Lord Vishnu is considered the preserver and protector of creation, in the Hindu Trinity of Gods – Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Mahavishnu is known as the peace loving deity with his strong principles of order, righteousness and truth. When these values are under threat, Lord Vishnu emerges out of this transcendence to restore peace and order on earth. Lord Vishnu is known by various other names such as Venkateswara, Narayana, Padmanabha, Maha Vishnu, Balaji, Perumal, Vasudeva, Jagannatha, and Govinda. The Hindu Goddess of Good Fortune, Goddess Lakshmi is the consort or Lord Vishnu. Several popular Hindu Gods, such as Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, Lord Narasimha, and Lord Parashurama are regarded as the incarnations of Mahavishnu.
Appearance of Lord Vishnu
Lord Vishnu is usually depicted in four hands. The four arms indicate His omnipresence and omnipotence. He holds a Sankha (conch shell) in the upper left hand indicating spread of the divine sound “Om”. He has on his upper right hand a ‘Chakra’ which reminds of the wheel of time and to lead a good life. He has a Gada (mace) in his hand indicating the power and punishing capacity of the Lord when discipline is ignored. On the other hand he holds a Padma (lotus) which is an example of glorious existence. Lord Vishnu also has a bow called Sarnga and a sword called Nandaka. His vehicle is Garuda which can spread Vedic knowledge with great courage. Maha Vishnu is often represents resting on the coiled serpent Shesha with the Lord’s consort Goddess Mahalakshmi massaging his feet. The dark color of the Lord represents the passive and formless ether, a great quality for a pervading god.
Lord Vishnu Mantra
The main mantra of Lord Vishnu is
"Om Namo Narayanaya"
"Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya"
Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram or the 1000 names of Lord Vishnu is the most widely chanted mantra associated with Mahavishnu. Hindu Devotional Blog has posted numerous mantras associated with Lord Vishnu. More Lord Vishnu Mantras and Stotras can be found here.
How Lord Vishnu is worshipped – Hindu Festivals
Lord Vishnu is celebrated through the festival of Holi across the world by people throwing colored powder and colored water at each other. Bonfires are lit on the eve of the festival also known as Holika Dahanor Choti Holi. After doing the Holika Dahan prayers are said and praise is offered.
Vaikunta Ekadasi is another celebration in Vaishnava tradition. It is considered to be the day on which the doors of Vaikuntha (heaven) will be kept open for all saintly souls.
In many parts of India, Diwali festival is celebrated as the marriage of Goddess Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. Another main celebration of Lord Vishnu is the ‘Tulsi Vivah’ where Lord Vishnu wakes up from his slumber and later marries Tulsi, who was churned out of the ocean of milk on Ashadha Shukla Ekadasi day. One of the Mahavishnu's Dasavatara – Lord Krishna is well worshipped during the Janmashtami festival.
Appearance of Lord Vishnu
Lord Vishnu is usually depicted in four hands. The four arms indicate His omnipresence and omnipotence. He holds a Sankha (conch shell) in the upper left hand indicating spread of the divine sound “Om”. He has on his upper right hand a ‘Chakra’ which reminds of the wheel of time and to lead a good life. He has a Gada (mace) in his hand indicating the power and punishing capacity of the Lord when discipline is ignored. On the other hand he holds a Padma (lotus) which is an example of glorious existence. Lord Vishnu also has a bow called Sarnga and a sword called Nandaka. His vehicle is Garuda which can spread Vedic knowledge with great courage. Maha Vishnu is often represents resting on the coiled serpent Shesha with the Lord’s consort Goddess Mahalakshmi massaging his feet. The dark color of the Lord represents the passive and formless ether, a great quality for a pervading god.
Lord Vishnu Mantra
The main mantra of Lord Vishnu is
"Om Namo Narayanaya"
"Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya"
Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram or the 1000 names of Lord Vishnu is the most widely chanted mantra associated with Mahavishnu. Hindu Devotional Blog has posted numerous mantras associated with Lord Vishnu. More Lord Vishnu Mantras and Stotras can be found here.
How Lord Vishnu is worshipped – Hindu Festivals
Lord Vishnu is celebrated through the festival of Holi across the world by people throwing colored powder and colored water at each other. Bonfires are lit on the eve of the festival also known as Holika Dahanor Choti Holi. After doing the Holika Dahan prayers are said and praise is offered.
Vaikunta Ekadasi is another celebration in Vaishnava tradition. It is considered to be the day on which the doors of Vaikuntha (heaven) will be kept open for all saintly souls.
In many parts of India, Diwali festival is celebrated as the marriage of Goddess Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. Another main celebration of Lord Vishnu is the ‘Tulsi Vivah’ where Lord Vishnu wakes up from his slumber and later marries Tulsi, who was churned out of the ocean of milk on Ashadha Shukla Ekadasi day. One of the Mahavishnu's Dasavatara – Lord Krishna is well worshipped during the Janmashtami festival.
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