Madhurakavi alvar.

Kanninun Siruttambu.

Sweeter to me than the Lord
who was fettered to the grindstone
Is the blessed saint of Kurugur;
His name makes my mouth water!

I uttered his name and found great joy,'
And sought his love lotus feet as truth,
Now another Lord I know not.
Singing his songs I roam the streets.

I roam but everywhere I see
The dark lovely frame of the Kurugur saint,
Who deemed me worthy of his grace.
This is my great fortune indeed.

Worthy scholars full of wisdom
Had declared me worthless, yet
Like father and mother in one.
He made me his own, Satakopan my lord.

Then I coveted others wealth,
courted lovely damsels.
Now I have the love, what more?---
Of the golden Kurugur city lord.

Henceforth and through seven lives.
That I may sing his praise, he hathed graced me,
He that rules the great city of Kurugur
Shall never fail me just see.

Having spotted me the dark framed saint
Purged me on my past misdeeds
I shall let the eight quarters know
The abiding grace of the speaker of pure Tamil.

For those who value grace,
He graced the Tamil Vedas see,
He sang for us a thousand sweet hymns
That is the greatest grace in this world.

He put great truths of the vedas
Into simple songs and placed them in my heart.
Great seer Satakopan's  all pervading love.
Is the reward for my surrender to him.

The useless and the worthless he will repair
And put to good use every soul.
O Lord of Kurugur where sweet cuckoos haunt,
 I only seek to deserve your abiding love.

to those who seek refuge,
Madhurakavi as friend has this to say
Seek refuge in the Lord of Kurugur
For believe me Vaikuntha is here.

STOTRA (NAN)

Among the main historical periods in the development of Hindu philosophy and religiosity none perhaps has been more innovative that the formative era of the Srivaishnava tradition. Long before the rise of the nothern Bhakti movement the early Brahmin Perceptor of Tamilian Vaishnavism effected a synthesis of elements from the nothern sanskrit stream of vedic literature with the elements of southern religiosity based on highly emotional form of bhakti unique to south India Before emotional devotion spread to the north (primarily via the southern text of Bhagavath purana) the Srivaishnava lineage of preceptors had gone a long way towards the legitimation of the emotional and sensual spirituality of the Alwars. They did this by declaring the Alwars poems to be Tamil Vedas and then proceded to synthesize several of the key features with the Sanskrit Veda especially as integrated by their leading teacher the great Visista philosopher Ramanujacharya.
The blending of three streams of religious scripture, the Sanskrit Vedas the Tamil Vedas and the temple oriented texts called the Vaishnava Pancharatra agamas effected by Ramanuja's immediate disciples and contempararies stands as one of the most innovative ventures in the intellectual history of Hinduism. The first extant comprehensive expression of the unique transformative Srivaishnav world view is contained in the composition of Ramanuj's immediate disciple Kuresa and Kures's son (according to some as Ramanuja's successor in the line of perceptors) Parasara Bhattar. Both of them effectively expressed their world view in praise poems or hymns called Stotras. Stotra is derived from the Sanskrit verbal root Stu meaning to praise, laud or eulogize. Stotra stands differentiated content wise into a wide variety of types. many of the stotras composed by unknown devotees are simple and wholly unsystematic expressions of personal devotion. Reflective and Speculative stotras in a more systematic format have been composed by intellectual leaders of the various Hindu traditions and are filled with philosophical and theological doctrines in a more pleasing form of poetry. The particular purposes of the hymns is sometimes mentioned in the final verse called phala stuthi.
The Alwars in their Tamil compositions accord explicit recognition to both the Nothern and Southern languages and speak persistently in an affermative manner of the Sanskrit vedas and Brahmins as they integrate much from the Sanskrit Classical tradition into their poems world view and spirituality. The stotra texts are written in Sanskrit and contain many renderings of the Tamil names  and local sacred places and dieties mentioned by the Alwars. As commentaries began to be written on the Alwars hymns maniparvala developed from generation to generaation into a language containing fewer and fewer sanskrit original words and concepts.
Vedanta Desika incorporatem more and more Tamil Vedas into his hymns.
Ramanuja occupies a position of eminence among the Acharya's. an understanding of Tamilian Vaishnava devotion and religiosity depends upon the study of both the lives and the compositions of all these early acharya's.
The praise poems of Kuresa and Bhattar contain interestingly new information regarding the status and development of the doctrine of Sri vaishnavism. Ideas are often expressed in poetic imagery before they are articulated in more conceptual and precise doctrinal formulations. Stotras are thereforea useful source on the intellectual history and tradition. Several of the later sectarian doctrines ignored in Ramanuja's philosophical commentaries but developed by later Acharyas such as Pillai Loka charya contain clear although poetic and nascent form. The vastness of Srivaishnava religious literature involving commentaries and comentary on commentaries is responsible for the confusion of the actual state of the religion.
What can i say about Him.
Who speaks inside me -Himself
singing his  own praise, with his own Words,
While arranging for the sweet stanzas to be spoken by me in my own word.

Temple and its significance.

There is an ancient proverb in Tamil which stipulates that no human being should live in a town which does not have a Temple. The Great Tamil Saint poet Avvaiyar said Othamal Orunalum irukkavendam meaning not a day should pass without praising the Lord.
Temples played a major role in social life. Temples are broadly clasified into three types. The Nagara is distinguished by curvilinear tower. the dravida style has its towers in the form of trucated pyramids. and the Vesara an admixture of both the styles. Temples do not seem to have existed during the vedic age. The practice of carving out the images of the deities mentioned in the vedas seem to have come into vogue by the end of the vedic period. The earlier temples were built with perishable material like timber and clay. Later they were carved out of stones. Heavy stone structures with detailed architectural style and fine scluptures are a more recent phenomenon.
The temple is the house of God on earth. thus it provides a link between man and God. the rajagopuram is the main gateway to this terestrial house of god. The dwajastambha in the temple represents the flag post on which is flown the flag of the main diety of the temple, outer walls i.e. prakara are the walls of the house. The Garbhagriha is the sanctum sanctorum wherein the main diety is housed. the tower on the top of the grabhagriha is the vimana. usually the temple is compared to the Human body. kathopanishad says the body of ours is the temple of the divine.
Viewed from another angle the Temple symbolises the world in all its aspects. The tall imposing gopuram at the entrance always attracts the immediate attention of the viewers. This sybolises the meaningless grandeur of the world in which we live. very often people wonder why the temple towers contain figures of animals, along with celestial, terrestrial, mythological and historical figures. some times even uncouth and indecent figures are carved. It is believed that the figures on he temple tower are only iconographical representations of the world as it exists. When we cross the Rajagopuram we symbolically leave behind this mundane world and start our journey to attain the supreme reality and bliss. the devotee starts from outside, passes through circutious routes and comes to the center i.e. the garbhagriha. This is the central point of his visit. that center or focus represents the creator - the diety from which everything has evolved. Thus the structure and the temple reflects the basic truth that God is the center and from him every thing starts.
The aproach to the sanctum sanctorum is usually kept dark. there are no windows there. The belief is that when one starts meditating one meets first the darkness. so also when one aproaches the sanctum it is dark but when the lamp is lit, enlightenment and wisdom dawn. When one is standing near the sanctum sanctorum one is expected not to stand in such a way as to obstruct the vahana of the divinity viewing the Lord. the point sought to be conveyed is that there should be similar uninterupted link, through concentration of mind between devotee and diety. when a curtain is drawn and one is allowed a view of the diety, it is symbolic of removal of the curtain of ignorance and revelation of supreme enlightenment. Further when the camphor is lit and it leaves no residue, it means that after attaining enlightenment the Jivathma merges with Paramathma and that is full salvation. thus various stages of worship at the temple have their own symbolic significance.

It is also believed that through worship in the temple the five senses of man get sublimated. first sense is sight. When one passes from the bright outer prakara towards the dark sanctum sanctorum, the eye cannot see anything and when the curtain is drawn aside the eye sees god and no longer seeks God. so the eye learns its lesson that it shall see God in everything. When the temple bell rings, and prayers are chanted, the ears hears the sound and thus get sublimated. When the offerings to the Lord i.e. prasadam is eaten, the tongue gets its chance to be sublimated. The beautiful aroma of flowers and Tulasi, offered to god sublimates the nose. By applying the holy ash or sandal paste, the sense of touch gets sublimated. Thus by worshiping in the temple, the five senses gets elevated.

Thus the Temple is not a mere architectural marvel, It is verily an institution intimately conected with man and his life in this loka and paraloka.

Saranagathi as Mokshopaya.

Prapatti marks an intense state of Bhakti. It is known severally as Nyaasa, Tyaaga, saranagathi, Prapadana, Atma Nikshepa and Bharanyasa. All these mean seeking refuge at the Feet of the supreme as the Mokshopaya.
Saranagathy as an Upaya for Moksha is one of the most effective means. the Taittiriya Upanishad lists out in the ascending order of effectiveness, the different paths leading to Moksa.

Satyam                                  : Practice of Truth.
Tapas                                    : reducing bodily needs.
Dama                                    : Control of one's outer senses.
Sama                                     : Control of one's inner sense.
Danam                                   : Liberaly donating one's wealth.
Dharma                                  : Practice of one's duties.
Prajanana                               : Begetting children.
Agneyah                                 : Offering to the Devas through fire.
Yajna                                     : Sacrifices.
Maanasa                                 : Meditation on God.
Nyasa                                     : Surrender.

the said upanishad also refers to Nyasa as Devaanaam Guhyam: i.e. the devas regard Nyasa as a top secret. the scriptures says Nyasa is Saakshaat Moksha upaya. i.e. direct means to Moksa.

The main aspect of Prapatti marg are popularly known as Shad (six) Angas as against ashtanga yoga of Patanjali.
The five angas are:
Aanukoolya Sankalpa
Pratikoolya Varjana.
Mahavishvasa.Goptritva Varana
Aatmanikshepa
Kaarpanya or Aakinchinyam.

for the Love of God.

Sanskrit and Tamil are perhaps two of the oldest languages of the world that have produced great literature. Both belong to India. sanskrit is the language of the Aryans. and Tamil that of the Dravidians. It is indeed amazing how these two languages influence each other. The vedic gods were the forces of nature, rain, thunder, fire, earth and sky, the sun, moon and stars. gradually Rudra and Vishnu attained pre-eminance and attracted worshippers. Interestingly Vedic literature is more religious than secular. where as the earliest Tamil literature now available to us was more secular than religious. Important Tamil poems like the Tirumuruharruppadai, celebrating the glory of Muruha, the favourite tamil God or Meyon another name for Krishna or Vishnu. Also the Paripaadal has seven poems devoted to Vishnu and eight to Muruha.
Later in the History of India, both Jains and Buddhist who rebelled against the authority of the Vedas attracted many adherents in the south. they left behind considerable literary works epic romance, proverbs and moral instructions, remarkable for their depth of feeling and grace and polish of their expressions. subsequently the great acharyas Shankara Ramanuja and Madhava attempted to undo the influence of the Jains and Buddhists to re-establish Hinduism.
The Shaivite devotee of this period is depicted as being acutely aware of his tendency to sin, calls himself a cur, and is amazed by god's grace towards him. Manikkavachakar's Tiruvachakam is full of Passionate yearning for God, with an equally passionate dispisal of himself as wholly unworthy.

For the Love of God the Religious classic of the Vaishnavities the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham contains 23 works big and small authored by the (Azhwars) meaning God Immersed, or (Alwar) meaning ruler or born to rule. it can be taken as a tribute paid to a great devotee of God meant by him to rule the rest of humanity.
From the works of the azhwars it appears that several of them questioned the notion of Moksha. Thirumangai alwar declared "what is all this talk of Moksha? we have seen none who has actually attained it, heard none narrating the experience. all that people want is happiness, the happiness of heaven attained through Dharma, or on earth as artha, the first two steps are preliminary to the third karma. which was the end so his aim was to achieve krishna not moksa.
Tondaradippodi alwar claimed that he was more than ready to exchange not only paradise but the kingship of paradise for perpetual life on earth, provided he could always see the Vishnu idol before him. adressing the Reclining figure of SriRanganatha in Srirangam he sang:
Lord of Srirangam the great city.
Your form is a mountain of Jade,
Your mouth Coral,
Your eyes red lillies,
Unshakable bull among lords!
Sprig of the cowherd clan,
Should i be asked to exchange
The savour of chanting these names
to go out and get instead
The savour of ruling Heaven,
I would not my lord,
Make that exchange.

The noticible feature of the prabandham is the mingling of both the Aryan and Dravidian cultures.
Curiously enough, while every poem attributed to andal describes itself in its signature stanza as a composition by the daughter of vishnuchittan of Puduvai or puttur, the works of Vishnuchittan himself make no reference or mention of this gifted daughter.

Vishnuchittan
Special lines in Palland.
To you gem Hued with your wrestlers shouldres, Your rosy feet our rest.

Come quickly to partake of the joy abounding, and shout "hail Narayana", so that the land city and hamlet may hear you. and the benediction you invoke On our lord.

Learn to sing a benediction for him so that your worldly bounds may be snapped.

To him will I sing 'All Hail' who has
The garuda on his flag
And has given me rice ghee-soaked and service
Perpetual in his court.
Betel to chew, neclace and earings,
cool sandal paste for my body
And everything to make me lead
A pure and spotless life.

I too have now become,  LORD,
a retainer of yours.
In all ways i will sing and spread
"HAIL NARAYANA"
that  I may ever tread the good path
And sing this benediction.

For the pure one, the supreme wielder
Of the bow saranga
will for ages take delight
In that great ones company,
Lauding him with it.


Thalatu.
Hush a bye Baby.

Brahma sent you in his love
This little cradle of pure gold
With rubies set on either side
and diamonds inbetween
Hush a bye, my little dwarf
who spanned the world.

Siva on his bull sent you
to wear round your waist this beautiful belt
made of gold and set with gems
sparkling like pomegranate seeds
dont cry dont cry the owner of all
Hush a bye, world spanner.

Indra sent for my dear Lord
who wears Lakshmi on his chest
And whose feet are like Lotuses
With lovely anklets    and stood by
Hush a bye dear lotus eyed.

The gods in heaven have sent you
A right Whorled conch
Tinkling anklets for your rosy feet,
Bangles for wrists,
A string as a necklace and one for the waist
Red eyed dark cloud Hush a bye,
Dwarakas lion hush a bye.

The bountiful donor Kubera
Thinking it the most appropriate
Brought for your chest and amulet
With Vishnu's five weapons in relief
strung on a necklace and stood by
Hush a bye pure gem hued.

Strings from the sea of dazzling pearls
And corals of the best quality
And bangles and ampulets
Varuna has sent you
Bright locks are curly Hush a bye
Winsome shoulders hush a bye.

Garlands of Tulasi fragrant and forest grown
and chaplets of heaven grown Karpakam
Have been sent by Lotus borne Lakshmi
Dont cry my king dont cry
Hush a bye as if in Kudantai.

A cloth band to keep your garments in place,
A small dagger, a gold flower for the head
Have been sent to you by the earth Goddess
You who sucked the demoness dry
Hush a bye do not cry.

Sandal paste musk camphor and turmeric
and colyrium for your lovely large eyes
The Goddess of Learning stands holding in her hand
Dont cry sir dont cry
Hush in Srirangam
This well knit song was composed
by the brahmin of Puduvai
Stating how his cowherdess mother
Lulled to sleep the dark hued one
who was to suck the demoness dead
Who came deceitfully to suckle him
those who would recite it
Shall be free from all evil.

Naachiyar Tirumozhi

The God of love invoked.

All through the month of Tai, Ananga
I swept the floor and drew figures on it,
And now in Maasi 's first fortnight
Adorned the streets with grains of sand
I Worshipped you and your younger brother
So that you may save my life
Will you join my destiny
To Venkatam's Lord whose disc spits fire.

O Kama, I'd placate you with penance,
Strewing the streets with white fine sand
Bathing before the crack of dawn
And feeding your fire with thornless twigs,
With flowers that are dripping honey
The name of the sea Hued written on them
Will you aim at him and join me
to the tearer of the beak of the demon bird.

With fragrant datura and drumstick flowers
Three times a day i worship your feet
That with my heart aflame I may not revile you
Call u a fraud and blacken your name
with bunches of fresh blown flowers for your darts
And the name of Govinda written on them
Will you aim at that wonderful Venkatam's Lord
And link my destiny to that lamp.

O Kama look, I have shown on that wall
Your ancestry and flag and fish
Horses women and white fly whisks
and a bow made of sugarcane
From childhood i have dedicated
To the Lord of Dwaraka and him alone
Join my destiny quickly with his.


Dont ruin our sand castles.
O thousand named Narayana
Incarnate now as man
If you were indeed our cousin
All our troubles would have gone
We have decorated this street
Welcoming Kama in panguni
O wicked Sridhara, bearer of Lakshmi
Dont you ruin our sand castles.

We have broken our backs all day
Putting these castles up
Let us now rest and look at them
and quench our ardour thus....


We have worked with our braceleted hands
to filter and winnow the sand
With the seas pure waves for your bed
Dont ruin our sand castles.

O hued like the thick rain cloud
you charm us with your words and deeds
your face holds us in thrall
as if under a magical spell
We say nothing to hurt you
less you call us thoughtless brats
O you with your eyes like the lotus
dont ruin our sand castles.

Reveal my luck

If I'll have the fortune to touch
and fondle the feet
of the God whom many pure devotees
worship with raised hands
The Lord of Tirumal's grove
Who may lie whereever he list---
O Loop i draw, come out right.

If the one whom Brahma and the gods
adore and praise
the son of lovely Devaki
of the bright brows
Good Vasudeva's princely son
will come to me
O loop i draw, come out right
and reveal my luck.

If he will come who does not dwell
Except in the heart
Of those that love him ardently
Dwaraka's king
The cowherd whose great pleasure lies
In grazing and sport
o loop i draw come out right
and revel my luck.

A Dream Wedding.

My friend I dreamt that Narayanan
with a thousand elephants came
In a procession and was received
By the city all bedecked
With festoons and flans along the streets
and brimming golden jugs.

My friend, I dreamt that tomorrow
Being fixed as my wedding day
He Madhava Hari Govinda
Entered like a bull
A canopy of coconut fronds
With cluster of areca nut

My friend I dreamt that Indra the god
Came down with his clan
to bespeak the bride and fix the terms
And andari the bridegrooms sister
Wrapped round me the bridal saree
And then garlanded me

My friend, I dreamt that numerous priests
Brought water for holy sprinkling
from the four corners of the earth
And raising vedic chants
Knoted the guarding string round my wrist
That i may wed kannan the pure

My friend I dreamt that Mathura's King
Sandalled striding in
Shook the earth and beautiful maids
Advanced to welcome him
Carrying lamps as bright as the sun
And many an ornate jug

My friend i dreamt that my husband to be
Madusudana took my hand
Drums beating and conches blowing
Under a canopy
Which were sagging under the weight
Of the pearls strung from it.

My friend i dreamt that the veda versed
had built a fire and banked it
With a boundry of green grass
And he an elephant in must
Took my hand in his and we both
Walked around that fire.

My friend I dreamt that Narayanan
To whom i shall be bound
In this birth and for seven times seven
Caught hold of my foot
And placed it with his lovely hand
On the grinding stone

My friend i dreamt that my elder brothers
Bright faced with brows like bows
sat me in front of the fire and stirred it
And placing my hand in his
the leonine - they fed that flame
Liberally with puffed rice

My friend i dreamt that i was smeared
with sandal and saffron paste
And the two of us taken on an elephant
Through decorated streets
In a procession that was to end
In a fragrant ritual bath.

Kodai the daughter of Puduvai's chief
Respected by the brahmins
Strung these twice five verses in Tamil
Sactified by her dream
The wish fulfillment of her wedding
to the divine cowherd
Those who can recite them well
Will be gladdened with good children.

Though Maha Vishnu assumes various aspects such as Para, Vyuha, Vibhava, Antaryami and Archa, it is in the worship of His iconic form the Alwars found immeasurable joy and ecstasy. they realized that the Lord is the very acme of simplicity reaching out to reclaim the fallen souls. These mystic bards, soaked in divine love, visited the divya desams, admired the towers and turrets and described the grandeur and glory of the deities enshrined there in exquisite poetry. The archa form of the Lord is to shower his divine grace on the people of yesterday today and tomorrow.
Thirumangai alwar says "Pinnanar vanangum shodhi" meaning a light that can be seen and prostrated by posterity. The archa forms can be classified as swayam vyakta, daiva, saiddha and manusha. swayam vyaktha means appearing in the archa form on his own there are 8 such places. the first being Srirangam, Srimushnam, Venkatadri, Salagrama, Naimisharanya, Vanamamalai, Pushkaram and Nara narayana ashrama (Badri)

Tell me white conch










to be continued.

According to Manu there are four sources of Dharma:

The Veda, tradition, the conduct of virtuous people and one’s own conscience,
 these are declared to be the distinct four-fold sources of Dharma. (Manu 2:12)

The primary source of Dharma is the Veda and when we seek spiritual guidance from the Veda we are totally confused by the immensity, obscurity and complexity of the teachings! Therefore, how do we deal with this vast resource of knowledge? What is significant and what is not? What do I accept and what do I reject? It is in this context that one has recourse to the study of Mĩmāṃsa or hermeneutics.

Hermeneutics is the study of theories of the interpretation and understanding of texts, particularly sacred texts. A hermeneutic is defined as a specific system or methodology for interpretation.

Exegesis involves an extensive and critical interpretation of a sacred text using a hermeneutic. The word exegesis means “to draw out the meaning of” a given text. Exegesis may be contrasted with eisegesis which means to read one’s own interpretation into a given text. In general, exegesis presumes an attempt to view the text objectively, while eisegesis implies more subjectivity.

The terms exegesis and hermeneutic may be used interchangeably; however, there remains a distinction. Exegesis is the practical application of hermeneutics, which is the interpretation and understanding of a text on the basis of the text itself.

Traditional exegesis requires the following:

·         Analysis of significant words in the text in regard to translation;

·         Examination of the general historical and cultural context,

·         Confirmation of the limits of the passage,

·         Examination of the context within the text.

The term Mĩmāṃsa is derived from the Sanskrit root “man” — “to think, consider, examine, or investigate.” Here the term, etymologically means: “desire to cogitate” and is used to signify a thorough consideration, examination, or investigation of the meaning of Vedic Texts. Mĩmāṃsa is “rational enquiry” which “attempts at rational conclusions”.

We must remember and apply the above mentioned principles when studying the Vedic literatures and above all understand the difference between sakala and niskala, that which is perceivable and that which is not perceivable to our mind, intelligence and senses. For example, we may accept and apply the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita in our lives, however, we may not be able to prove for a fact that Krishna was ever present on this Earth. Therefore we have to keep in perspective what we are studying and how it should be understood and applied in our daily lives, according to time, place and circumstance.

Applying the above mentioned systems of interpretation to the Vedic texts, let us meditate on the following statement:

“What is beyond matter, spirit, manifestation, and time; that pure [state] which sages behold that is the supreme abode of Vishnu”! (Vishnu Purana 1.2.16)

copied from the yajur veda resources australiasa.

all the charmas VISHNU

The Varaha Charma Sloka

Sthite manasi susvaste
Sarire sathi yo narah!
Dhaatu saamaye sthite smartaa
Visvaroopam cha maam ajam!!
Tatastam mriyamaanam tu
Kaastha paashaana sannibham!
Aham smaraam madbhaktam
Nayaami paramaam gatim!!

Sri NarasimhaCharma sloka.

Satyam braveemi manujaah svayam oordhvabaahuh
Yo maam Mukunda! Narasimha! Janaardana iti
Jeevan japtyanudinam marane rineeva
Paashaana kaastha sadrishaaya dadaami muktim.

The Rama Charma Sloka.

Sakrdeva prapannaaya
Tatvaasmeethi cha yaachate
Abhayam sarva bhootebhyo
Dadaami etad vratam mama.


Sri Krishna Charma Sloka.

Sarva dharman parityajya maam ekam saranam vraja
Aham tvaa sarva paapebhyo mokshayishyammi maa suchah.


Sita Charma Sloka

Paapaanaam vaa subhaanaam vaa
Vadhaarhaanaam plavangama
Kaaryam karunam aaryena
Na kaschit na aparaadhyati.

The Supremacy of Vishnu.
How the concept of Vishnu started and attained its zenith, makes an interesting study. Vishnu who was considered as the supreme being by the time of the itihasas and the puranas was just an ordinary god in the Rigveda.
In rigveda Agni is glorified first. Indra is the king of Gods who is praised in the maximum no of hymns. Vishnu is described as a young and powerful god. helping Indra in his wars against demons. He is compared to a ferocious lion moving on the mountains. His abode is said to be fixed like an eye in the sky. His highest abode is seen by the wise. "tad Visnoh paramam padam sada pasyanti surayah." it is also mentioned that a spring of honey is found in his abode. Honey is another name for amrita nectar. The place of immortality moksha. Vishnu is the supreme being because he who confers liberation alone is the highest brahman.
In the Krishna Yajur Veda Vishnu is described as the creator, protector and pervader of every thing. He is said to protect the sacrifice which occupied an important place in the religious life of a man.\
In Sukla Yajur Veda Vishnu's supramacy is quiet evident. He is said to preside over a sacrifice. He is said to have his abode in the orb of the sun.
The Purusha sukta is called the suppliment of the Rigveda. In this there is the description of a cosmic Purusha who, by performing a sacrifice, became the cosmos itself. He is said to have "Hrisca te Laksmisca patnyau"
In the Brahmanas and Upanishads.
Brahmanas are prose portions which explain the vedic mantras; they too form part of the Vedas. The Aitareya Brahmana opens with the following statement "agnir vai devanam avamah; visnuh paramah"
The Satapatha Brahmana refers to a divinity called "Narayana" who performed the "Pancaratra sattra" and became great. (sacrifice lasting five days and nights.)
In Taittiriya Aranyaka references are made to Narasimha and Vamana.
In the Subala and Maha Narayana Upanishad "Eko ha vai Narayana asit; na Brahma, na isanah"
In the epics Vishnu's supremacy became an established fact.
Ramayana. In the Balakanda we have the story of the dual between Vishnu and siva narrated by Parasurama to Sri Rama. vishnu by mere "Humkara" (frowning) made siva motionless.
"Jrmbhitam tad dhanuh drstva saivam Visnuparamaih adhikaram menire Visnum devah sarsiganah tada"
Rama to Jatayu. "Anujanami te saumya gaccha lokan anuttaman" Killing of Vali and sal tree episode too.
Mahabaratha. The entire story revolves round Krishna.
a. In the Sabha parva is narrated the story of how Sisupala's soul enters the person of Srikrishna, in the presence of all the assembled kings.
b. When Krishna came as an ambassador of the Pandavas, duryodhana and his evil circle of friends decide to arrest him with a rope. Krishna then shows his cosmic form, at the sight of which all faint.
c. when Draupadi is being disrobed Krishna gives her aksaya vastra.
d. Krishna shows Arjuna his Visvaroopa darshan in Kurukshetra and taught the Bhagvad Gita.
e. Chapters 10 and 11 show that the entire universe is but a fraction of His unbounded splendour and that every thing emanates and merges in his Cosmic form.
f. Sarva dharman parityajya. in the 18th chapter.
Vishnu in the Puranas.Srivaishnava acharyas classify puranas as sattvic, rajasic and tamasic. Puranas that glorify vishnu are classified sattvic eg. Vishnu purana, Bhagvatpurana and Garuda purana. those that glorify Brahma are called Rajasic eg. Brahma purana and Brahmanda purana etc. Puranas that glorify Agni, Siva, Kali, and other gods and goddesses are called tamasic. eg Agni purana, Lingapurana, Devibhagavata. The Srivaishnava teachers advise that those who seek liberation should value only the Sattvic Puranas.
Vishnu purana is one of the oldest and most authoritative Vaisnava Purana. Parasara the author glorifies Lord Visnu as the Supreme Being who is always associated with his consort Sri or Lakshmi. They are inseperable. Whatever form the Lord may take Sri also takes a suitable form and joins Him. "Raghavatve abhavat Sita, rukmini, krsna-janmani, anyesu cha avataresu visnoh esa anapayini,"
The Bhagavata Purana Krishna is the highest. "Ete ca amsa kalah Visnoh krisnastu Bhagavan svayam" He is called Bhagvan one who has six perfections namely Jnana, knowledge; sakti,potency; Bala, strength; Aisvarya, lordship; Virya, Virility; and Tejas, splendour;
Sri Krishna exhibits the twin qualities of Paratva and Saulabhya.
"sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada sevanam, arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atmanivedanam"
The importance of devotion to Vishnu.
Temple is considered as a symbol of the isolated entrechment of Omnipresent cosmic energy in mundane environments. Eversince man has started to appreciate the five primordial elements, a sense of veneration and adoration developed in him, which ultimately culminated in the composite form of these five elements, with all his physical resemblences. This unique form was consecrated in a firm place and was called God. The pious man attended to the needs of  the Deity in the form of pujas, rituals etc. and thus paved for himself a way to assimilate the symbolism behind the conception of temple and worship.
The abodes of worship, so came into being, have always been the centers of spiritualism. Besides they instilled confidence in the devotees in overcoming the obstacles in all walks of life, be they spiritual or otherwise.
India the birth place of many religions can legitimately be called the land of temples. Every temple in our country declares God's glory and magnificence.

Sriman Narayana, The supreme being is the object of our knowledge. The almighty whom we seek to know fully must be known in his substantial nature as well as in His inseperable nature of relationship with Jivatma and Prakriti. His svarupa (transcendent) Sachidananda and Lordship (isitrtvam) are essentially to be recognised and we realise Him through His traits of  Satyam, Jnanam, Anandam, Anantham and Amalathvam. these qualities are known as Svarupanirupaka Dharmas. His immeasurabaly abundant attributes (kalyanagunas) are Aisvarya, Virya, tejas, Sakti, Jnana and Bala. Hence he is anantha. His traits par excellence is his easy accessibility to devotees. (Pranata Saulabhyam).
Lord VISHNU is one of the Lords of the holy trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. the creator the preserver and the destroyer representing easy accessibility (Saulabhya) benign condescension (Sauhitya) and tender solicitude (Vatsalya). Vishnu finds mention in all the four vedas the Rig, Yajur, Sma and Atharvana veda.. He represents Sattvaguna and is the centripetal force responsible for sustenance, protection and maintenance of the universe. Vishnu means one who pervades. one who is to be seen in everything. He is therefore Immanent and Transcendent.
Vishnu means one who pervades. One who is to be seen in everything. He is therefore immanent and transscedent. He is also known as Kesava, Narayana,Madhava, Govinda, Vishnu, Madhusudhana, Trivikrama, Vamana, Sridhara, Hrishikesha, Padmanabha, Damodara, Samkarshana, Vasudeva, Pradyumna, Anirudha, Purushothama, Adhokshaja, Nrisimha, Achyuta, Janardhana, Upendra, Hari and Sri Krishna.
He is refered to as Antaryami, it connotesHis presence within us as the inner controller of conscience. We do not have to go seeking him elsewhere, True Bhakti and sincere unswerving devotion is only essential to attain His lotus feet.
Types of devotion
1. Sravana listening to the expositions of  the glory of God and hearing His divine names mentioned by others.
2. Kirtana where the God is praised through Hymns and chants.
3. Smarana The greatness of the Lord is enjoyed by remembering Him, thinking of Him and contemplating on His effulgence and divine grace.
4. Padaseva worshiping His lotus feet.
5. Archana Fowers are offered to the Lord along with chanting of his name.
6. Vandana offereing obeisance to Him.
7. Dasya unqustioning servitude to the Lord.
8. Sakhya the devotee claims friendship with the Lord and wants to enjoy and command the rights that one exercises with a true friend.
9. Atma nivedana One offers ones own self to the Lord.
Any offering can be bought and given to the Lord but the most precious gift is to offer oneself unconditional surrender. Lord is both the goal and the way.
Vishnu purana states to attain moksha in Kritayuga people took to meditation, in Tretayuga it was achieved through performing sacrifices in Dwapara through ritual worship and in Kaliyuga by mere chanting of his name.
The efficacy of the mere names of the manifold names of Narayana is reflected in the Mahabharatha epic towards the end where Yudhisthira meets Bhishma before he departs. He is requested to instruct on the principles of dharma He is asked six questions.
1. What is that one godhead that is declared in all the knowledge disciplines?
2. What is the sole supreme goal?
3. Worshiping whom do men attain the one and final goal?
4. Worshipping whom do they gain the highest Bliss?
5. Among all dharmas which is the supreme Dharma?
6. By reciting what is the living being liberated from the bondage of the cycle of birth and death?
Bhishma's reply was:
1. By reciting the myriad epithets of Vishnu one can get liberated from the Human bondage,.
2. By worshipping Vishnu with devotion one can gain the supreme good.
3. By praising forever the all pervading Vishnu who is undiminished, unborn, endless, immenent supreme Lord one can get behind all sorrows.
4. Of all the dharmas the greatest dharma is to incessantly and devoutly worship the lotus eyed Vishnu.
5. The supreme good is the Lord who is the final end of all beings. He is the supreme light, supreme tapas, and supreme Brahman, In Him is contained existence, consciousness and bliss.
6. That Supreme God Narayana is the purest of the pure, the most auspicious of all that is auspicious, the imperishable, father of all beings. He destroys the cause of bondage in samsara. He removes all ignorance. He is the creator of all beings yet Himself remains unchanged. He always has our wellbeing in mind.
Bhishma says that Vishnu the victorious the great expanse, the established power, the great overlord with multiform, the destroyer of evil. He refers to VIshnu as Jagat prabhu, Deva deva, Purushothama,anadhi nidanam, Vishnum, sarvaloka maheswaram, Lokadhyaksham, sarva dharmajnam, Lokanatham, Mahadbootham, sarvabhoota bhavodhbhavam, Pundarikaksham, so on all the 1008 names.
yet to come the following.
Efficacy of Saranagathi.
The blessed state of a true devotee
The vanity of worldly achievements
The Bliss that encompasses when one seeks protection at the feet of the Supreme.