Mahavishnu
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In Hinduism, Mahavishnu (Devanāgarī: महाविष्णु) is an aspect of Vishnu, the Absolute which is beyond human comprehension and is beyond all attributes. In Vaishnavite theology, the term is similar to Brahman and Almighty Absolute Supreme Personality of Godhead. More precisely speaking, this means that Absolute truth is realized as Brahman (first - impersonal) then as Paramatma and then as Bhagavan. Then goes bhakti to Bhagavan, Krishna (Vishnu, Narayana). So bhakti surpasses even yoga which is aimed on Supersoul, Paramatma. Mahavishnu is Supersoul of all living beings (jivaatmas) in all material universes. It is also often used interchangeably with Vishnu to indicate reverence, as the prefix "Mahā" exalts the noun to which it is attached.
Mahavishnu is said to lie in the causal ocean or the Karanodak. He simply glances on Mahāmāyā and therefore puts in her the seed of this material universe. Mahāmāyā remains the ever obedient material energy of the Supreme Lord. All the natural elements like sky, fire, water, air and ether are created and also along with that are created mind, intelligence and false ego.
After this Mahavishnu enters each of the many universes so created (seeds emerging from the pores of His skin). He it is then said that Garbhodaksayi Vishnu lays down thus in each and every of these individual material universes (Brahmandas). It can be understood that Garbodakshayi Vishnu is the collective of all souls in a particular material universe and Mahavishnu is the collective of all souls in all of the material universes.
From the Garbodakshayi Vishnu, then emerges Brahmā who is the secondary creator (because first he had to meditate to create - he meditated on Supersoul in his heart - only then he could create planets in material universe. So that is why he is called secondary creator) of the planetary systems within particularly this material universe (Brahmanda).
Maha-Vishnu is an expansion of Sankarshana.
See also
References
External links
- Vishnu, the form of the quality of goodness (srimadbhagavatam.com)
- Thousand names of the Supreme (Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram)
- Mahavishnu as the god in Old Testament
- Brief knowledge on Mahavishnu, Maya, Atman, Brahmanda
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1 The list of the "ten avatars" varies regionally. Two substitutions[clarification needed] involve Balarama, Krishna, and Buddha. Krishna is almost always included; in exceptions, he is considered the source of all avatars. | ||
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