a very small fraction of My divine power,".

Etymology

The name Vaishnavam is a formation from the Sanskrit Vaishnava. It means belonging to or derived from Vishnu. I was browsing through websites. I found this interesting quote, which I would like to quote.

"He is a true devotee of Vishnu who knows and feel others calamities as his own, ever ready to serve the society, One who keeps his thoughts, words and deeds pure. Blessed are the parents of such a person. He treats women as he would treat his own mother. He keeps his mind calm and does not stain his lips with falsehood, nor does he touches others wealth. Ever in tune with Rama-nama (name of God), within his body is present all places of pilgrimage. Free from greed and deceit, passion and anger.

Vishnu-The Lord of the Universe-Chapter#5

Lord Vishnu resting on Adhi-Sesha and His consort Goddess Lakshmi attending to him.

Adhi Sesha

Sesha is generally depicted with a massive form that floats coiled in space, or on the universal ocean, to form the bed on which Vishnu lies. Sometimes he is shown as five-headed or seven-headed, but more commonly as a many hundred-headed serpent. He is closely associated with Vishnu. Balarama and Lakshmana are considered avataras of Sesha. Sesha represents time. Sesha covers Vishnu’s head depicting that Lord Vishnu has won time. Each head of the giant snake represents innumerable desires, pleasures and maya(illusions). Vishnu rests on this serpernt majestically to signify that He has won all desires and He is beyond human perception.


Garuda-The giant eagle and mount of Vishnu.


Garuda in Hindu mythology is the mount (vahanam) of Vishnu. Garuda is depicted as having a golden body, white face, red wings, and an eagle's beak and wings but a man's body. Garuda is the half brother of Arunan, Lord Surya’s charioteer.
Source: Write-up on Garuda is a wikipedia modified article.

Lord Hanumaan

Hanuman is a vanara who lived during the Treta Yuga. Hanumaan is believed to be an avtar of Lord Shiva. He was a very close friend of Lord Ram. Also known as 'Anjaneya' (son of Anjana), He is one of the most important personalities in the Indian epic, the Ramayana. Hanumaan and Vinayakar are the only two deities who aren’t controlled by the ill-effects of Shani. Anjana was worshipping Lord Shiva, elsewhere, Dasaratha, the king of Ayodhya, was performing the Putrakama Yagna in order to have children. As a result, he received some sacred pudding, to be shared by his three wives, leading to the births of Lord Rama(Vishnu avtar), Lakshmana(Adhi-Sesha Avtar), Bharata(Vishnu’s conch or sangu) and Shatrughna(Vishnu’s chakra). By divine ordinance, a fragment of the pudding flew in the air. Vayu, the Hindu deity of the wind, delivered the falling pudding to the outstretched hands of Anjana, who consumed it. Hanuman was born to her as a result. Hence Vayu is considered to be foster father of Hanumaan. When Lakshmana is severely wounded by Indrajit during the war against Ravana, Hanuman is sent to fetch the Sanjivani, a powerful life-restoring herb from the Dronagiri mountain in the Himalayas to revive him. When he is unable to find the specific herb before nightfall, Hanuman again displays his might by lifting the entire Dronagiri mountain and brings it to the battlefield in Lanka, thus helping others find the herb to revive Lakshmana. An emotional Rama hugs Hanuman, declaring him as dear to him as his own beloved brother Lakshmana.

Shortly after he is crowned Emperor upon his return to Ayodhya, Rama decides to ceremoniously reward all his well-wishers. At a grand ceremony in his court, all his friends and allies take turns being honored at the throne. Seeing Hanuman come up to him, an emotionally overwhelmed Rama embraces him warmly, declaring that he could never adequately honour or repay Hanuman for the help and services. Sita, however, insists that Hanuman deserved honour more than anyone else and asks him to seek a gift. Upon Hanuman's request, Sita gives him a necklace of precious stones adorning her neck. When he receives it, Hanuman immediately tores it apart and peers into each stone. Taken aback, many of those present didn't know why he was destroying the precious gift. Hanuman answers that he was looking into the stones to make sure that Rama and Sita are in them, because if they were not present, the necklace is of no value to him. At this, a few mock Hanuman, saying his reverence and love for Rama and Sita could not possibly be as deep as he was portraying. In response, Hanuman tears his chest open and everyone is stunned to see Rama and Sita literally in his heart.

Dwara Balakas-Security guards of Vaikuntam

Jayan and Vijayan are the Dwarabalakas of Vaikuntam. They are Vishnu’s security guards. Once a group of sages visited Vaikuntam to meet Lord Vishnu. At the entrance the sages are blocked by Jayan and Vijayan. Angered by this act, the sages curse Jayan and Vijayan. Due to the curse they lose their honour and they are made to take birth in earth. They are given two options. They must take seven births as friends of Almighty or three births as enemies of God. Jayan and Vijayan were devoted to Vishnu and wanted to return back to Vaikuntam as soon as possible. So they agree to take birth as enemies of God so that they can return soon. They take birth as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakasipu and they are slain by Varaha and Narasimha avtars of Lord Vishnu. Then in Treta Yuga, they take birth as Ravanan and Kumbakarnan and Vishnu descends as Lord Ram to kill them. In the Dwarpa Yuga, they take birth as evil king’s Kamsa and Sisupala and Lord Krishna who is none other than Vishnu himself kills them to restore Dharma.