Lord Vishnu also known as Lord Narayana is the Supreme Being or the Ultimate reality. Vishnu is the all-pervading essence of all beings, the master the past, present and future, one who supports, sustains and governs the Universe. It is from him the entire universe originates. In the basic Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, Vishnu is the protector of the universe, where Brahma and Shiva are known as creators and destroyers. Vishnu is often represented as sleeping over a thousand headed serpent named "Adhi Sesha or Ananta Sesha" with His consort Goddess Lakshmi massaging His lotus feet. Lord Narayana and Adhisesha are inseparables. Even in Vishnu’s avtar of Ram and Krishna, Adhi-Sesha incarnates as Lakshman and Balarama respectively to serve the Almighty.
In the Puranas, Vishnu is described as being the color of clouds (dark-blue), four-armed, holding a lotus, mace, conch and a chakra. Vishnu is also described in the Bhagavad-Gita Gita as having a 'Universal Form' (Vishvarupa) which is beyond the ordinary limits of human sense perception. When Krishna reveals himself as Vishnu to Arjuna, in His viswaroopam all gods are seen in his radiance. Brahma, Vishnu,Shiva, Vinayagar, Hanumaan, Anjaneyar, Agni and other Devas and with Goddess Lakshmi in His chest. Krishna reveals that He is present everywhere and omnipresent. He keeps His consort in His chest, indicating to humans that they should care for their spouses. Even Vishnu is a family man. In His avtar as Ram, He is loyal to Seeta Devi. He followed the path of Dharma. He lived the way a man should live. Each of his avtars have got a message for mankind.
The four arms indicate his all-powerful and all-pervasive nature. The two arms in the front represent the physical existence of Vishnu while the two arms at the back represent his presence in the spiritual world. The blue color indicates his all-pervasive nature, blue being the color of the infinite sky as well as the infinite ocean on which he resides. Also on his chest is the srivatsa mark, symbolizing his consort Lakshmi. Around his neck, he wears the auspicious "Kaustubha" jewel and a garland of flowers (vanamaalaa). A crown adorns His head. The crown symbolizes his supreme authority. He is shown as wearing two earrings. They represent inherent opposites in creation - knowledge and ignorance; happiness and unhappiness pleasure and pain. "Those who bear His light loads in their life, serve Him the best". I am quoting this line from On His Blindness by John Milton. Those who face difficulties in life, without lamenting serve God. All humans should accept God, as the most Supreme Being be it any religion whether it’s Vishnu or Allah or Jesus and serve Him by chanting His names, than giving into materialistic pleasures and hence succumbing to evil.
Scenario: Kurushetra Battlefied. Krishna reveals His awesome cosmic form.
Symbols of Vishnu
1. A conch shell named "Panchajanya", held by the upper left hand, which represents creativity. The Panchajanya is the originator of the five elements or Panchabhoota - water, fire, air, earth and sky or space.
2. The chakra, a sharp-spinning discus-like weapon, named "Sudarshana", held by the upper right hand. The chakra as a weapon thus indicates the necessity of destroying one's ego and illusory self-existence and developing the vision to identify the eternal truth. The discus has six spokes and symbolizes a lotus with six petals, thus representing the power that controls all six seasons.
3. A mace or Gada, named "Kaumodaki", held by the lower left hand, which represents individual existence. The mace symbolizes the primeval force from which all mental and physical strength is derived.
4. A lotus flower or Padma, held by the lower right hand, which represents liberation or dispersion. The lotus symbolizes the power from which the universe emerges. It represents the concentration of truth or Satya, the originator of the rules of conduct or Dharma, and knowledge or Gyana in a single symbol.
Lord Vishnu as Balaji in Tirumala.
Next Chapter#2: Purpose of Avtars
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Vishnu-The Lord of the Universe-Chapter#1
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2 comments:
Arvind Raj here!!
I would like to have my doubt clarified...if Shiva is the destroyer, then how come it is Lord Vishnu who does most the work in the avatars. The purpose of Shiva's existence seems questionable.
I have had this doubt since childhood.
Tough question Arvind Raj. Lord Shiva has destroyed evil forces too, however it is not popular. Morever, we must view Krishna as all forms of God. It is He who shows His universal form to Arjuna in which all Gods are seen in His radiance. So whether it's Shiva or Vishnu both are different aspects of God. You can worship any God based on your interest. It is like reaching a destination by two routes. Religion is the route. Destination is The Almighty who is omnipresent. Any route(Religion) can be taken to reach salvation.
However, for materialistic existence three should be a creator, sustainer and destroyer.
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