VISHNU

Vishnu, preserver of human life is one of the three gods of the Trimurti. He is a generous God and known as being ‘Sattvaguna’ (kind and merciful). Vishnu is the only God of the Trimurti who is reborn whenever there is a crisis on earth.

If ‘Dharma’ (righteousness) is disturbed, Vishnu descends to earth as an avatar (a human form) to fight the forces of evil.

The Puranas list the Dasavatars’, ten avatars, Vishnu took on to sustain the cosmos. Seen in order, they represent the evolution of mankind from the fish stage to ‘Purusha’ (man).

These avatars were Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (boar ), Nara-simha (man-lion), Vamana (dwarf), Parashurama (a powerful warrior), Rama, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki (white horse).

A romantic aspect of the myths, is that whenever Vishnu descends to earth he marries Lakshmi (his Goddess wife). They are destined to marry on earth as in heaven. When Vishnu is Rama, Lakshmi is born as Sita. As Krishna he marries her as Rukmini.

Matsya (Fish)

The story of the fish avatar, is Hindu, but the likeness to Noah is uncanny. A great flood threatened to submerge Manu (a patriarch who once ruled the earth). Manu asked a for a bowl of water which he needed for his religious rites. In the bowl was a fish who told Manu that if he looked after him, Manu would be saved from the flood. Manu agreed and took the fish to the ocean.

In the ocean the Matsya grew to whale-like proportions. Taught by Matysa how to build a ship Manu could sail during the flood.

While the deluge ripped the land apart and treacherous waves rose from the ocean, Manu was safe. Matsya was his tether who towed the ark to safety. When they reached the shores they found a dead and barren land ravaged by the storm .

Manu found the cargo contained the seeds for every form of life, from which he could sow the world. Vishnu as Matysa supported Brahma who renewed the world together.

After the deluge, many cosmic treasures sank deep into the ocean. The Asuras (demons) were in race against the Devas (minor gods) to churn the oceans for amrit (the nectar of immortality).

Vishnu appeared as Kurma (the tortoise) who sided with the Devas. Together, they decided they would create a churn for obtaining the amrit.

The serpent Vasuki was threaded around Mount Mandara to create a churn. Kurma dived to the floor of the ocean and balanced Mount Mandara on his back. In the grip of Kurma’s cosmic force, Mount Mandara could not sink into the ocean bed.

The Gods churned, and the nectar of immortality came to their hands. As they continued to churn, fourteen treasures appeared. For Kurma the most precious was Lakshmi, the Goddess of beauty and good fortune who would be his wife.

When the demon, Hiranyaksha dragged Bhoomi Devi (Mother Earth) underwater, Vishnu took the form of Varaha (a wild boar). After a fierce battle he overpowered the demon and lifted Bhoomi Devi from the waters. He pushed with his snout and the land puckered forming the Himalayan Mountains. He dragged more land from the sea and shaped the Indian subcontinent.

During the satayuga (first epoch) a tyrannical Daitya (demon) tormented the world. No god could overcome him and with each battle he won, the Daityas pride grew. Crazed by his invincibility he shot an arrow at a pillar to defy Vishnu. Vishnu burst out as Narasimha (man-lion) and tore Daitya to shreds.

Later Bali, the King of the Daityas had become ruler of the world. He had wisely worshipped Vishnu who had granted him a special boon. Protected by this boon Bali became a cause for celestial concern. When all the other Gods were overcome they pleaded to Vishnu for help.

Vishnu took the form of Vamana (a dwarf), and was born as the stunted child of Kasyapa and Aditi. He went as Vamana to a yagna (sacrifice) being performed by Bali.

Bali was offering sweets to all those present at the yagna.. Vamana held out his hands and said he was a poor peasant. He asked for as much land as he (Vamana) could cover in three steps. Bali took a look at the dwarf peasant and granted him this boon.

Vamana expanded to a cosmic size. His first step covered the earth, the second reached heaven. Vamana’s third step would have reached the lower world but Bali bowed before Vamana realising he had to be Vishnu. Pleased by Bali’s humility, Vishnu spared him and gave Bali a kingdom of his own in the netherworld.

In the Treta epoch, (the age of the sacred fires) the warrior class were becoming dominant. Their weaponry made them aggressive. They were subjugating ordinary people. The Gods wanted power to revert to the priests. Vishnu appeared as Parashurama, and took away the powers of the warriors returned it to the scholars.

As Rama, Vishnu came on earth to slay the demon Ravana. A legendary man, his compassionate nature and his belief in duty elevated him as ‘Maryada Purusha’, ideal man.

In his eighth Avatar, Vishnu was Krishna the greatest teacher whose words form a priceless Hindu scripture, ‘The Bhagwad Gita’ or the guide to life.

As the Buddha, Vishnu is a great religious teacher of India. He revealed the secrets of moksha and the path to Nirvana.

Vishnu’s final avatar will be as Kalki (white horse). At the end of the present age (Kal-Yuga) he will come back riding a white horse. Predictions say Kalki will brandishing a flaming sword and destroy last demons on earth.

In his cosmic form Vishnu is seen reclining on a many headed serpent called Ananta and the oceans lie subdued under him. He holds a chakra (discus) in a hand with which he maintains order in the universe. The shankha or conch was retrieved by him during the churning of the oceans, and its deep humming sound is an evocation of the sea. He holds a lotus for peace and a gada (mace) a controlling weapon. Garuda the eagle is his celestial vehicle.

As god and in each of his avatars Vishnu plays the role of the preserver making the earth a safe heaven for his believers.