Vishnu 'the pervader' also known as Narayana and Hari, is a Hindu god. One of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism, Vaishnavism, considers him the supreme being.
Vishnu is widely known as The Preserver due to his inclusion in the divine trinity, the Trimurti, alongside Brahma and Shiva. Within Vaishnavism, he is described as the supreme being responsible for the creation, protection, and transformation of the universe. Adi Shakti is worshipped as a Goddess in Shaktism with Vishnu seen as an equal counterpart to Shiva and Brahma. It is believed that Lakshmi holds a complementary role to Vishnu's power within this union. In Hinduism's Smarta tradition, Vishnu stands shoulder-to-shoulder with four other gods as part of Panchayatana puja.
Vaishnavism asserts that the highest form of Ishvara is an absolute Brahman with qualities, limitless and unchanging. It also presents Vishnu in benevolent aspects, showing him sleeping on coils of Adishesha - which signifies time - amidst the Ksheer Sagar (primeval ocean of milk) and his wife Lakshmi.
The Dashavatara are the ten primary avatars (incarnations) of Vishnu who descend in the form of an avatar (incarnation) whenever evil, chaos, and destructive forces threaten the world. Rama and Krishna are among the most important among these ten avatars (incarnations). The tenth part of the Padma Purana includes 108 names of Vishnu. These names include the ten primary avatars and descriptions of God's qualities and attributes.
According to the Garuda Purana and the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata, Vishnu has over 1000 names, each of which describes a quality, attribute, or aspect of God.
Other notable names in this list include :
Hari
Lakshmikanta
Jagannatha
Janardana
Govinda
Hrishikesh
Padmanabha
Mukunda
In Hindu texts and artwork, Vishnu is typically depicted with four arms, although there are also depictions with two arms. His skin is usually dark blue, blue-gray, or black. This spiral thus symbolizes all of the interconnected spiraling cyclic existence. In his right backhand, is a discus - Sudarshana known as the war discus - representing his capacity to restore cosmic equilibrium when overwhelmed by evil.
One of his arms sometimes carries a Gada - Kaumodaki - signifying authority and power of knowledge, and in another, he holds a lotus flower that symbolizes purity and transcendence. The variety of objects he holds in each hand results in a total of twenty-four iconographies, each depicting a unique form of Vishnu. These forms are referred to by such scriptures as the Agni Purana and Padma Purana. They are, however, not entirely consistent.
Sometimes Vishnu is seen with the bow Sharanga or sword Nandaka. He is commonly depicted wearing the Kaustubha necklace, Vaijayanti garland, and a curl of hair. Yellow garments are usually his clothing choice as well. A traditional depiction of Vishnu is that of him reclining on the coils of the serpent Shesha, accompanied by his consort Lakshmi.
The Vishnu Sahasranama is found in the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata and is one of the most popular and revered Stotras in Hinduism. Additionally, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana, and Garuda Purana all have versions of this Stotra containing the 1,000 names of Vishnu.
In Sanskrit, Sahasra means thousand. The meaning of Sahasra is situation dependent. n?ma means name. The compound is of the Bahuvrihi type and may be translated as having a thousand names. It is also pronounced sahasran?mam in South India.
The Vishnu Sahasranama is widely popular among Hindus and particularly treasured by devoted Vaishnavas, followers of Vishnu. While other divinities like Shiva and Devi are honored in their faith, Vaishnavas believe that the universe is ultimately a manifestation of the Supreme Lord Vishnu. When people refer to the Sahasranama it is usually credited to Vishnu alone - a testament to its popularity and widespread use.
Vishnu Sahasranama, as commented on by Advaitin Adi Shankara, includes references to Shiva with Shiva (names 27 and 600), Shambhu (38), Ishanah (64), and Rudra (114).
According to Adi Sankara's interpretation of Advaita Vedanta, Vishnu is not merely an entity but is Brahman itself. This view is supported by his remark that it is Hari Vishnu who has been praised under appellations such as Shiva.
The Vaishnavas believe in worshipping Vishnu in his four-armed form - conch, disc, flower, and mace - which they assert is the Supreme form.
The Smartha perspective on God is one without form, they take it to be Nirguna and not limited by time, shape, or color. Vaishnavas have a contrary point of view, believing that though Vishnu is without limit he can assume specific forms, claiming He could not do so would be limiting the limitless All-Powerful Being.
In Vaisnavism, some groups, such as Sri Sampradaya, adhere to and follow Rig Ved, which states that uttering the name of Vishnu at least once will lead to the realization of the supreme truth.
Vishnusahasranama, the thousand names of Vishnu, contains many references to the power of God to control karma. According to Sankara, the 135th name of Vishnu, Dharmadhyaksha, means, "One who sees the merits and demerits of people by giving them the rewards they deserve.
In addition to Bhavanah, the 32nd name of Vishnu, Vidhata, the 44th name, Apramattah, the 325th name, Sthanadah, the 387th name, and Srivibhavanah, the 609th name, all of these names refer to this nature. A Bhavanah, according to Sankara, means "One who produces the fruits of all Jivas karmas. According to the Brahma Sutra, Phalmatah upapatteh refers to the Lord's role as the bestower of the fruits of all Jivas' actions.
An ancient and medieval Hindu text, the Vishnu Purana is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
Its manuscripts have survived into the modern era in multiple versions. Vishnu Purana is an important Pancharatra text in the Vaishnavism literature corpus.
Om Jai Jagadish Hare, Swami Jai Jagadish Hare
Bhakt Jano Ke Sankat, Daas Jano Ke Avgun,
Kshan Mein Door Kare, Om Jai Jagadish Hare
Jo Dhyaave Phal Paave, Dukh Binse Mann Kaa,
Swami Dukh Bin Se Man Kaa,
Sukh Sampati Ghar Ave, Bansari wala Ghar Ave,
Kasht Mite Tan Kaa, Om Jai Jagadish Hare
Maat Pita Tum Mere, Sharan Gahoon Main Kiski,
Swami Sharan Gahoon Main Kiski,
Tum Bin Aur Na Dooja, Prabhu Bin Aur Na Dooja,
Aas Karoon Mein Jiski, Om Jai Jagadish Hare
Tum Pooran Paramatam, Tum Antaryami,
Swami Tum Antaryami,
Paar Brahm Parameshwar, Paar Brahm Parameshwar,
Tum Sabke Swami, Om Jai Jagadish Hare
Tum Karuna Ke Saagar, Tum Paalan Karta,
Swami Tum Raksha Karta,
Main Moorakh Khal kaami, Main Sevak Tum Swami,
Kripa Karo Bharta, Om Jai Jagadish Hare
Tum Ho Ek Agochar, Sabke Praanpati,
Swami Sabke Praanpati, Kis Vidhi Miloon Dayamay,
Kis Vidhi Miloon Dayamay,
Tum Ko Main Kumati, Om Jai Jagadish Hare
Deen Bandhu Dukh Harta, Thaakur Tum Mere,
Swaami Rakhshak Tum Mere,
Apne Haath Uthao, Apni Sharan Lagao,
Dwaar Padha Main Tere, Om Jai Jagadish Hare
Vishay Vikaar Mitaao, Paap Haro Deva,
Swami Kasht Haro Deva,
Shraddha Bhakti Badhao, Shraddha Prem Badhao,
Santan Ki Seva, Om Jai Jagadish Hare
Om Jai Jagadish Hare, Swami Jai Jagadish Hare,
Bhakt Jano Ke Sankat, Daas Jano Ke Avgun,
Kshan Mein Door Kare, Om Jai Jagadish Hare
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