How did Lord Vishnu play a role in the wedding of Kameshwara and Kāmeshwarī according to the scriptures?

🕉️ Om Kameshwaraya Namah 🕉️

🔱 The Kameshwara (Shiva) in his universal aspect and the Supreme Goddess, Lalita Tripura Sundari, known as Kameshwari, are depicted in both the Shakta and Tantric traditions as representing the union of pure consciousness and creative force. The texts of the Lalita Sahasranama and Brahmanda Purana give evidence for this cosmic event that was to restore harmony to the cosmos after the defeat of demon-like forces.

🔱 Vishnu’s role in this sacred marriage is quite significant within these traditions; he is often spoken of as providing support, arranging, and witnessing the sacred ceremony, which he does as the preserver of cosmic order (dharma). Vishnu creates balance between these two infinite and different forces of transcendence (Shiva) and active energy (Shakti) to ensure that their combined union becomes the basis for the sustainability of the cosmos.

🔱 Symbolically, Vishnu’s involvement provides evidence that the divine roles function cooperatively, not competitively. Creation, preservation, and transformation are witnessed as a single unified whole. So, the wedding itself is not merely mythological but rather the unity of all divine principles working together to achieve and support the stability of the cosmos.

What are the vyuha-avatars of Lord Vishnu?

 The Chaturvyuhas of Lord Vishnu are - Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha.

From Vasudeva, Sankarshana emerges. From Sankarshana, Pradyumna appears and from Pradyumna, originates Aniruddha

The illustrious Vasudeva is kshetrajna and possesses no qualities in his soul. When that illustrious one is born in any creature, he is known as the lord Samkarshana. Pradyumna is said to be generated from the mind and is born from Samkarshana. Aniruddha is generated from Pradyumna and is consciousness, or Maheshvara. Everything in the universe, mobile and immobile, is generated from him.

• 326, Moksha Dharma parva, Mahabharata.

Vasudeva

He is known as Vasudeva. He is the eternal paramatman. O Narada! Behold the greatness and power of that god. He is never touched by good and bad deeds. Sattva, rajas and tamas are said to be the qualities. These exist in all bodies and roam around there. Though these qualities are enjoyed, kshetrajna does not enjoy them. He is without qualities. He is free from the qualities. He is the creator of qualities. He is superior to the qualities.

There is nothing that is superior to the eternal Purusha. There is no creation in the universe, mobile or immobile, that is eternal. The only single exception is the eternal Purusha Vasudeva. The immensely powerful Vasudeva is in the atmans of all creatures.

• 326, Moksha Dharma parva, Mahabharata.

Sankarshana

That jivatman is also known as the lord Shesha or Samkarshana. Using his own deeds, the one who arises from this is known as Sanatkumara. When all creatures are destroyed, it is into him that they merge.

• 326, Moksha Dharma parva, Mahabharata.

Pradyumna

The mind of all creatures is known as Pradyumna. It is from him that the the doer and cause and effect arise.

• 326, Moksha Dharma parva, Mahabharata.

Aniruddha

Everything in the universe, mobile and immobile, is generated from Aniruddha. He is also known as Ishana and he manifests himself through all his deeds.

• 326, Moksha Dharma parva, Mahabharata.

By the fourth, the Aniruddha (for of) Narayana, all worlds have come to be. This (part of) Narayana created Prakriti (Matter) for making the worlds.

• Mudgala Upanishad of Rigveda.

Brahma is created by Aniruddha

Brahma, the one who is born from the lotus, results from Aniruddha. All mobile and immobile creatures are created by Brahma. Know that this repeatedly happens in several kalpas.

• 326, Moksha Dharma parva, Mahabharata.

Why is Lord Narasimha considered the most powerful avatar of Vishnu?

 Well if you see, all the incarnations of Lord Vishnu are considered as powerful. SriNarasimha is as strong as SriRama or SriParshurama or SriKrishna. Yes, you may say why Lord Narasimha is considered as the most fierce avatara of Lord Vishnu.

In terms of power, knowledge, beauty, charm, opulence, valor all the avataras are the same, but if you talk about Narasimha avatara, then it was taken for destroying the evil forces and protecting devotees, so moreover he is the protector form of Lord Vishnu. If we see other avatars, yes they were also taken for evil destruction, but Narasimhavatara was primarily taken for immediate protection of a devotee, which simultaneously required destruction of evil. Even when the devotees are scared, or for removal of any sorts of black magic or anything like that, we go in the refuge of Narasimha roopi Narayana because he is ugra only for the evil and is shaantamoorti for the good people.

Hence in a nutshell, there is no difference between any avataras of Vishnu and all are the same and equally powerful. So, it is not like any one avatara is considered as the most powerful. All the avataras are powerful. Yes, Narasimhavatara is considered as fiercest avatara of Vishnu for evil destruction but he too is fierce for the evil while he is calm for a devotee.

Hope this helps!
Jay SriRam!
ShriKrishnarpanamastu!

Isn’t sleeping with Vrinda by Vishnu an act of injustice?

Let’s see what veda say about Sriman Narayana:

Salutations again and again to the one with forms everywhere, the truthful one, the supreme Brahman, the highest Being, the one who is dark and yellow in hue, the one who is fully celibate, and the all seeing one whose form is the universe.

Sriman Narayana is considered to be SUPREME YOGI. He is considered to be eternally celibate.

Now people might ask, “How could he have children if he was eternally celibate?”. Always remember, Lord Brahma was born from the navel of Sri Hari without help of Mata Lakshmi. He had children in his avatar from his Yogic ability.

One thing should be clearly understood, to marry Sri Narayana or Mahadeva or Sri Rama or Sri Krsna is not a piece of cake. The person should undergo severe austerities and penance to get him as husband, so did Tulsi. Also it should be clear that Sriman Narayana marries no one except Mata Lakshmi :

Devi Puraana, Book 9, Chapter 24

O Honoured One! For a long time you performed tapasyâ in this Bhârata, to get Me. S’ankhachûda, too, performed tapasyâ for a long time to get you. By that tapas, S’ankhachûda got you as wife. Now it is highly incumbent to award you also with the fruit that you asked for. Therefore I have done this.

Now quit your this terestrial body and assume a Divine Body and marry Me. O Râme! Be like Laksmî. This body of yours will be known by the name of Gandakî, a very virtuous, pure and pellucid stream in this holy land of Bhârata. Your hairs will be turned into sacred trees and since they are born of Tulasi's hair they will be called Tulasi.

 Tulasi devi is considered to be portion of Mahalakshmi Devi herself according to Devi Bhagvat who got cursed and got married to Sankhachuda, who too did austerities to get her as wife:

“Then, on an auspicious day, on an auspicious moment, auspicious Yoga, auspicious Lagna, auspicious Amsa, and on auspicious combination of planetary rulers and their houses, she delivered on the full moon night of the month of Kârtik one beautiful daughter, the incarnation of Laksmî. The holy wise men named Her Tulasî.”

Please remember a thing, Sriman Narayan’s body is not material. It is completely spiritual. So we too should percieve his leelas through spiritual point of view!

OM NAMO NARAYANA!

 

What is Vaikuntha? Where is it? Is it some place or a spiritual realm?

 Vaikhunta is the abode of lord Vishnu. It is eternal and beyond the material realm.

Description of Vaikhunta

Once upon a time, they went to Vaikuntha, the region of Lord Visnu of pure Soul, Vaikuntha which is respected by all. All persons who dwell there have the form like Visnu. They propitiate Hari by the righteous path without any ulterior motive to accomplish. There dwells the venerable First Purusa who can be known only through word (i.e. Vedanta). He assumes pure Sattvic form. The foremost one showers his grace on us, his devotees, to make us happy. There is a park called the Final Beatitude which by its wish-yielding trees and by its beautiful blossoms of flowers etc throughout all seasons, shines like veritable Moksa (Final Liberation) itself.

Where (in the Vaikuntha region) devotees of Visnu along with their beautiful wives in the aerial cars, disregard the fragrant wind even though their minds are distracted by the fragrance of the blossoming, honey-dripping flowers of creepers in the spring near water and sing of the deeds of the Lord which purify the sins of the world. There the loud confusing cries of birds like pigeons, cuckoos, cranes, cakravaka, (the ruddy goose), catakas, swans, parrots, tittiris and peacocks stop for a while when the chief black-bee (in Visnu’s vanamala) hums loudly as if singing the story of Hari.

There when the fragrance of Tulasi is appreciated by Visnu by wearing (as an ornament) the garland of Tulasi, even flowering plants like the Mandara, the Kunda, the Kurava, the night-lotus, the Arna, the Punnaga, the Nagakesara, the Bakula, the lotus and the Parijata, in their goodness of heart, paid respects to the penance of Tulasi. It (the Vaikuntha) is crowded with aerial cars (made) of (jewels like) Vaidūrya (Lapis lazuli), emerald (and of) gold which can be seen only by those that bow to Hari’s feet. Here, damsels of big hips and beautifully smiling faces cannot, with their beguiling smiles and other allurements, excite passion in those devotees whose minds are fixed on Krsna.

The goddess of Wealth (Laksmi) of beautiful form, for whose favour others are striving, stays (permanently) in Hari’s residence giving up her noxious quality (of fickleness). With her lotuslike feet jingling with anklets and arms freely dangling with a lotus in hand in a sportive manner, she (i.e. her reflection) in the crystal walls chased with gold, appears as if dusting (the house with lotus). Oh gods, where (in Vaikuntha), in her own garden, the goddess Laksmi attended upon by her maid-servants, was worshipping the Lord with Tulasi petals, saw her face with beautiful locks of hair and prominent nose reflected in the ponds of pure nectarlike waters and with sloping bank (ghats) of corals, felt that it was kissed by her Supreme Lord.

To which (Vaikuntha) do not reach those who listen to the mind-spoiling evil stories pertaining to topics other than the deeds of creation etc. of Hari, the destroyer of sins. Alas! These stories (on subjects concerning Artha and Kāma) when heard by unfortunate people, deprive (the hearers) of all good merits and throw them in dark hells from which there is no relief. Birth in the human species is aspired after even by us (as) it is possible to gain the knowledge (i.e. realization of Brahman or the Truth along with the performance of Dharma, in it. Those who (having thus got birth as a man) do not propitiate the venerable Lord, are alas, deluded by your May of very wide expanse. There (to Vaikuntha, above our region) go these (men) who by the service of the greatest among gods, have kept off Yama, the god of death, (or who are above the discipline of Yama, Niyama etc.) and who being of enviable character are (spiritually) above us.

While mutually discussing about the supremely glorious Lord, their mind, being overwhelmed with intense love and devotion, the hair stand on end on their bodies and tears flow from their eyes. The sages were greatly overjoyed when, by their power of eightfold Yoga, they reached Vaikuntha which they had not seen before, and which, being presided over by the Lord of the universe, was adorable to all the worlds, and which was shining with the lustre of various heavenly cars of great gods.

• Chapter 15, 3rd Skandha, Srimad Bhagavatam.

Why are devotees of Vishnu particularly interested in Goddess Vaishnavi, and how is she related to Vishnu's energy?

 Goddess Vaishnavi is not only related to Lord Vishnu's energy…

SHE IS LORD VISHNU’S ENERGY.

In fact, She’s nothing but Lord Vishnu Himself.

In the Devi Bhagavatam, Lord Narayana tells Narada Muni that they are just the same one Divinity in two forms:

“The Paramātmā by His Yoga (i.e., Māyā Śakti, the Holy Ghost) divided Himself into two parts; the right side of which was male and the left side was the female Prakṛti.” - Devi Bhagavatam 9.1.10

“The Lord, who is All Will, willed and divided Himself into two parts, His Left part becoming female and His Right part becoming male. Then that Eternal One, Who is greatly loving, looked at the female, His left part, the Sole Receptacle to hold all the contents of love, very lovely to the eyes, and looking like the beautiful lotus. The loins of this woman defy the Moon; Her thighs put the plaintain trees quite in the background; Her breasts are mistaken for the beautiful Bel fruits; flowers are scattered as Her Hairs on the head; Her middle part is very slender, very beautiful to behold! Exceedingly lovely; appearance very calm; sweet smile reigning in Her lips; side long glances with Her; Her clothing is purified with fire; all over Her body decorated with gems. Her eyes, also, like the Chakora bird (Greek partridge) began to drink incessantly with joy the moon beams from the face of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, defying, as it were, the ten millions of moons.” - Devi Bhagvatam 9.2.27–34

True Vaishnavas are interested in Her to attain the Lord.

Sri and Madhva Vaishnavas devote themselves to Goddess Lakshmi to obtain Lord Narayana.

Ramanandi Vaishnavas devote themselves to Goddess Sita to obtain Lord Rama.

Krishnavite Vaishnavas devote themselves to Goddess Radha to obtain Lord Krishna.

In a metaphysical sense, the Goddess represents prakriti - material nature.

Vaishnavas use prakriti to learn and transcend - like a ladder.

In the Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Krishna describes an ascetic who used material nature to learn about reality to Uddhava:

pṛthivī vāyur ākāśam
āpo ’gniś candramā raviḥ
kapoto ’jagaraḥ sindhuḥ
pataṅgo madhukṛd gajaḥ

madhu-hā hariṇo mīnaḥ
piṅgalā kuraro ’rbhakaḥ
kumārī śara-kṛt sarpa
ūrṇanābhiḥ supeśakṛt

ete me guravo rājan
catur-viṁśatir āśritāḥ
śikṣā vṛttibhir eteṣām
anvaśikṣam ihātmanaḥ

Translation:

“O King, I have taken shelter of twenty-four gurus, who are the following: the earth, air, sky, water, fire, moon, sun, pigeon and python; the sea, moth, honeybee, elephant and honey thief; the deer, the fish, the prostitute Piṅgalā, the kurara bird and the child; and the young girl, arrow maker, serpent, spider and wasp. My dear King, by studying their activities I have learned the science of the self.” - Srimad Bhagavatam 11.7.33-35

Goddess Vaishnavi is the Supreme Divine Mother, the Guide, the Guru, and the most merciful for Vaishnavas.

Why is Lord Narasimha considered the most powerful avatar of Vishnu?

Don’t treat Lord Vishnu avatars like Marvel cinematic universe characters. All Vishnu avatars are powerful in their own way, including Vaman Avatar.

A dwarf measures the whole universe in two steps, isn’t it powerful?

Rama leaves luxurious life and goes to forest for 14 years, if this is not powerful then what it is?

Krishna influenced the outcome of Mahabharata war without lifting a weapon, is it not the power at its peak?

Each avatar of Bagwaan Vishnu, including Narashima avatar, was powerful.

When will the Kalki avatar of Lord Vishnu take place? What importance will Sambhal town have in this avatar?

 This is one of the major misconceptions by common Hindus and language of Puranas pushes the simple minds to such beliefs. In fact, the word Kalki is not a noun — that is, not the name of a person — but a prepositional phrase. It originates from Kali-ki, meaning “for Kali.” The word itself conveys hope — that there will be an avatar for Kali, or for the darker times.

With that understanding, the Kalki Avatar is not necessarily an event that will occur as an end-time prophecy in the lifetime of this planet earth, as many assume. Buddha could be considered a Kali-ki avatar, since he was indeed born during the Kali Yuga, he was divine and carried sword of wisdom, riding on the vehicle(path) of righteousness.

Moreover, the concept of Yuga itself is quite complex, and leads to another major misconception in Hinduism.

We are no more in Kali Yuga on the time line of earthly humans. We are actually in dvapara Yuga. (and may be in Kali Yuga in galactic time line.) So stop believing end time prophecy and start living in current reality.

Vishnu has 4 arms and holds 4 objects. What are those objects?

 The four objects in the 4 arms of Vishnu are Shankha, Chakra, Gada, Padma or in simplified English equivalents they are Conch, Discus, Mace and lotus.

Now, which arm of Vishnu holds which object? That is an interesting question. The Dwaita philosopher Madhvacharya lists out 24 ways ( i.e. 4X3X2X1) of holding these objects in 4 arms, in his Tantrasara Sangraha. Accordingly, each form (Roopa) holding the objects in a specific way is given a name and worshiped for a specific purpose. These 24 forms (Roopa) are

1. Keshava : Shankha, Chakra, Gada, Padma (clockwise starting from the top right hand)
2. NarayaNa: Padma, Gada, Chakra, Shankha
3. Madhava: Chakra, Shankha, Padma, Gada
4. Govinda: Gada, Padma, Shankha, Chakra
5. VishNu: Padma, Shankha, Chakra, Gada
6. Madhusoodhana: Shankha, Padma, Gada, Chakra
7. Trivikrama: Gada, Chakra, Shankha, Padma
8. Vaamana: CHakra, Gada, Padma, Shankha
9. Shreedhara: Chakra, Gada, Shankha, Padma
10. Hrsheekesha: Chakra, Padma, Shankha, Gada
11. Padmanaabha: Padma, Chakra, Gada, Shankha
12. DaamodaraL Shankha, Gada, Chakra, Padma
13. SankarShaNa: Shankha, Padma, Chakra, Gada
14. Vaasudeva: Shankha, Chakra, Padma, Gada
15. Pradyumna: Shankha, Gada, Padma, Chakra
16. Aniruddha: Gada, Shankha, Padma, Chakra
17. PuruShottama: Padma, Shankha, Gada, Chakra
18. AdhokShaja: Gada, Shankha, Chakra, Padma
19. Narasimha: Padma, Gada, Shankha, Chakra
20. Achyuta: Padma, Chakra, Shankha, Gada
21. Janaardhana: Chakra, Shankha, Gada, Padma
22. Upendra: Gada, Chakra, Padma, Shankha
23. Hari: Chakra, Padma, Gada, Shankha
24. KrShNa: Gada, Padma, Chakra, Shankha

Following image shows the 24 ways in which Udupi Krishna - the Krishna installed by Madhvacharya at Udupi - is decorated to illustrate the 24 forms of Vishnu as explained above.

THE DASAVATARA VISHNU TEMPLE,DEOGARH(GUPTA PERIOD)

The Dasavatara temple is one of the architectural marvels of the Golen Age of India.

It was built around 500 CE during the Gupta period and as its name suggests,it is a Vishnu temple.

Yet the Dasavatara temple mainly depicts scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharat and not necessarily all the 10 avatars of Vishnu.All those scenes are based on the VISHNUDHARMOTTRA PURANA.

It is present at the border of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh at a place called Deogarh.

Some sculptures from this temple..

Vishnu sleeping on shesha

Vishnu sitting on sheshanaga

From left to right(topmost)-Kartikeya,Indra,Brahma,Shiva,Parvati,Nandi

From Ramayana-Ram,Sita,Lakshman and Surpanakha

From Mahabharata(left to right)-Arjuna,Bhima,Yudhisthira,Nakula,Sahadeva and Draupadi

Nara-Narayana(avatars of Vishnu)..

Why is Hayagriva, the horse-faced avatar of Vishnu, not on the list of the 10 avatars of Vishnu?

 

• Yes you are right, you don't find the Hayagriva avatar in the list of ten avatars of Lord Vishnu
• Some authors include ten of their choice and ignore the rest. Earlier incarnations like Mohini, Hayagriva, dattatreya, kapila etc don't find a place in their top 10. The concept of “Dasavatara” are always author's choice.
• Medieval times Saint or Guru Sri Vaadiraja has given high priority to Hayagriva avatar, the horse faced God. Horse faced lord is a symbol of primitive knowledge of Vedas. Vishnu has passed on the knowledge of Vedas to lord Brahma, through his horse face and also killed many demons in that avatar. There is no other reason than pure personal choice, that many authors have not included Hayagriva

• Pic : Lord Hayagriva teaching Vedas to brahma.
• Source: Google sources
• Importance given to Hayagriva
• Sri Vadiraja, of 1480-1600 AD, has given full importance to Hayagriva. He worshipped Hayagriva for his lifetime as his prime diety. He used to worship lord Hayagriva and offer naivedya or bhog to him. The lord Hayagriva used to accept naivedya in form of DIVINE HORSE. As the bhog or naivedya is to be offered with out looking at God's form, Vadiraja used to offer, keeping the platter on his head. The God used to take naivedya in horse form, resting it's feet on shoulders of Vadiraja. Watch the picture for Vaadiraja and hayagriva in the following.

• Vadiraja wrote Hayagriva sampadaa stotram for devotees benefit of wealth creation. Many people have benefited by the chanting daily, 108 times
• Sri Vadiraja, in fact dedicated all his writings to lord Hayagriva
• It is really surprising to see that only a few saints have taken Hayagriva as prime diety. Several saints in South India of medieval era, had worshipped Hayagriva and acquired eternal bliss.
• Sri Vadiraja in his dasavatara stuti, has praised the avatars or incarnations of Mohini, Hayagriva, Dhanwantari, Buddha etc. He praised 14 avatars or incarnations.
• Some authors include Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Krishna. Bhakta jayadeva did so.
• Narayana Kavachan from Maha Bhagavatam (7th skandha) include hailing Kapila, dattatreya, balarama, dhanwantari, buddha etc
• Hail the glory of Lord hayagriva and stay blessed.
• The most famous recital of Sri Raghavendra swamy stotram also has a special reference to lord Hayagriva. The lord “Haya” gives his consent to the greatness of his holiness Sri Raghavendra. It states lord Hayagriva will be the witness to derive and pass on the benefits of the stotram. Sri Raghavendra Swamy confirms saying that saakshi hayaasyotrahi.
• Similarly, On Hayagriva sampadaa stotram, శ్రీ Vadiraja confirms at the end of 4th sloka that Sri hayagriva will remain witness to the results of the stotra.
• Similarly, for Yantroddharaka Hanumath stotram, Sri Vyasaraja affirms that Sri Hayagriva will stand out as the evidence for granting the results of the stotram.
• Lord Hayagriva stands out as the prime evidence on behalf of the devotees, to confirm the results and pass on the divine benefits to the devotees. Our job is very simple. Just Hail and recite the stotram, the rest, He, the Hayagriva will take care.
• Worship Hayagriva and have a great time