Vishnu(विष्णु): The Hindu God
Lord Vishnu, the Hindu God also known as Narayana and Hari. Lord Vishnu is one of Hinduism’s most important deities. He is the supreme being according to Vaishnavism, one of the main schools of modern Hinduism.
Within Trimurties ( Brahma(ब्रह्मा), Vishnu (विष्णु), And Mahesh( महेश:)) Lord Vishnu is the protector of the universe. Trimurti is the Hindu trinity of divinity. Vishnu regards as a part of the holy trinity (Trimurti) of Hinduism together with Brahma and Shiva(शिव). The Bronze Idol of Vishnu Varadaraja Perumal is the most revered deity in Vaishnavism, the greatest branch of Hinduism.
In fact, to emphasize Vishnu’s superior rank, other stories claim that Brahma was created from a lotus blossom that sprang from Vishnu’s navel. Vishnu is a multifaceted character who preserves the order of things (dharma). Protects men (Narayana), and, when necessary, manifests on earth in several incarnations or avatars to battle demons.
“One who pervades, one who has permeated into everything” is how the word “Vishnu” is translated. He, therefore, represents both the transcendent and the immanent realities of the cosmos. He is the underlying reason for everything’s existence.
Descriptions of Lord Vishnu:
He was generally regarded as being especially wise and kind compared to other Hindu gods and goddesses. He is portrayed as having four arms, blue skin, pricey jewelry, garlands, a draped skirt, and a huge crown.
On a bed composed of the coils of the thousand-hooded giant snake Adishesha, who has limitless dimensions, Vishnu rests in the milky seas of Vaikunth. His consort, the goddess Lakshmi, looks after him. The ocean represents joy and consciousness, the serpent represents time, diversity, desire, and illusion, and the goddess Lakshmi represents the physical world and the creative forces. Seated Vishnu Wood Carving is a statute of Lord Vishnu Seated On a wood carving.
Vishnu is represented by a cloud that is a deep blue color. It represents his cosmic proportions, his kinship with the Vedic gods of rain and thunder, and his connection to the ground. It is the color of the sky.
He is typically portrayed as having one face, and four arms, and is either standing or resting. On his left chest, he wears a necklace made of the renowned Kaustubha gem, while on his right chest, he is adorned with the Vaijayanti garland, which is formed of flowers and stones. Ranganatha Vishnu South Indian Wood Carving is a wood carving of Lord Vishnu in which Vishnu is seen exactly mentioned in the description. Sankha, a conch, chakra, gada, and the Padma, four different objects, are held in turn by each of his four arms in this statue and Brahma is sitting on the lotus that is coming from Vishnu’s navel. The conch represents the five elements: Salagrama, the goddess Lakshmi, the waters, purity, and perfection. It also symbolizes the sound of AUM. The discus is an awful weapon.
Sankha (शंख) (a conch), chakra (चक्र) (a disc), Gada (गदा)(a mace), and Padma (पद्मा) (a lotus) are each held in turn by his four arms. The five elements: the AUM sound, the Salagrama, the goddess Lakshmi, the waters, purity, and perfection are represented by the conch. Vishnu’s awful weapon of choice to combat evil and defend the just was the discus. It stands in for the sun’s brightness, which dispels and illuminates the darkness. Additionally, it represents a greater consciousness that dispels all illusions. The lotus represents beauty, harmony, purity, the water element, creativity, and self-realization, while the mace represents the strength of wisdom.
A minor god that is consistently present in all Vaishnava temples is Garutman or Garuda, the powerful bird vehicle of Lord Vishnu. Hanuman the monkey god is yet another figure that is consistently present in Vishnu temples, particularly in the South. The Ramayana portrays him as a very learned, sophisticated, and cultured individual. In addition to being strong and wise, he is also committed, which is a rare combination indeed.
Tales Of Lord Vishnu:
Vishnu has ten avatars, or outward manifestations, that can be either people, animals, or a combination of both. The ten forms of Vishnu are:
Matsya (the fish)
Kurma (the tortoise)
Varaha (the boar)
Nara-Simha (half lion and half-human)
Vamana
Lord Parashurama
Lord Rama
Lord Krishna
Kalki: This will be the 10th avatar of Lord Vishnu According To Hindu Mythology (who will appear when the world ends in Kalyuga, riding a white horse and heralding the start of a new Yuga).
Matsya: Matysa is the first avatar of lord Vishnu on earth. And according to science first living thing on earth comes from water.
There is a demon known as Hayagriva. The Sage Kashyapa and his wife Danu were his parents. While Hayagriva was the complete opposite of the sage Kashyapa, who was praised for being a blessing to humanity.
As the Danav Raj, the demon was selected (king of the demons). His only goal was to prevent anyone from surpassing the Danavs in strength. Hayagriva sought to elevate the Danav clan to the position of supremacy. He thus made numerous attempts to obstruct the advancement of the human class. He also made the decision to steal the four Vedas after discovering that Lord Vishnu had given them to Lord Brahma in order to prevent the sacred texts from reaching the mortals.
The Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda were successfully taken from Brahmaloka by Hayagriva. Lord Vishnu consequently manifested as a fish in order to save the Vedas from his grasp.
Kurma: The Daityas (Danavas) beat the Devas in one of the conflicts that took place after Daitya Guru Shukracharya was empowered with the Sanjeevani Mantra. The rise of goodness and peace was reversed by the Danavas’ victory.
Lord Vishnu was aware that if the Danavas attained immortality, they would defeat the Devas and severely harm humanity. Danvas will become immortal and then they will cause harm to Devas and Humans. The Danavas defeated the Devas in a battle, and Lord Vishnu decided to empower the latter. He wanted them to extract the divine nectar (Amrit) from the ocean. Mandara Mountain was cut from its base and installed in the sea as the churning rod. But, the base of the mountain couldn’t reach the seabed owing to the surging movement of the waves, so, Vishnu took the form of a Kurma and went deep inside the sea to carry the Mandara mountain on his back. Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a Kurma to protect humanity from the Danavas.
Varha: In a past life, Hiranyaksha, an Asura, served as the Dwarpala, or guardian, of Lord Vishnu’s home, Vaikuntha. He and his brother were cursed by the Sanat Kumaras for being denied the opportunity to encounter Shri Vishnu.
The two brothers, Vijay and Jay, were obstinate in their refusal to grant the four Kumaras entry despite their repeated requests. However, after being cursed, Vijaya and Jay pleaded with the Sanat Kumaras to be merciful, and they informed them that they would only achieve Moksha after being murdered by Lord Vishnu in their subsequent births.
As a result, they realized that it is important to use one’s powers responsibly. The fact that Vijaya and Jay were Lord Vishnu’s gatekeepers filled them with pride. Thus, they thought they had the authority to forbid anyone from entering Vaikuntha.
As a result, Hiranyaksha and Jay gave birth to Hiranyakashipu, and Vijaya was born. Deva Loka, Prithvi Loka, and Patal Loka were the three universes that the two brothers wreaked havoc in. Hiranyaksha became incredibly powerful and smug. He began abusing his authority and aspired to conquer the entire planet. He wreaked havoc, even stealing Mother Earth ( Vishnu, Sri, and Bhu Devi Bronze Set is a statue in which Lord Vishnu is shown with Bhuma devi or Molther Earth) and hiding her beneath the cosmos. Lord Vishnu therefore manifested as a Varaha to preserve the Earth (wild boar). After defeating Hiranyaksha, he raised the Earth with his tusks. Thus, Lord Vishnu demonstrated how evolution happened gradually by taking the form of a pig. Matsya, an aquatic creature, arrived first, then Tortoise, an amphibian, then Varaha, a land mammal.
Nara-Simha: Hiranyakashipu, a demon who was vanquished by Vishnu in a previous life as Varaha,hrinayaksha is the twin brother of the demon. obtained a blessing from the god Brahma that made it impossible for him to be killed by anyone or anything, inside or outside, by day or night, or with a weapon, and that he was immune to all forms of harm.
He felt safe as a result and started to bother heaven and earth. Contrarily, his son Prahlada was a follower of Vishnu, despite the fact that his father had threatened to kill him because of it. Hiranyakashyap attempted to murder his son Prahlad in a number of ways, but Lord Vishnu always intervened to save him.
Finally, he instructed Holika, his sister, to carry Prahlad into a raging fire. Because Holika had a blessing that allowed her to enter the flames unharmed, Hiranyakashyap was aware of this. Treasonously, Holika persuaded young Prahlad to take a seat on her lap as she took a seat next to a roaring fire. According to folklore, Holika was forced to pay with her life for her evil intent. Holika was unaware that the boon only functioned when she went into the flames by herself. Prahlad, who remained to recite the name of Lord Narayana throughout, was spared damage and was given a blessing by the Lord for his tremendous dedication. Thus, Holika is the source of Holi’s name. And it’s observed as a celebration honoring the triumph of good over evil. Holi is also celebrated as a devotee’s victory.
According to the legend, no matter how powerful they are, no one can hurt a devoted follower. And those who would harm a genuine follower of God would be burned to ashes.
When Prahlada challenged the demon one day, the demon kicked a stone pillar and said, “If your god is omnipresent, is he also in this pillar?” At dusk on the threshold, Vishnu appeared from the pillar in the shape of a lion-man.
In several depictions of the story, Narasimha is shown emerging through the pillar or engaged in tearing open the demon’s stomach, one of his many pairs of hands holding up the entrails like a garland. The hair has a curling mane, the teeth are pointed and curved, and the face has lion-like features. The body is human-looking, with a thick neck, broad shoulders, a slim waist, and slender arms and legs. There are also seated representations of Narasimha with a serene expression on the lion’s face.
Vamana: Danvas were winning the conflict between gods and Danvas over control of the world. A dwarf Brahman (or priest) by the name of Vamana, Vishnu was urged by the gods to stop his meditations to the enormous warrior Bali.
In exchange for an end to the conflict, Vishnu proposed that the Danvas take possession of the other portions of the universe and the gods settle for a small area bounded by three of Vamana’s steps.
Due to the dwarf’s little legs, Bali decided that this was a decent deal. The dwarf, who was actually a mighty god, cleared the sky with his first stride, the Earth with his second, and the Earth with his third. The wretched giants were left with nothing when he took his final step, the Underworld.
Because of this, Vishnu is referred to as Trivikrama, which means “of the three steps.” The three phases of the sun — rising, zenith, and setting — may also be represented by the narrative. , Vishnu was connected to the sun, as suggested by one of his other titles, Surya Narayana.
So these are some heroic tales of Lord Vishnu. Every time someone poses a threat to humanity’s existence, Lord Vishnu promised he will manifest. He had sworn to send an avatar to Earth.
Yada yada hi dharmasya glanirbhavati bharata |
Abhythanamadharmasya tadatmanam srijamyaham ||
Paritranaya sadhunang vinashay cha dushkritam |
Dharmasangsthapanarthay sambhabami yuge yuge ||
(“यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत।
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्।।”
“परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम्।
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे।।”)
This shloka means “I am coming, I am coming, when there is a loss of religion, then I am coming, when the iniquity increases, then I am coming to protect the gentlemen, to destroy the wicked I am coming in to establish religion and I am born in the age of era”. This is the Shloka Lord Vishnu chant before eradicating Adharma and restoring Dharma. Lord Vishnu is always shown protecting the earth or universe in Indian mythology as he is known as the Protector of the universe.
