Vishnu The Preserver The Protector The Savior By

Vishnu: The Preserver, The Protector, The Savior By Monisha Rallapalli

The Trinity Brahma: The Creator Vishnu: The Preserver Shiva: The Destroyer

Characteristics Gentle and benevolent nature Vehicle: Eagle, “Garuda” Guardian, protector, preserver of world and law of Vedas

Characteristics • Resting State: Narayana • Resides in heaven known as Vaikuntha Anantha-Sesha

Lakshmi Vishnu’s consort/Spouse Goddess of fortune and prosperity “balances his male intellect and spiritual sophistication with female physicality and passion” (Cummins et al. 79) Incarnated herself as consort to each of his reincarnations

10 Reincarnations (Avatars) of Vishnu: “Dashavatar”

Matsya Avatar Fish Purpose: Ø Save Vedas Ø Rescue pious/devoted man and creatures from immense flood to ensure survival of life on earth Resembles story of Noah’s Ark

Kurma Avatar Turtle Protects gods, preserves their divine power “Wealth eludes the insecure” (Pattanaik 59)

Varaha Avatar Boar Strength, speed, bravery Saves goddess of earth “Bhu Devi” from demon Hiranyaksh protecting earth No land for humans to build homes on otherwise

Narasimha Half man – half lion Purpose: Save pious devotees, protect world from demons Hiranyaksh’s brother vows to avenge brother’s death by killing all Vishnu devotees and Vishnu; ends up being killed by Narasimha Irony: Hiranyaksh’s brother’s son (Prahlad) is pious devotee of Vishnu

Vamana/Trivikrama Avatar Dwarf man King Bali exhibits arrogance Vamana reclaims earth, sky, heavens “Ignorance breeds insecurity and arrogance” (Pattanaik 91)

Parashurama Avatar Brahmin warrior with axe Believed to be immortal Purpose: end dominance of Kshatriyas (warrior caste) who were becoming unrighteous; protect earth from unrighteousness

Rama Avatar Kshatriya prince Prominent figure in Hinduism Ramayana by Valmiki Rama’s life story Famous Hindu epic Getting rid of demon Ravana with excessive pride and saving wife Sita from Ravana Purpose: Get rid of evil and pride, preserve righteousness Well worshipped in temples

Krishna Avatar One of the most prominent figures worshipped by Hindus Mahabharatha, Bhagavad Gita Dharma, Bhakti, Vishvarupa (Supreme form) Purpose: getting rid of evil and excessive pride (kills uncle Kamsa), preserve righteousness and faith in supreme power, “know the thought before the action” (Pattanaik, 157)

Buddha Avatar Non-Aryan prince, enlightened Originally named Siddhartha Gautama Became Buddha (‘Awakened’) after enlightenment (attaining Bodhi/wisdom) After Krishna’s death, Kali Yuga (last phase of cycle of existence) entered Everything will gradually disappear World will end in total destruction Buddha born in Kali Yuga Purpose: Preserve Hindu religion from demons Taught demons to devalue vedas and hindu teachings “As Buddha, Vishnu hastens end of world” (Cummins et al. 231) Not worshipped as much because of antivedic teachings

Kalki Avatar Final avatar Future, will come when Kali Yuga ends Believed that he will be trained by Parashurama (6 th avatar) Purpose: Annihilate world at end of Kali Yuga Restore righteousness, wipe out all evils Lead world into Satya Yuga (Age of Truth; religious principles are preserved and protected) Will return to Vaikuntha when completing final task

Religious History Vishnu’s prominence didn’t begin till post-vedic Hinduism (along with Shiva) First mentioned as minor deity in Rig Veda Rose to prominence over course of more than 500 years through spread by general populace to aristocracy and priestly orthodoxy Major deities before Vishnu’s prominence: Indra (god of lightning), Agni (God of fire), Vayu (god of wind) now minor deities Initial worshipping of Vishnu: took place around sacrifical fire without temple or image of him (typical Vedic manner) Earliest known representations of Vishnu: first centuries CE First Vishnu temples: 4 th century CE

Worship of Vishnupadas: sculptures/portrayals of Vishnu’s feet Rest of body depicted surrounding feet with attributes of Vishnu (lotus flowers, discus, conch shell, mace) Devotees, especially priests, apply U-shaped marks to forehead Known as “tilak” “believed to help focus mental energy, creating third eye that offers intuition or insight” (Cummins et al. 257) Ritual objects, shrines, sculptures, and paintings of/representing Vishnu are worshipped Worshipped in temples dedicated to Vishnu Still worshipped around sacrificial fire in ancient Vedic manner till this day

Worship of Vishnu