Transcript vishnu presentation

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:


Save Vedas

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 (6th 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: 4th century CE
Worship of Vishnu
 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