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{{Short description|Commander-in-chief of the army of the Hindu god Vishnu}}
{{Short description|Commander-in-chief of the army of the Hindu god Vishnu}}
{{confuse|Vishwak Sen}}
{{confuse|Vishwak Sen}}
{{Infobox deity
'''Vishvaksena''' or '''Vishwaksena''', also known as '''Senai Mudalvar (Sena Mudaliar)''' and '''Senadhipathi''' (all literally "army-chief"<ref name="Nayar p. 103">Nayar p. 103</ref>), is the commander-in-chief of the army of the Hindu god [[Vishnu]] and the gate-keeper and "chamberlain" of Vishnu's abode [[Vaikuntha]].<ref name = "tirumala"/><ref>Nayar p. 96</ref> Vishvaksena is worshipped before any ritual or function in [[Vaikhanasas]] and [[Sri Vaishnavism]] sects. He occupies an important place in [[Vaikhanasa]] and [[Pancaratra]] temple traditions, where often temple festivals begin with his worship and procession.
| type = Hindu
| deity_of = Commander of [[Vishnu]]'s Armies<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FmdoEAAAQBAJ&dq=vishvaksena+commander&pg=PT41 | title=Life of Sri Ramanuja | date=7 April 2022 | publisher=Sri Ramakrishna Math }}</ref>
| venerated_in = [[Vaishnavism]]
| abode = [[Vaikuntha]]
| spouse = Sutravati<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ge5ZAAAAIAAJ&q=vishvaksena+commander | title=Sri Vishnu Sahasranama: With the Bhashya of Sri Parasara Bhattar : With Translation in English | year=1983 | publisher=Sri Visishtadvaita Pracharini Sabha }}</ref>
| image = Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Vishnu, in Srirangam, near Tiruchirappali (145) (37255580330).jpg
| caption = Vishvaksena, depicted as a [[dvarapala]] (gatekeeper) at [[Srirangam]]
| other_names = Senai Mudalavar, Senathipati
| parents =
| children =
}}
'''Vishvaksena''' ({{Langx|sa|विष्वक्सेन|lit=all-conqueror|translit=Viṣvaksenā}})<ref name="Nayar p. 103">Nayar p. 103</ref> or '''Vishwaksena''', is the commander-in-chief of the army of the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] deity [[Vishnu]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2015-08-27 |title=Vishvaksena, Viṣvaksenā, Visvaksena, Viṣvaksena, Vishvac-sena, Vishvakshena: 17 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vishvaksena |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> additionally serving as a gatekeeper and chamberlain of his celestial abode of [[Vaikuntha]].<ref name="tirumala" /><ref>Nayar p. 96</ref> As the embodiment of the [[Tantras (Hinduism)|tantras]],<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HUSCDwAAQBAJ&dq=vishvaksena+purana&pg=PT499 |title=The Bhagavata Purana 3 |date=2019-01-21 |publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited |isbn=978-93-5305-380-2 |language=en}}</ref> Vishvaksena is worshipped before any ritual or function in the [[Vaikhanasas]] and [[Sri Vaishnavism]] sects. He occupies an important place in [[Vaikhanasa]] and [[Pancaratra]] temple traditions, where temple festivals often begin with his worship and procession.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pattanaik |first=Devdutt |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wh22qvzQuowC&dq=vishvaksena+doorkeeper&pg=RA1-PA67-IA4 |title=99 Thoughts on Ganesha |date=2015-01-27 |publisher=Jaico Publishing House |isbn=978-81-8495-152-3 |pages=67 |language=en}}</ref>


==Iconography and associations==
==Iconography and associations==
{{Blockquote|text=धर्मः स्वनुष्ठितः पुंसां विष्वक्सेनकथासु यः ।
[[File:Bhagavan Vishnu.jpg|upright|thumb|Vishvaksena is sometimes described looking similar to his master Vishnu (pictured).]]
नोत्पादयेद्यदि रतिं श्रम एव हि केवलम् ॥८॥|author=[[Vyasa]]|title=Srimad Bhagavatam|source=Book I, Chapter II}}{{Blockquote|text=Vishva is the universe or entire creation and Sena is Army. As Lord has his army in every nook and corner of the universe, he is Vishvaksena.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RQQ-AQAAMAAJ&dq=srimad+bhagavatam+vishvaksena&pg=PA48 | title=A Prose English Translation of Srimadbhagavatam | year=1896 | publisher=M.N. Dutt }}</ref>}}
⚫
The ''[[Kurma Purana]]'' describes Vishvaksena as born out of a portion of Vishnu, carrying a conch ([[shankha]]), [[Sudarshana chakra]] (discus) and [[gada (weapon)|gada]] (mace) and wearing yellow clothes like his master.<ref name="Dimmitt1978">{{cite book|author=Cornelia Dimmitt|title=Classical Hindu Mythology: A Reader in the Sanskrit Puranas|date=15 June 1978|publisher=Temple University Press|isbn=978-0-87722-122-7|page=208}}</ref> The ''[[Kalika Purana]]'' describes him as an attendant of Vishnu, who has four arms, and is red and brown in complexion. He seats on a white [[Nelumbo nucifera|lotus]], has long beard and wears matted hair. He carries a lotus, gada, Shanka and chakra in his hands.<ref name="ShastriArts1994">{{cite book|author1=Biswanarayan Shastri|author2=Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts|title=Kālikāpurāṇe Mūrtivinirdeśaḥ7|date=1 January 1994|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-1124-9|page=107}}</ref><ref name="Dalal p. 462">Dalal p. 462</ref> The [[Pancharatra]] text ''[[Lakshmi Tantra]]'' mentions Vishvaksena as four-armed and holding a shankha and a lotus.<ref>Gupta p. 246</ref> In another instance, he is said to carry a sword and a club, wear yellow clothes and have tawny eyes, beard and eyebrows and four teeth.<ref>Gupta pp. 263</ref> In a hymn, the remark is that Vishvaksena carries all attributes of Vishnu, including the [[srivatsa]] mark and his weapons.<ref>Gupta p. 90</ref> The Vishvaksena icon of the [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]] has four hands and carries a conch ([[shankha]]) [[Sudarshana chakra]] (discus) in his upper hands and his lower hands are on thigh (''Gada hasta'') and in ''Avgana hasta''.<ref name = "tirumala"/>


⚫
The ''[[Kurma Purana]]'' describes Vishvaksena to have born out of a portion of Vishnu, carrying a conch ([[shankha]]), [[Sudarshana chakra|Sudarshana Chakra]] (discus) and [[gada (weapon)|gada]] (mace) and wearing [[Pītāmbara|yellow clothes]] like his master.<ref name="Dimmitt1978">{{cite book|author=Cornelia Dimmitt|title=Classical Hindu Mythology: A Reader in the Sanskrit Puranas|date=15 June 1978|publisher=Temple University Press|isbn=978-0-87722-122-7|page=208}}</ref> The ''[[Kalika Purana]]'' describes him as an attendant of Vishnu, who has four arms, and is red and brown in complexion. He seats on a white [[Nelumbo nucifera|lotus]], has long beard and wears matted hair. He carries a lotus, gada, shanka, and chakra in his hands.<ref name="ShastriArts1994">{{cite book|author1=Biswanarayan Shastri|author2=Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts|title=Kālikāpurāṇe Mūrtivinirdeśaḥ7|date=1 January 1994|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-1124-9|page=107}}</ref><ref name="Dalal p. 462">Dalal p. 462</ref>
⚫
Vishvaksena does not appear in [[Vedas]] or the [[Dharma Shastra]] texts, but his worship is mentioned in Pancharatra and other [[Āgama (Hinduism)|Agama]] texts.<ref name="Nayar p. 103"/> Vishvaksena is believed to symbolize the sacred Agama scriptures.<ref name="Dalal p. 462"/>


The [[Pancharatra]] text ''[[Lakshmi Tantra]]'' mentions Vishvaksena as [[Chaturbhuja|four-armed]] and holding a shankha and a lotus.<ref>Gupta p. 246</ref> In another instance, he is said to carry a sword and a club, wear yellow clothes and have tawny eyes, beard and eyebrows, and four teeth.<ref>Gupta pp. 263</ref> In a hymn, the remark is that Vishvaksena carries all attributes of Vishnu, including the [[srivatsa]] mark and his weapons.<ref>Gupta p. 90</ref> The Vishvaksena icon of the [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]] has four hands and carries a conch ([[shankha]]) [[Sudarshana chakra]] (discus) in his upper hands and his lower hands are on thigh (''Gada hasta'') and in ''Avgana hasta''.<ref name="tirumala" />
⚫
The twelve [[Alvars|Alvar saints]] of [[Sri Vaishnavism]] sect are considered as manifestations of Vishnu in some form, and the Alvar saint [[Nammalvar]] is considered as an [[avatar]] of Vishvaksena.<ref>Dalal p. 20, 270</ref> The poet Bhattar in his ''Srirangaraja Stava'' has ''taniyans'' or verses praising various [[acharya]]s (teachers). Vishvaksena also has a ''taniyan'' dedicated to him in the later part of the work, incorporating him in the list of the traditional Sri Vaishnava [[Guru-shishya tradition|guru parampara]] (succession of teachers and disciples) starting from Vishnu's consort [[Lakshmi]] (Sri) to Nammalvar. This indicates the influence of Pancharatra texts on [[Sri Vaishnavism]].<ref>Nayar pp. 95–96</ref>


In the Madhva sect of Vaishnavism, Vishvaksena is widely believed to be the son of [[Vayu]] (Mukhyapraana). <ref name="mbtn">{{cite book|author=Vyasanakere Prabhanjanacharya|title=MahaBharata Tatparya Nirnaya, Chapter 3|url=https://anandatirtha.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/mbtn-chapter3.pdf|page=2}}</ref>
== In Ramayana ==

In one of the [[Puranas]], it is mentioned that [[Sugreeva]], the chief of The Vaanara army that helped Lord Rama (who was an incarnation of Vishnu) in [[Treta Yuga]] was the avatar of Vishvaksena.
== Literature ==
{{Vaishnavism}}
The [[Brihad Bhagavatamrita]] describes Vishvaksena in service to Vishnu at Vaikuntha:<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2020-11-05 |title=Verse 2.4.73 [Brihad-bhagavatamrita] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/brihad-bhagavatamrita-commentary/d/doc427309.html |access-date=2022-11-04 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>
{{Blockquote|text=Śeṣa, Suparṇa (Garuḍa), Viṣvaksena, and other principle attendants were standing in front of the Lord. With bowed heads and hands folded in devotion, they were glorifying the Lord with most wonderful prayers.|title=[[Brihad Bhagavatamrita]]}}
The ''[[Garga Samhita (Vaishnavite text)|Garga Samhita]]'' states that Vishvaksena guards the northern gate of Vaikuntha day and night.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2022-07-16 |title=Verse 6.21.7 [Garga Samhita] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/garga-samhita-english/d/doc1126821.html |access-date=2022-11-04 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

⚫
Vishvaksena does not appear in [[Vedas]] or the [[Dharma Shastra]] texts, but his worship is mentioned in Pancharatra and other [[Āgama (Hinduism)|Agama]] texts.<ref name="Nayar p. 103" /> Vishvaksena is believed to symbolize the sacred Agama scriptures.<ref name="Dalal p. 462" />

⚫
The twelve [[Alvars|Alvar saints]] of [[Sri Vaishnavism]] sect are considered as manifestations of Vishnu in some form, and the Alvar saint [[Nammalvar]] is considered as an [[avatar]] of Vishvaksena.<ref>Dalal p. 20, 270</ref> The poet Bhattar, in his ''Srirangaraja Stava,'' has ''taniyans,'' or verses, praising various [[acharya]]s (teachers). Vishvaksena also has a ''taniyan'' dedicated to him in the later part of the work, incorporating him in the list of the traditional Sri Vaishnava [[Guru-shishya tradition|guru parampara]] (succession of teachers and disciples) starting from Vishnu's consort [[Lakshmi]] (Sri) to Nammalvar. This indicates the influence of Pancharatra texts on [[Sri Vaishnavism]].<ref>Nayar pp. 95–96</ref>


==Legends==
==Legends==
[[File:Kankalamurti.jpg|thumb|upright|Shiva as ''Kankalamurti'', who defeated Vishvaksena.]]

In one myth, Vishvaksena, the son of [[Varuna]], prayed to [[Venkateswara|Venkateshvara]] at [[Tirumala]] in order to become blessed with the title of the commander of his forces.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Krishna |first=Nanditha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KnXXAAAAMAAJ&q=tirupati+vishvaksena |title=Balaji-Venkateshwara, Lord of Tirumala-Tirupati: An Introduction |date=2000 |publisher=Vakils, Feffer, and Simons |isbn=978-81-87111-46-7 |pages=26 |language=en}}</ref>

The ''[[Kurma Purana]]'' speaks of a visit of the god [[Shiva]] in the form of a cursed mendicant or beggar ([[Bhikshatana]], a form of [[Bhairava]]) to Vaikuntha. The Vaikuntha gate was guarded by Vishvaksena, who did not recognise Shiva and did not allow him to enter. Bhairava ordered his terrible attendant Kalavega to fight with Vishvaksena. However, Kalavega was defeated by Vishvaksena. As Vishvaksena charged towards Bhairava, Bhairava himself slew Vishvaksena with his [[trishula]] and impaled his corpse upon it. This form of Bhairava is known as ''Kankala'' or ''[[Kankalamurti]]'' ("One with the skeleton").<ref name="Kramrisch1992">{{cite book|author=Stella Kramrisch|title=The Presence of Śiva|year=1992|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-0-691-01930-7|pages=293–4, 297}}</ref><ref name="Dimmitt1978">{{cite book|author=Cornelia Dimmitt|title=Classical Hindu Mythology: A Reader in the Sanskrit Puranas|date=15 June 1978|publisher=Temple University Press|isbn=978-0-87722-122-7|page=208}}</ref>


==Worship==
==Worship==
Vishvaksena occupies an important place in the [[Vaikhanasa]] sect of [[Vaishnavism]], the sect dedicated to Vishnu. Any ritual or function begins with the worship of Vishvaksena. As the commander-in-chief of Vishnu's army, he is believed to protect the ritual or function from obstacles and evil.<ref name = "tirumala"/> This role is similar to that of [[Ganesha]], who generally is the first worshipped god in Hinduism, especially [[Shaiva]] (dedicated to the god [[Shiva]]) traditions.<ref name="Pattanaik2006">{{cite book|author=Devdutt Pattanaik|title=Shiva to Shankara: Decoding the Phallic Symbol|year=2006|publisher=Indus Source|isbn=978-81-88569-04-5|page=29}}</ref>
Vishvaksena occupies an important place in the [[Vaikhanasa]] sect of [[Vaishnavism]], a sect dedicated to Vishnu. Any ritual or function begins with the worship of Vishvaksena. As the commander-in-chief of Vishnu's army, he is believed to protect the ritual or function from obstacles and evil.<ref name = "tirumala"/> This role is similar to that of [[Ganesha]], who generally is the first worshipped god in [[Hinduism]], especially the [[Shaiva]] (dedicated to the god [[Shiva]]) tradition.<ref name="Pattanaik2006">{{cite book|author=Devdutt Pattanaik|title=Shiva to Shankara: Decoding the Phallic Symbol|year=2006|publisher=Indus Source|isbn=978-81-88569-04-5|page=29}}</ref>

In [[Sri Vaishnavism]], he is described as the "dispeller of difficulties" and the bearer of a moon-like shining complexion. [[Ramanuja]] remarks that the [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavas]] worship Vishvaksena in the place of [[Kartikeya]] and Ganesha.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ramakrishnananda |first=Swami |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FmdoEAAAQBAJ&dq=sri+vaishnavism+vishvaksena&pg=PT41 |title=Life of Sri Ramanuja |date=2022-04-07 |publisher=Sri Ramakrishna Math |language=en}}</ref>


In the ''taniyan'' (hymn), Bhattar invokes Vishvaksena as one who facilities the life of Vishnu and Lakshmi and controls all creations by gesture of his hands to cause ''[[Cit (consciousness)|chit]]'' (conscious) and ''achit''(not conscious) to execute their duty.<ref name="Nayar p. 103"/> In another hymn, Bhattar seeks happiness by appealing to Vishvaksena and his consort Sutravati.<ref>Nayar p. 104</ref>
In the ''taniyan'' (hymn), Bhattar invokes Vishvaksena as one who facilities the life of Vishnu and Lakshmi and controls all creations by gesture of his hands to cause ''[[Cit (consciousness)|chit]]'' (conscious) and ''achit'' (not conscious) to execute their duty.<ref name="Nayar p. 103"/> In another hymn, Bhattar seeks happiness by appealing to Vishvaksena and his consort Sutravati.<ref>Nayar p. 104</ref>


===Mantra and mudra===
===Mantra and mudra===
The ''[[Lakshmi Tantra]]'' prescribe the worship of Vishvaksena and mention his [[mantra]] ''om rhum vaum jnanadaya namah''.<ref name="Gupta p. 187">Gupta p. 187</ref> The devotee should mediate upon Vishvaksena in the north direction.<ref name="Gupta p. 187"/> Before making an offering of rice to Vishnu, Vishvaksena is prescribed to be worshipped with his [[mantra]], portion of the rice offering and oblations.<ref>Gupta pp. 263–4</ref> Apart from invoking Vishvaksena to the rites, he is also offered by the Chief Priest by reciting the ''anga mantras'' (''anga'' means: "body" and "mantra" is :hymns") with ''hasta mudras'' (hand gestures).<ref name="Gupta p. 187"/> Vishvaksena anga-mantras recited at the beginning of rites is as below.<ref name="Gupta p. 187"/>
The ''[[Lakshmi Tantra]]'' prescribe the worship of Vishvaksena and mention his [[mantra]] ''om rhum vaum jnanadaya namah''.<ref name="Gupta p. 187">Gupta p. 187</ref> The devotee should mediate upon Vishvaksena in the north direction.<ref name="Gupta p. 187"/> Before making an offering of rice to Vishnu, Vishvaksena is prescribed to be worshipped with his [[mantra]], portion of the rice offering and oblations.<ref>Gupta pp. 263–4</ref> Apart from invoking Vishvaksena to the rites, he is also offered by the Chief Priest by reciting the ''anga mantras'' (''anga'' means "body" and "mantra" is hymns") with ''hasta mudras'' (hand gestures).<ref name="Gupta p. 187"/> Vishvaksena anga-mantras recited at the beginning of rites is as below.<ref name="Gupta p. 187"/>


"''Om rhyram hrdayaya namaha (we salute your heart)<br>
"''Om rhyram hrdayaya namaha (we salute your heart)''<br>
Om rhyrim sirasa svaha (salutation to the head)<br>
''Om rhyrim sirasa svaha (salutation to the head)''<br>
Om rhrum sikhayai vausat (decorate the hairstyle)<br>
''Om rhrum sikhayai vausat (decorate the hairstyle)''<br>
Om rhraim havekcaya hum (decorate the hairstyle)<br>
''Om rhraim havekcaya hum (decorate the hairstyle)''<br>
Om rhraum netraya vausat (decorate the eyes)<br>
''Om rhraum netraya vausat (decorate the eyes)''<br>
Om hrah astray phat.(decorate with armaments)''"
''Om hrah astray phat.(decorate with armaments)''"


The [[mudra]] for Vishvaksena mantra, which will enable a person to be free of all human bondage, is the following form. Three fingers of the left hand including the little finger are folded into the left palm itself, the index finger is held backwards away from the thumb. On the right hand three fingers, as in the case of the left hand, are folded into the palm. Then the hand is placed on the side of the nostril. The index finger is then doubled and placed on top of the thumb. The right hand is then raised up to show the mudra of throwing a disc. With this [[mudra]], it is stated that a person can achieve freedom from the human bondage.<ref>Gupta p. 195</ref>
The [[mudra]] for Vishvaksena mantra, which will enable a person to be free of all human bondage, is the following form. Three fingers of the left hand including the little finger are folded into the left palm itself, the index finger is held backwards away from the thumb. On the right hand three fingers, as in the case of the left hand, are folded into the palm. Then the hand is placed on the side of the nostril. The index finger is then doubled and placed on top of the thumb. The right hand is then raised up to show the mudra of throwing a disc. With this [[mudra]], it is stated that a person can achieve freedom from the human bondage.<ref>Gupta p. 195</ref>


===Temple worship===
===Temple rituals===
At [[Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala|Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]] (which follows Vaikhanasa tradition), Vishvaksena is worshipped before any temple ritual. The temple for Vishvaksena is located at the northern side of the main temple, in the ''Mukkoti Pradakshinam'' ('Pradakshinam' means: clockwise [[circumambulation]]). Offerings of flowers and garlands (''nirmalya'') to the [[Tirumala Dhruva Bera|central icon]] of [[Venkateswara]] (an aspect of Vishnu) are removed from it and then offered to the Vishvaksena icon. The temple festival [[Brahmotsavam]] commences with the worship of Vishvaksena and his bronze icon is taken in procession around the temple precincts. Vishvaksena is believed to arrange for the festival and ensure that it goes on smoothly.<ref name="tirumala">{{Cite web|url=http://www.tirumala.org/maintemple_tour_vishwaksena.htm|title=Sri Vishwaksena Temple|access-date=1 January 2013|publisher=Official website of Turumala Tirupati Devastahanams. Org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224144130/http://tirumala.org/maintemple_tour_vishwaksena.htm|archive-date=24 December 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
At [[Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala|Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]] (which follows Vaikhanasa tradition), Vishvaksena is worshipped before any temple ritual. The temple for Vishvaksena is located at the northern side of the main temple, in the ''Mukkoti Pradakshinam'' ('Pradakshinam' means: clockwise [[circumambulation]]). Offerings of flowers and garlands (''nirmalya'') to the [[Tirumala Dhruva Bera|central icon]] of [[Venkateswara]] (an aspect of Vishnu) are removed from it and then offered to the Vishvaksena icon. The temple festival [[Brahmotsavam]] commences with the worship of Vishvaksena and his bronze icon is taken in procession around the temple precincts. Vishvaksena is believed to arrange for the festival and ensure that it goes on smoothly.<ref name="tirumala">{{Cite web|url=http://www.tirumala.org/maintemple_tour_vishwaksena.htm|title=Sri Vishwaksena Temple|access-date=1 January 2013|publisher=Official website of Turumala Tirupati Devastahanams. Org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224144130/http://tirumala.org/maintemple_tour_vishwaksena.htm|archive-date=24 December 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


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The [[Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam|Srirangam temple]], dedicated to [[Ranganatha]] (an aspect of Vishnu), also celebrates similar festivals where Vishvaksena plays a role in the temple festivals. On the first day of the festival, images of Vishvaksena and [[Hanuman]] are paraded to the shrine of [[Ranganayaki]], the presiding consort goddess of the temple. Soil from a holy [[Aegle marmelos|bael]] tree and from the banks of the [[Kaveri]] river are brought by priests, as though collected by the deities and seeds are sown in this soil as part of the ''Ankurarpanam'' (sprouting the seeds) ritual. Then as part of the ''Nagarasodani'', Vishvaksena is paraded again as though inspecting the streets before the commencement of the main procession of the central deity of the temple.<ref name="MuseumDallapiccola2010">{{cite book|author1=British Museum|author2=Anna Libera Dallapiccola|title=South Indian Paintings: A Catalogue of the British Museum Collection|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FIzWapiacQcC&pg=PA27|access-date=1 January 2013|date=22 June 2010|publisher=Mapin Publishing Pvt Ltd|isbn=978-0-7141-2424-7|page=27}}</ref>
The [[Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam|Srirangam temple]], dedicated to [[Ranganatha]] (an aspect of Vishnu), also celebrates similar festivals where Vishvaksena plays a role in the temple festivals. On the first day of the festival, images of Vishvaksena and [[Hanuman]] are paraded to the shrine of [[Ranganayaki]], the presiding consort goddess of the temple. Soil from a holy [[Aegle marmelos|bael]] tree and from the banks of the [[Kaveri]] river are brought by priests, as though collected by the deities and seeds are sown in this soil as part of the ''Ankurarpanam'' (sprouting the seeds) ritual. Then as part of the ''Nagarasodani'', Vishvaksena is paraded again as though inspecting the streets before the commencement of the main procession of the central deity of the temple.<ref name="MuseumDallapiccola2010">{{cite book|author1=British Museum|author2=Anna Libera Dallapiccola|title=South Indian Paintings: A Catalogue of the British Museum Collection|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FIzWapiacQcC&pg=PA27|access-date=1 January 2013|date=22 June 2010|publisher=Mapin Publishing Pvt Ltd|isbn=978-0-7141-2424-7|page=27}}</ref>


The temple festival Brahmotsavam of [[Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram|Varadharaja Perumal Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]] also begins with worship and procession of the god on the day before the main days of Brahmostavam, which is known as ''Sena Mudaliar''.<ref name="Raman2003">{{cite book|author=K.V. Raman|title=Sri Varadarajaswami Temple, Kanchi: A Study of Its History, Art and Architecture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=myK8ZYEIu4YC&pg=PA202|access-date=1 January 2013|date=1 June 2003|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-026-6|page=202}}</ref>
The temple festival Brahmotsavam of [[Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram|Varadharaja Perumal Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]] also begins with worship and procession of the god on the day before the main days of [[Srivari Brahmotsavam|Brahmostavam]], which is known as ''Sena Mudaliar''.<ref name="Raman2003">{{cite book|author=K.V. Raman|title=Sri Varadarajaswami Temple, Kanchi: A Study of Its History, Art and Architecture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=myK8ZYEIu4YC&pg=PA202|access-date=1 January 2013|date=1 June 2003|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-026-6|page=202}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 11:40, 7 December 2024

Not to be confused with Vishwak Sen.
Vishvaksena
Commander of Vishnu's Armies[1]
Vishvaksena, depicted as a dvarapala (gatekeeper) at Srirangam
Other namesSenai Mudalavar, Senathipati
Venerated inVaishnavism
AbodeVaikuntha
Genealogy
SpouseSutravati[2]

Vishvaksena (Sanskrit: विष्वक्सेन, romanized: Viṣvaksenā, lit. 'all-conqueror')[3] or Vishwaksena, is the commander-in-chief of the army of the Hindu deity Vishnu,[4] additionally serving as a gatekeeper and chamberlain of his celestial abode of Vaikuntha.[5][6] As the embodiment of the tantras,[7] Vishvaksena is worshipped before any ritual or function in the Vaikhanasas and Sri Vaishnavism sects. He occupies an important place in Vaikhanasa and Pancaratra temple traditions, where temple festivals often begin with his worship and procession.[8]

Iconography and associations

[edit]

धर्मः स्वनुष्ठितः पुंसां विष्वक्सेनकथासु यः । नोत्पादयेद्यदि रतिं श्रम एव हि केवलम् ॥८॥

— Vyasa, Srimad Bhagavatam, Book I, Chapter II

Vishva is the universe or entire creation and Sena is Army. As Lord has his army in every nook and corner of the universe, he is Vishvaksena.[9]

The Kurma Purana describes Vishvaksena to have born out of a portion of Vishnu, carrying a conch (shankha), Sudarshana Chakra (discus) and gada (mace) and wearing yellow clothes like his master.[10] The Kalika Purana describes him as an attendant of Vishnu, who has four arms, and is red and brown in complexion. He seats on a white lotus, has long beard and wears matted hair. He carries a lotus, gada, shanka, and chakra in his hands.[11][12]

The Pancharatra text Lakshmi Tantra mentions Vishvaksena as four-armed and holding a shankha and a lotus.[13] In another instance, he is said to carry a sword and a club, wear yellow clothes and have tawny eyes, beard and eyebrows, and four teeth.[14] In a hymn, the remark is that Vishvaksena carries all attributes of Vishnu, including the srivatsa mark and his weapons.[15] The Vishvaksena icon of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple has four hands and carries a conch (shankha) Sudarshana chakra (discus) in his upper hands and his lower hands are on thigh (Gada hasta) and in Avgana hasta.[5]

In the Madhva sect of Vaishnavism, Vishvaksena is widely believed to be the son of Vayu (Mukhyapraana). [16]

Literature

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Part of a series on
Vaishnavism
Closeup of Vishnu, seated in the lotus position on a lotus. From depiction of the poet Jayadeva bowing to Vishnu, Gouache on paper Pahari, The very picture of devotion, bare-bodied, head bowed, legs crossed and hands folded, Jayadeva stands at left, with the implements of worship placed before the lotus-seat of Vishnu who sits there, blessing the poet.
Supreme deity
Vishnu / Krishna / Rama
Important deities
Dashavatara
Other forms
Consorts
Related
Holy scriptures
Puranas
Sampradayas
Others
Teachers—acharyas
Related traditions

The Brihad Bhagavatamrita describes Vishvaksena in service to Vishnu at Vaikuntha:[17]

Śeṣa, Suparṇa (Garuḍa), Viṣvaksena, and other principle attendants were standing in front of the Lord. With bowed heads and hands folded in devotion, they were glorifying the Lord with most wonderful prayers.

— Brihad Bhagavatamrita

The Garga Samhita states that Vishvaksena guards the northern gate of Vaikuntha day and night.[18]

Vishvaksena does not appear in Vedas or the Dharma Shastra texts, but his worship is mentioned in Pancharatra and other Agama texts.[3] Vishvaksena is believed to symbolize the sacred Agama scriptures.[12]

The twelve Alvar saints of Sri Vaishnavism sect are considered as manifestations of Vishnu in some form, and the Alvar saint Nammalvar is considered as an avatar of Vishvaksena.[19] The poet Bhattar, in his Srirangaraja Stava, has taniyans, or verses, praising various acharyas (teachers). Vishvaksena also has a taniyan dedicated to him in the later part of the work, incorporating him in the list of the traditional Sri Vaishnava guru parampara (succession of teachers and disciples) starting from Vishnu's consort Lakshmi (Sri) to Nammalvar. This indicates the influence of Pancharatra texts on Sri Vaishnavism.[20]

Legends

[edit]
Shiva as Kankalamurti, who defeated Vishvaksena.

In one myth, Vishvaksena, the son of Varuna, prayed to Venkateshvara at Tirumala in order to become blessed with the title of the commander of his forces.[21]

The Kurma Purana speaks of a visit of the god Shiva in the form of a cursed mendicant or beggar (Bhikshatana, a form of Bhairava) to Vaikuntha. The Vaikuntha gate was guarded by Vishvaksena, who did not recognise Shiva and did not allow him to enter. Bhairava ordered his terrible attendant Kalavega to fight with Vishvaksena. However, Kalavega was defeated by Vishvaksena. As Vishvaksena charged towards Bhairava, Bhairava himself slew Vishvaksena with his trishula and impaled his corpse upon it. This form of Bhairava is known as Kankala or Kankalamurti ("One with the skeleton").[22][10]

Worship

[edit]

Vishvaksena occupies an important place in the Vaikhanasa sect of Vaishnavism, a sect dedicated to Vishnu. Any ritual or function begins with the worship of Vishvaksena. As the commander-in-chief of Vishnu's army, he is believed to protect the ritual or function from obstacles and evil.[5] This role is similar to that of Ganesha, who generally is the first worshipped god in Hinduism, especially the Shaiva (dedicated to the god Shiva) tradition.[23]

In Sri Vaishnavism, he is described as the "dispeller of difficulties" and the bearer of a moon-like shining complexion. Ramanuja remarks that the Vaishnavas worship Vishvaksena in the place of Kartikeya and Ganesha.[24]

In the taniyan (hymn), Bhattar invokes Vishvaksena as one who facilities the life of Vishnu and Lakshmi and controls all creations by gesture of his hands to cause chit (conscious) and achit (not conscious) to execute their duty.[3] In another hymn, Bhattar seeks happiness by appealing to Vishvaksena and his consort Sutravati.[25]

Mantra and mudra

[edit]

The Lakshmi Tantra prescribe the worship of Vishvaksena and mention his mantra om rhum vaum jnanadaya namah.[26] The devotee should mediate upon Vishvaksena in the north direction.[26] Before making an offering of rice to Vishnu, Vishvaksena is prescribed to be worshipped with his mantra, portion of the rice offering and oblations.[27] Apart from invoking Vishvaksena to the rites, he is also offered by the Chief Priest by reciting the anga mantras (anga means "body" and "mantra" is hymns") with hasta mudras (hand gestures).[26] Vishvaksena anga-mantras recited at the beginning of rites is as below.[26]

"Om rhyram hrdayaya namaha (we salute your heart)
Om rhyrim sirasa svaha (salutation to the head)
Om rhrum sikhayai vausat (decorate the hairstyle)
Om rhraim havekcaya hum (decorate the hairstyle)
Om rhraum netraya vausat (decorate the eyes)
Om hrah astray phat.(decorate with armaments)"

The mudra for Vishvaksena mantra, which will enable a person to be free of all human bondage, is the following form. Three fingers of the left hand including the little finger are folded into the left palm itself, the index finger is held backwards away from the thumb. On the right hand three fingers, as in the case of the left hand, are folded into the palm. Then the hand is placed on the side of the nostril. The index finger is then doubled and placed on top of the thumb. The right hand is then raised up to show the mudra of throwing a disc. With this mudra, it is stated that a person can achieve freedom from the human bondage.[28]

Temple rituals

[edit]

At Tirumala Venkateswara Temple (which follows Vaikhanasa tradition), Vishvaksena is worshipped before any temple ritual. The temple for Vishvaksena is located at the northern side of the main temple, in the Mukkoti Pradakshinam ('Pradakshinam' means: clockwise circumambulation). Offerings of flowers and garlands (nirmalya) to the central icon of Venkateswara (an aspect of Vishnu) are removed from it and then offered to the Vishvaksena icon. The temple festival Brahmotsavam commences with the worship of Vishvaksena and his bronze icon is taken in procession around the temple precincts. Vishvaksena is believed to arrange for the festival and ensure that it goes on smoothly.[5]

The ritual of offering of remnants of puja offerings to the central or festival icon of Vishnu to Vishvaksena, before closing of the temple doors, is embedded in Pancharatra tradition. The poet Kuresha remarks that Vishvaksena sustains on the remnants of his master's food, which is a sign of approval of his master.[29]

The Srirangam temple, dedicated to Ranganatha (an aspect of Vishnu), also celebrates similar festivals where Vishvaksena plays a role in the temple festivals. On the first day of the festival, images of Vishvaksena and Hanuman are paraded to the shrine of Ranganayaki, the presiding consort goddess of the temple. Soil from a holy bael tree and from the banks of the Kaveri river are brought by priests, as though collected by the deities and seeds are sown in this soil as part of the Ankurarpanam (sprouting the seeds) ritual. Then as part of the Nagarasodani, Vishvaksena is paraded again as though inspecting the streets before the commencement of the main procession of the central deity of the temple.[30]

The temple festival Brahmotsavam of Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram also begins with worship and procession of the god on the day before the main days of Brahmostavam, which is known as Sena Mudaliar.[31]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Life of Sri Ramanuja. Sri Ramakrishna Math. 7 April 2022.
  2. ^ Sri Vishnu Sahasranama: With the Bhashya of Sri Parasara Bhattar : With Translation in English. Sri Visishtadvaita Pracharini Sabha. 1983.
  3. ^ a b c Nayar p. 103
  4. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2015-08-27). "Vishvaksena, Viṣvaksenā, Visvaksena, Viṣvaksena, Vishvac-sena, Vishvakshena: 17 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  5. ^ a b c d "Sri Vishwaksena Temple". Official website of Turumala Tirupati Devastahanams. Org. Archived from the original on 24 December 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  6. ^ Nayar p. 96
  7. ^ The Bhagavata Purana 3. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. 2019-01-21. ISBN 978-93-5305-380-2.
  8. ^ Pattanaik, Devdutt (2015-01-27). 99 Thoughts on Ganesha. Jaico Publishing House. p. 67. ISBN 978-81-8495-152-3.
  9. ^ A Prose English Translation of Srimadbhagavatam. M.N. Dutt. 1896.
  10. ^ a b Cornelia Dimmitt (15 June 1978). Classical Hindu Mythology: A Reader in the Sanskrit Puranas. Temple University Press. p. 208. ISBN 978-0-87722-122-7.
  11. ^ Biswanarayan Shastri; Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (1 January 1994). Kālikāpurāṇe Mūrtivinirdeśaḥ7. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 107. ISBN 978-81-208-1124-9.
  12. ^ a b Dalal p. 462
  13. ^ Gupta p. 246
  14. ^ Gupta pp. 263
  15. ^ Gupta p. 90
  16. ^ Vyasanakere Prabhanjanacharya. MahaBharata Tatparya Nirnaya, Chapter 3 (PDF). p. 2.
  17. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2020-11-05). "Verse 2.4.73 [Brihad-bhagavatamrita]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  18. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2022-07-16). "Verse 6.21.7 [Garga Samhita]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  19. ^ Dalal p. 20, 270
  20. ^ Nayar pp. 95–96
  21. ^ Krishna, Nanditha (2000). Balaji-Venkateshwara, Lord of Tirumala-Tirupati: An Introduction. Vakils, Feffer, and Simons. p. 26. ISBN 978-81-87111-46-7.
  22. ^ Stella Kramrisch (1992). The Presence of Śiva. Princeton University Press. pp. 293–4, 297. ISBN 978-0-691-01930-7.
  23. ^ Devdutt Pattanaik (2006). Shiva to Shankara: Decoding the Phallic Symbol. Indus Source. p. 29. ISBN 978-81-88569-04-5.
  24. ^ Ramakrishnananda, Swami (2022-04-07). Life of Sri Ramanuja. Sri Ramakrishna Math.
  25. ^ Nayar p. 104
  26. ^ a b c d Gupta p. 187
  27. ^ Gupta pp. 263–4
  28. ^ Gupta p. 195
  29. ^ Nayar p. 145
  30. ^ British Museum; Anna Libera Dallapiccola (22 June 2010). South Indian Paintings: A Catalogue of the British Museum Collection. Mapin Publishing Pvt Ltd. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-7141-2424-7. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  31. ^ K.V. Raman (1 June 2003). Sri Varadarajaswami Temple, Kanchi: A Study of Its History, Art and Architecture. Abhinav Publications. p. 202. ISBN 978-81-7017-026-6. Retrieved 1 January 2013.

Bibliography

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