In Search of Bhagwan | God of Creation, Maintainer, Destruction | Spirituality Rise Above The Sky |

LORD VENKATESHWARA- PRESERVER OF ALL

Venkateshwara (Venkatachalapathi of Venkateshwer) is another form of Lord Vishnu. He is also known as Balaji or Bithala. He has a dark complexion and four hands. In his two upper hands he holds a discus (a symbol of power) and a conch shell (a symbol of existence). With his lower hands extended downward he asks devotees to have faith and surrender to him for protection.

BUDDHA – THE LORD OF COMPASSION

To enlighten the world in Kaliyug, in which the true devotion to vedas was replaced by empty rituals, Lord Vishnu descended the earth as Buddha, the enlightened one. Buddha advocated the middle path, in which he offered a balanced, harmonious way of life, steering between two extremes of self-indulgence and total abstinence. Buddhism rests upon four Noble Truths – 1. Suffering is universal, 2. It is caused by desire and yearning, 3. Suffering can be prevented and overcome, and 4. Eradication of desires can lead to removal of suffering. To prevent suffering one has to conquer craving and desire and this conquest leads to the attainment of nirvana or complete enlightenment.

SHREE NARSHINGHA DEV – THE HALF LION-HALF MAN AVATAR

The special form was adopted by Lord Vishnu to kill a demoniac ruler Hiranyakashyap, who had pleased Lord Brahma with his religious offerings. Lord Brahma had given him the blessings that no known man or animal born in the natural process could kill him, that he could not die in the day or in the night, on earth or in heavens, either by fire, water or by any weapon. It was to kill such a tyrant and to remove him from the earth that Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Narasingh which was neither man nor animal, came out of a broken pillar, laid hold of the demon king by its teeth, put him up on his thighs and tore him up in the middle by his claws. It was evening time – neither day nor night.

SHREE VAMANA DEV – DWARF AVATAR

The fourth lineal descendant of Hiranyakashyap named Bali through his devotion and penance extended his authority over the three works. Once when the king was making a great religious offering, Lord Vishnu in the Dwarf Avatar of Vaman appeared before him. Bali was extremely pleased to see a holy man with such a diminutive form and promised to give him whatever he should ask. Vaman askedonly for as much land as he could measure by three steps. Bali laughingly agreed. Lord Vishnu as dwarf stepped over heaven in first stride and earth in the second stride. Then out of respect of Bali's kindness and his grandfather Prahlad's great virtues, Lord Vishnu stopped short and left him in pathal.

VARUN DEV – THE LORD OF SEAS

Varun Dev is a major Hindu god, concerned with the secure operation of the world's systems and of water. He is worshipped in southern India during ties of drought, particularly in the coastal regions where he is thought to reside in trees. He rides upon a fish or sea monster on in a chariot drawn by seven horses. His attributes are the conch, lotus, parasol, sacred thread, snake noose, trident and water jar of jewels. He is worshipped to seek blessings for success in Fishing, forgiveness for transgressions and Navigation of the seas.