Vishnu Ji is the preserver of creation. Whenever anyone dares to disturb the rules of conduct, He incarnates himself to remove those devils. He is also the only god among the trinity who never grants any boon to devils. As against this, Brahma Ji as well as Shiv Ji have been liberal on this count of granting boons to devils who worship them and subsequently become very powerful and have ultimately to be annihilated by Vishnu Ji in his several incarnations.
ORIGIN
Vishnu Ji is eternal and the supreme power. Actually formless (nirgun), he acquires forms with different attributes which make it convenient for humans to comprehend him.
The name Vishnu Ji is derived from the word vish, which spread in all directions, indicative of Vishnu Ji’s omnipresence.
ABODE
Omnipresent, but his favourite place is Vaikunth (heaven) identified with fabled Ksheer Sagar. It is an ultimate Abode, which humans aspire to reach, through good deeds.
IMPRTANCE
As the supreme eternal God, who protects, the absolute universal soul Parmatma, he protects his devotees and ensures good moral orders in the universe.
He is infinitely powerful (Omnipotent)
Present everywhere (Omnipresent) and
Infinitely knowledgeable (Omniscient).
The entire universe is a revelation of him, from whom evolve all forms of life as well as everything material. He is regarded as highly charitable and rewarding to his devotees, resulting in his high popularity and acceptance as the most powerful god in this increasingly materialistic world.
His protecting powers have been demonstrated in several forms/incarnations – avatars, to destoy evil and bring good order on earth. Commonly understood and accepted as ten incarnations, these are described in some detail in a separate chapter in this book.
SOME OTHER NAMES/EPITHETS
1. Bala Ji
2. Chaturbhuj
3. Hari
4. Janardan
5. Narain
6. Padmanabh
7. Ranganath
8. Satya Narain
9. Venkateshwar
10. Vardaraj
11. Vaikunthnath
TYPICAL DEPICTION
1. Resting on the coiled serpent deity Sheshnag’, on the ocean surface, holding in his four hands
· Conch (Shankh called Panchjanya)
· Discus (Sudarshan Chakra)
· Lotus (Kamal flower, Padma)
or arrows, quiver and bow ( named Saranga) alongwith Lakshmi Ji, his wife seated alongside, gently pressing his feet to impart feeling of comfort. Usually also shown, is a lotus flower emanating from Vishnu Ji’s navel, with Brahma Ji seated on it.
2. Vishnu Ji, standing on water waver, accompanied by wife Lakshmi ji, and holding in his hands, items as enumerated earlier.
3. Sitting together with Laksmi Ji, on the divine eagle Garud, again holding the same four items in his hands.
Vishnu JI is generally depicted as blue-skinned, wearing regal ornaments and yellow garments,
Like in case of Vishnu Ji, most Hindu gods are shown with several arms, symbolizing their manifold powers. It is also worthwhile to note that Lakshmi Ji, like wife of any other god is always shown on Vishnu Ji’s left side.
SOME TEMPLES
· Venkateshwara Bala ji (Thirumala Thirupati, A.P.)
· Padmanabh Temple (Thiruvananthapuram, kerala)
· Ranganath of Srirangam (Thiruchirapali, TN)
· Vaikunthnath Hari Ram Temple (Chamba, HP)
· Varadaraj (Kanchipuram TN)
· Badrinath Temple (Badrinath, Uttaranchal)
RELATED FESTIVALS CEREMONIES
· Satya narain I Ki katha
· Ram Navmi, Janam Ashtmi etc. which signify the birth of his incarnations.
SOME INTERSTING INFORMATION
· Worhippers of Vishnu Ji (exclusively), are called Vaishnavs, origination in TN around 1500 AD.
· 6 of the 18 Puranas are addressed to Vishnu Ji.
· On Vishnu Ji’s advice, gods and demons undertook churning of the ocean, Samudra Manthan. From this process of ocean churning, came out 14 precious gems etc. Out of these four items for himself, the bow (Saranga), the mace (gada) and the jewel Kaustabha. Laksmi Ji who also emerged from this process, was a gift to Vishnu Ji as his wife.
· Vishnu Ji also appeared as Mohini, celestial dancer, during samudra manthan, to lure away demons from pertain nectar- amrit
No comments:
Post a Comment