THE APPEARANCE OF LORD VISHNU AND ITS SYMBOLISM

Who is Vishnu: History of Lord Vishnu

Lord Vishnu is one of the most important and revered deities of the Hindu pantheon. He is part of the holy divine trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh according to Hinduism, where Lord Brahma is the creator, Lord Shiva is depicted as the destroyer or transformer and Lord Vishnu is the preserver of the universe, the protector of all. field of existence. This Hindu triad signifies that all three divine powers are part of one. However, the Puranas also say that Lord Brahma came into existence from a lotus, which appeared from the navel of Lord Vishnu. So according to this legend, Lord Vishnu is the one who was responsible for Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe.

Also, read - Lord Panchmukhi Hanuman:

Symbolism and Significance

Lord Vishnu appeared in 10 different avatars in different eras to protect, protect and balance the Dharma. The 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu are in order of appearance - Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (boar), Narasimha (half man, half lion), Vamana (dwarf), Parashurama (Brahmin warrior), Rama (martyr) ) ) Purushottam/Siddha Purusha), Krishna, Buddha (discourse enlightened ones) and Kalki, who will come to end Kali Yuga. The Vaishnava sect considers Lord Krishna's elder brother Balarama to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who replaces Buddha from their list.

Lord Vishnu Symbolism

Whatever is on Lord Vishnu's body, the objects he holds in his hands are symbols that have deep meanings, and various interpretations that have been passed down through the centuries.

The Vishnu Conch - A conch shell or shankha (in Sanskrit) is a sea shell. The name of Vishnu conch is Panchajanya. Vishnu

Shankh or Panchajanya is said to symbolize the creative aspect of Lord Vishnu. When the conch shell is blown, a resonant sound emerges. The sound emanating from the conch shell is the sound of 'Om', the original sound generated at the time of creation. The conch shell of Lord Vishnu has also been described as the symbol of knowledge. The Vishnu conch rotates clockwise.

The Chakra - The disc-shaped chakra of Lord Vishnu is called Sudarshan or Sudarshan Chakra, which revolves continuously around the index finger of the hand. It was used by the Lord as a powerful weapon that could cut and destroy anything. Through all the plains that come in its way, it travels with unimaginable speed and chases the creature it is programmed to destroy and all this is done by the strong willpower or intention of Lord Vishnu. Once the chakra has done its job, it goes back to him. This is the element of fire. As described in the

Vishnu Purana, the famous Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Vishnu has 108 serrated blades and six spokes like a wheel. Sudarshan literally means 'su' meaning auspicious, and 'darshan' means sight, together it translates as 'one who has auspicious sight'.

The Gada (Mace) of Vishnu – The name of Lord Vishnu's mace is Kaumudiki or Kaumodaki. It is a symbol of physical and mental strength, it is a symbol of Adya Vidya or basic, or basic knowledge, discipline, and going from the rules and norms of nature and society. According to the Puranas and Krishna Upanishads, there are many other depictions such as Kaumodaki representing Goddess Lakshmi (wife of Lord Vishnu), which is said to represent Goddess Kali.

The Lotus - The beautiful lotus that Lord Vishnu holds in his hand is his favorite. His consort Goddess Lakshmi is also shown seated on a lotus. The lotus of Lord Vishnu is a symbol of purity, prosperity, and fertility. Just as the lotus petals blossom in all their beauty, it symbolizes the opening of our spiritual self, God helps us to awaken our consciousness, it is also a reminder that God is the source of our soul.

The Tilak - The 'U' shaped tilak on Lord Vishnu's forehead represents his lotus feet. It is known as Urdhva Pundra and is worn on the forehead and other parts of the body by the Vaishnava sect. It also has other forms, such as the version that has a third vertical line in the center of the urdhva pundara, which has different meanings and is worn by different sects/sampradayas of devotees of Lord Vishnu.

Earrings of Vishnu - The earrings that Lord Vishnu wears are symbolic of extreme opposites like good and bad, happiness and sorrow, pleasure and pain, etc.

WHERE IS VISHNU?

The merciful Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi are said to reside in the celestial city of Vaikuntha on Mount Meru. Vaikuntha is also known as Vaikuntha Sagar, Vaikuntha Lok, Nitya Vibhuti, Vishnu Lok, Thirupparampadam, and Paramam Padam. Various ancient Hindu texts describe the kingdom of Vaikuntha as a place with places of gold, studded with various gems, lotus flowers blooming abundantly in shining lakes, and everywhere filled with an intoxicating fragrance. are full. Along with it, there are exotic flowers. Lord Shiva is believed to have told Goddess Parvati that only devotees of Lord Vishnu are eligible for a place in Vaikuntha once their soul leaves the mortal body. It is no wonder that the devotees of Lord Vishnu get a place at his lotus feet in Vaikuntha after death.

Where was Vishnu Born?

Origin Of Lord Vishnu

It is believed that Vishnu, the divine God, existed before the creation of the universe, so he has always existed. As mentioned in the Vishnu Purana everything was destroyed by a great deluge or pralaya. Lord Vishnu was the only survivor and decided to start rebuilding the universe by continuing the cycle of creation, destruction, and recreation. To manifest this, he created Lord Brahma, who appeared from the lotus that emerged from the Lord's navel. Then Lord Vishnu created Lord Shiva from his head. He entrusted the task of creating the universe to Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva was given the task of destroying all forms of life as and when required from time to time. Along with himself, he assumed the role of protector and protector of all that exists in the universe. Therefore, when or where Lord Vishnu was born is unknown, as he was always and everywhere, in everything, even in nothingness. Vaishnavism believes in Lord Vishnu as the only Ishvara or Ishvara, who is infinite, unchanging, transcendental, and the original soul or spirit of the universe. He is the omnipresent God.

Vahan Of Vishnu

The vehicle or vehicle of Lord Vishnu, the great Garuda, is a giant-sized half-human, half-bird hybrid creature. The face of the bird resembles that of an eagle/vulture/falcon and is the king of the birds. Garuda means 'wings of speech'. He is said to have a golden body, red wings, and a white face. It is an enemy of snakes or serpents and eats snakes. Lord Vishnu, along with his consort Goddess Lakshmi, is mounted on Garuda for transportation. His size, Garuda travels with immense speed. Garuda has served Lord Vishnu and is also a symbol of the Lord. Empowered with courage and ferocity to spread the knowledge of the Vedas, Garuda is the assurance of fearlessness in times of adversity. Garuda is associated with the Sun and the element of fire. Some of Garuda's heroic exploits include his fight with the terrifying manyheaded Kaliya Nag (snake), who hid in the Kalindi River to save himself from Garuda's wrath. However, Kaliya later had to face Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, when the Lord chased the dangerous Naga. The Garuda Purana is read by Hindus as a part of the death rites. It includes many Hindu philosophies, including birth and death, good and evil, karma and rebirth, etc.

Why Sleeping On Snakes

The most common way to depict Lord Vishnu is Vishnu sleeping on a sarpa or serpent, with the many heads of celestial snakes spread like a canopy over the god's head. The name of the Vishnu serpent is Shesha or Shehnag and is also called Ananta Shesha, Ananta means infinite or infinite, which means infinite Shesha, which exists even when there is no creation. One of the many interpretations of this divine serpent also says that he is the base that holds the universe and all the planets, which is why Shesha is named Sankarshana, which means attractive force. Shesha is a devotee of Lord Vishnu who coils himself to form a bed for the Lord to rest in and is depicted with many heads. As described in the epic Mahabharata, he is the son of sage Kashyapa and Kadru. It is said that when Sheha opens herself, creation appears and time moves forward. When Ananta Shesha turns backward, it is believed that creation, the universe, ceases to exist. It is also believed that Ananta Shesha or Sankarsana is a form of Lord Vishnu / Lord

Narayana himself. Just as Garuda, the Lord's vehicle, is important, so is Shesha who has been with the Lord. The rest have come to earth in human incarnation as Lord Rama's brother Lakshmana and Lord Krishna's elder brother Balarama.

How to please Lord Vishnu at Home Daily:

How To Worship Lord Vishnu

Worshiping Lord Vishnu daily is very virtuous. Chanting his name, singing devotional songs or hymns of Lord Vishnu or his incarnations pleases him. Observing Ekadashi Vrat is another way to please the divine Lord, which is explained by Lord Krishna himself. If you do not fast on Ekadashi, then worship Lord Vishnu on that day and do not eat grains or beans on that day. Worshiping Shaligram, which represents Lord Vishnu, is very meritorious and is followed by Vaishnavas. The biggest way to please them is to keep pure feelings while invoking or praying to them.

For Daily Vishnu Puja:

 Get up early in the morning and take a bath and worship or worship Lord Vishnu. It is not proper to worship Lord Vishnu without taking a bath.

 Apply a tilak of yellow sandalwood paste or you can also apply it by mixing turmeric and sandalwood to get the desired color. It is best to wear yellow-colored clothes for the worship of Lord Vishnu.

 clean your altar.

 Use Gangajal (you can mix normal water with little Gangajal) and Panchamrit to bathe the idol of Lord Vishnu.

 Make offerings of fruits, flowers, especially yellow flowers, sandalwood paste, basil leaves, and saffron. The Lotus flower is the favorite of Lord Vishnu, which you can offer whenever possible.

 Now you can chant the Vishnu mantra ideally 108 times on Tulsi garland. You can also recite Vishnu Sahasranamam.

 Perform aarti with camphor, incense, and diya (oil lamp) by singing the "Om Jai Jagdish Hare" Vishnu Aarti song.

 Ask the Lord for his blessings and blow with pure intention.

Benefits Of Worshipping Lord Vishnu

 It helps in removing obstacles, struggles, and sorrows from life, making life flow smoothly and successfully.

 Worshiping Lord Vishnu bestows prosperity, growth, and success in professional life.

 Worshiping Lord Vishnu maintains happiness and peace in the family.

 Worship of Lord Vishnu helps in dissolving the bad karmas and paves the way for liberation/moksha after death.

 Lord Vishnu protects from all troubles and cures diseases.

 Worshiping Lord Vishnu brings happiness and peace all around in life. If you want to know more, you can talk to our Best Astrologers in India on Astroindusoot.