Questions tagged [vishnu]

For questions on the god of preservation, among the Trimurti. Also called Narayana. The Supreme God or Brahman in Vaishnavism. In case of questions exclusively on his avataras, the respective tag is preferable like Rama, Krishna.

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Why even Lord Vishnu put Tilak (Gopi-Chandan) on his forehead?

As a pure Vaishnav Devotee, we are putting a tilak on our head, But why lord himself putting Tilak on his forehead.? Is there any logic behind? any scriptures mentioned this logic?please share your ...
Shree Krishna's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
231 views

Mahavishnu's Avataaras

Apart from the well known Dashavatra, Mahavishnu has taken many incarnations. Two readily come to the mind as Hari for liberation of Gajendra and Hu Hu and as Kapila Muni giving knowledge to His ...
Suresh Ramaswamy's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
212 views

What does the word "birth" means in Brahma's seventh birth.?

Vaishampayana while narrating Hayagriva story, details how Brahma worshipped Narayana. The Mahabharata, Book 12.: Santi Parva.: Section CCCXLVIII.: In that Brahma says as follows.: As regards myself, ...
Kanthri's user avatar
  • 3,267
4 votes
0 answers
516 views

Where is the story of Upilliappan in the Brahmanda Purana?

Most people only know about the Venkateshwara form of Vishnu (AKA Balaji or Srinivasa) in connection to the deity of the world-renowned Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple in Tirupati. But that is not the ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
1k views

What is the story of Vishnu's incarnation Dharma who "propagated Yagna"?

As I discuss in my question here, the Matsya Purana describes various incarnations that Vishnu has taken in the Vaivasvata Manvantara (i.e. the present Manvantara). In particular, here is what it ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
602 views

Did Valmiki address Rama as the the supreme being when he spoke to him personally in the Uttara Kanda?

Logically he should have because he has already narrated how Brahma and others called Rama as Vishnu and Narayana and the supreme being at the end of the war.
S K's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
167 views

How Vishnu created these rituals?

In this chapter of Brahmanda Purana says:- 24-29a. It was the lord who created all types of sacrifices and the necessary adjuncts thereof. He duly created the sacred fires of Gārhapatya and Āhavanīya ...
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32 votes
5 answers
30k views

Who is Govindaraja and how is he related to Venkateshwara?

Tirupati is most commonly associated with the world-renowned Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple. But there is another Vishnu temple in Tirupati, the Govindaraja Swami Temple. (This isn't the only ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
24 votes
4 answers
3k views

Why do Gods take avatar?

In the Ramayana, Shri Ram was an avatar of Vishnu; in the Gita or Mahabharata, Shri Krishna was an avatar of Vishnu. Everything they did in human form, they were perfectly able to do it in their ...
DroidDev's user avatar
  • 354
22 votes
6 answers
19k views

Why do Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva always meditate on each other?

I watched a TV serial named "Devo ke Dev Mahadev" on channel "Life Ok". In that, they mentioned several stories of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu always meditating upon each other and connected to each ...
Anurag's user avatar
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19 votes
1 answer
1k views

What form did Vishnu take in the Battle of Ten Kings?

According to the Rig Veda Anukramani, the seer of Mandala 7 of the Rig Veda is the sage Vashishta, and in the following verse from Mandala 7, Vasishta addresses Vishnu: What was there to be blamed ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
18 votes
1 answer
3k views

What is the story of Vamana's wife Kirti and son Brihatshloka?

In the Srimad Bhagavatam, there's a description of the spouses and descendants of the Adityas, a group of 12 gods who are the sons of Aditi and the sage Kashyapa. The Adityas include Surya, Indra, ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
18 votes
3 answers
17k views

Why didn't Lord Vishnu drink the poison that came out from the churning of ocean?

As I was looking at this question, I got another question in my mind that why didn't Lord Vishnu drink the poison that came out from the churning of ocean? Lord Vishnu is also powerful to consume the ...
Nishant Solanki's user avatar
17 votes
3 answers
1k views

What does it mean to say that Vishnu worships those who worship him?

In this chapter of the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata, Shiva extols the great qualities of Vishnu. In particular, he says this: The illustrious Hari, the puissant Narayana, is verily, the ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
15 votes
1 answer
6k views

What is the story of Vishnu's incarnation Hari, who rescued the elephant Gajendra?

One of the most famous stories of Vishnu is the Gajendra Moksham episode, described the Eighth Skanda of the Srimad Bhagavatam. For those who don't know, once a king named Indradyumna, who was a ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
15 votes
1 answer
4k views

When was Mahabali (Asura King Bali) booned about being the next Indra?

I read in a question about the fact that the Asura King Bali will be the next Indra and that he is still alive. Untill now, I have only heard of the story of the Vamana incarnation of Lord Vishnu ...
Aby's user avatar
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15 votes
3 answers
2k views

Why did Sri Krishna say he was VAJRA among weapons?

While giving discourse to Arjuna, Sri Krishna says that he was VAJRA among weapons. आयुधानामहं वज्रं धेनूनामस्मि कामधुक्। प्रजनश्चास्मि कन्दर्पः सर्पाणामस्मि वासुकिः।।10.28।। Of the ...
Srimannarayana K V's user avatar
15 votes
1 answer
3k views

Why did Goddess Lakshmi choose Lord Vishnu as her consort?

Lakshmi is also called Sri. Lakshmi personifies wealth, riches, beauty, happiness, grace, charm and splendour. She was born from the churning of the primordial ocean (Samudra manthan) and she chose ...
SwiftPushkar's user avatar
  • 32.1k
13 votes
6 answers
6k views

Adi Buddha and Gautama buddha, Which one is the real avatar of Lord vishnu?

Many sites claim that there were Two buddhas and both were different. It is said that Adi buddha was the real avatar of lord vishnu. Gautama buddha was only a enlightened one but not an avatar of ...
Sakthi's user avatar
  • 4,168
13 votes
1 answer
2k views

What is the significance of the weapons and other items held by the Lord Vishnu?

Lord Vishnu holds a Disc (Chakra), Conch (Sankha), Komidi Gadha, and also holds other elements like a lotus in his hand. Is there any explanation in scriptures of why Lord Vishnu holds these ...
Shree Krishna's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
1k views

What is the mystery of Hari Sankara Stotra composed by Adi Shankara?

Shankara Digvijaya states that when Adi Shankara reached temple of Hari Shankara then he composed such verses with ambiguous meaning which could praise for both Shiva and Vishnu at the same time. It ...
Tezz's user avatar
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13 votes
2 answers
3k views

When did Krishna first meet Vishnu's bird Garuda?

The Srimad Bhagavatam describes how Krishna flew on the back of Garuda to kill the demon Narakasura, which is the inspiration for the holiday Deepavali: After Bhauma [Narakasura] had stolen the ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
12 votes
3 answers
6k views

What Tilak or Namam does Lord Brahma have on His forehead?

Tripundra or "three horizontals lines" is the Tilak worn by Lord Shiva and His devotees. Urdhva Pundra is tilak worn by Lord Vishnu and His devotees. But there are images of Brahma with both tilaks. ...
The Destroyer's user avatar
  • 31.4k
11 votes
1 answer
6k views

Why did Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra incarnate as Parashurama's enemy Kartavirya Arjuna?

Most people only know about Kartavirya Arjuna as the thousand-armed king who was the villain of the story of Vishnu's incarnation Parashurama. Kartavirya Arjuna stole the divine cow Kamadhenu from ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
11 votes
1 answer
3k views

What is the story of Kalanemi who was reborn as Kamsa?

The Sambhava Parva of Mahabharat mentions that Kamsa was a rebirth of the demon Kalanemi: "There was also born on earth a mighty Asura known amongst the Danavas by the name of Kalanemi, endued with ...
Dr. Vineet Aggarwal's user avatar
11 votes
1 answer
1k views

Why does Kulasekhara Alwar call Vishnu "Vitruvakodu's Lord"?

The Alwars (also spelled Azhwars) are a group of 12 ancient Vaishnava saints who lived in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their poetry in praise of Vishnu. The collection of their 4000 poems, known as ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
11 votes
1 answer
6k views

Where is the mention of 'Chanting Rama three times is equal to chanting 1000 names of Vishnu'?

In the ending part of Vishnu Sahasranaam Stotra these verses are recited: पार्वत्युवाच : केनोपायेन लघुनां विष्णुर्नामसहस्रकम् । पठ्यते पंण्डितैर नित्यं श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यहं प्रभो ॥ 26 ॥ ...
Tezz's user avatar
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11 votes
3 answers
16k views

What is the importance of Ekadashi?

In Hindu mythology it is said Ekadashi is said to be most auspicious day among the fifteen days of of krishna paksha or shukla paksha and it is very good to perform any fasting or any ritual or pooja ...
Sid M's user avatar
  • 2,380
10 votes
2 answers
3k views

What exactly are Pancharatra texts?

One of the early movements that was important to the development of Vaishnavism was the ancient Pancharatra movement, whose sacred texts or Agamas consisted of detailed procedures to worship the sage ...
Vishal prabhu lawande's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
566 views

Where do Vaishnava Scriptures declare Shiva as supreme god?

Some Shavaite scriptures declare Vishnu as supreme in some cases. Is there any mention of Shiva as supreme deity in Vaishnava scriptures?
user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
2k views

Is Vishnu a Vedic deity ? Are there any mantras attributed to him?

Is there any mantra attributed to Vishnu in the Veda (moola samhita). Not mention of word "Vishnu" but is he a "devata" for any specific mantra for example "brahmanaspati" devata for "gana nan tva ...
Rakesh Joshi's user avatar
  • 19.2k
9 votes
1 answer
2k views

What is the earliest reference to Vāsudeva as a name of Vishnu?

In the Bala Kanda of the Ramayana, the sage Vishwamitra tells Rama and Lakshmana the famous story of the descent of the Ganga river to Earth. As described in this chapter of the Bala Kanda, Rama's ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
1k views

Harihara literature

Which references exist in the academic literature on the concept of Harihara (= Vishnu + Shiva)? At which time was this concept developed? What is the precise meaning of the Harihara concept? Which ...
Jo Wehler's user avatar
  • 1,658
9 votes
4 answers
1k views

Why did Lord Chaitanya appear on earth?

Why did Lord Chaitanya appear on earth? Is he a Vishnu Avatar?
bhakta's user avatar
  • 1,027
8 votes
2 answers
17k views

Why do images of Sudarshana have Yoga Narasimha on the other side?

I'm currently visiting India, and in the Vishnu temple in my native village of Poondi, I saw a shrine dedicated to Chakrathalwar. For those who don't know, that is the Sri Vaishnava name for ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
4k views

What's story of Devi Savitri's curse on Trimurthi by which they were changed to Rivers?

When I was googling to know the legend of Krishna River, I found this page, which states Legends state that the River Krishna is Lord Vishnu himself who turned into a river due to a curse on the ...
The Destroyer's user avatar
  • 31.4k
8 votes
3 answers
4k views

How did Vishnu help Indra in killing Vritra?

The Verse 6.20.2 of Rigved says that Indra 'leagued' with Vishnu to destroy Vritra: 2 Even as the power of Dyaus, to thee, O Indra, all Asura sway was by the Gods entrusted, When thou, Impetuous! ...
Dr. Vineet Aggarwal's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
2k views

Which scripture describes six kalyana gunas (auspicious attributes) of Vishnu?

Vaishnav(ism) consider Vishnu as the supreme. I found that Vaishnav believes that Vishnu/Supreme has following six kalyana gunas (auspicious attributes): [According to Vedanta Brahman has sat-chit-...
Pandya's user avatar
  • 26.2k
8 votes
1 answer
12k views

How will the Kalki avatar look like?

How will the Kalki avatar look like, appearance-wise? I have heard he'll have a sword and ride atop a horse. Is it true?
prem30488's user avatar
  • 12k
8 votes
1 answer
2k views

What is the respective arrangement of Lord Vishnu's weapons in 24 Salagramas?

There are 24 types of Salagramams available for Lord Vishnu. Shank, Chakra, Gadha and Lotus ---- in which order it should come for these 24 types of salagramams and in which purana it is mentioned?
Parthasarathy Raghavan's user avatar
7 votes
0 answers
1k views

What is the earliest reference to the Asura Mahabali?

In modern times, Vishnu's most popular incarnations are Rama and Krishna. But that was not always the case; in ancient times Vishnu was most popularly associated with his incarnation as Vamana the ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
836 views

Which scriptures mention the Garbhodakshayi and Karanodakshayi forms of Lord Vishnu?

I have heard of different forms of Lord Vishnu such as the Garbhodakshayi, Karanodkashayi and Kshirdakashayi forms. I want to know which all Puranas or Vedic scriptures mention these three? EDIT: ...
Amrit Dhara's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
1k views

What is the Loka higher than Brahmaloka, where the Rathantara hymn is sung?

In the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata, just like in the Shanti Parva, Bhishma gives advice to Yudishthira and concerning how to be a good king and how to be good person, while he is lying on a ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
4k views

How many years did Lord Vishnu's human incarnations live for? [duplicate]

As per this question lord Ram must live more then 10000 years as if he ruled his kingdom for 10000 yrs. So How many years did lord Rama live on the earth? I also listen that lord Krishna lived for ...
Kailash Chandra Polai's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
789 views

What are the Pratishthasara and Vijnanalalita Agamas of Vaishnavism?

As I discuss in this answer, Hindu scripture is made up of two categories, Shruti or that which is heard from the gods, and Smriti or that which is composed by humans authors and passed down from ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
4k views

Is Indra the chief god of the Vedas?

While some puranas describe Indra as a devotee of Lord Vishnu or other gods, the Vedas, in contrast depict Lord Indra as the most important gods. This is visible across the length and breadth of the ...
Rakesh Joshi's user avatar
  • 19.2k
5 votes
0 answers
563 views

Is Vishnu's incarnation Dattatreya quoted in the Brahma Sutras?

As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
8k views

What is the story behind this Vishnu - Muchukunda painting?

I keep seeing this picture of a painting on my TV via Google Chromecast. The caption below the pic. reads: Vishnu Appears to King Muchukunda in a Cave in the Himalayas What is the backstory of ...
Say No To Censorship's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
1k views

Who is superior? Shiva or Vishnu or Brahma? [closed]

Vaishnavism people claim that Lord Vishnu is Superior where as Saivism people claim that Lord Shiva is. These people have proof of their puranas which backs-up their claims. Is there any strong ...
Maitry Shah's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Where is it written that Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu?

Many websites claim Ramakrishna Paramahamsa to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu by giving the following story: Nearly 150 years ago, a pious Brahmin named Kshudiram Chattopadhyaya lived there(...
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