Mystic Secrets of Vishnu

By Fingerprint Publishing

Discover the timeless wisdom of Vishnu, one of Hinduism's most revered deities and the ultimate protector and preserver of life. Learn how Vishnu's divine cosmic presence can impact your daily life. With teachings on karma, dharma, liberation, and his many incarnations, this comprehensive book offers practical tools and insights to help you navigate the complexities of existence. Whether you're a spiritual seeker or simply curious about the ancient wisdom of the East, Vishnu's teachings will inspire you to lead a purposeful and fulfilling life, in harmony with the divine. • Provides an in-depth exploration of the mystical aspects of Vishnu and his many avatars. • Help readers deepen their understanding of Hindu spirituality. • Provides a fresh take on ancient teachings. • Offers practical applications of these spiritual teachings. • Written in accessible language, making it an ideal resource for readers who may be new to the subject matter.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fingerprint Publishing
• Release date: Jun 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9789358562675

Book preview

CHAPTER-1

Vishnu Exists

within Each Atom

Vishnu is the life-breath of existence. He is the supreme one, the ultimate reality. The power of Vishnu is present within each atom of existence, and is the latent intelligence within all of existence, including within our deepest selves (existing as our very soul).

In the Vishnu Sahasranama (the thousand mystic names of Vishnu—as narrated by Bheeshma to Yudhisthira in India’s great epic, the Mahabharat), Vishnu is called by various names. These names indicate God’s myriad and infinite dimensions, tell us about his secret mystic powers, and explain his existence within each particle of existence:

Vishvatma (the cosmic soul)

Paramatma (the supreme soul)

Svayambhu (self-created, self-existent, self-born, and uncaused)

Vishvam (the entirety of cosmic existence)

Vishvaretah (the seed of all things)

Dhaata (the support of the universe)

Mahaan (the great one)

Vishvayonih (the source of the cosmos)

Vardamanah (who multiplies into myriad forms within the cosmos)

Purusha (the supreme)

Samiranah (existing as the form of breath or life-force within all beings)

Bhaavah (pure existence itself)

Bhutatma (the mystical essence of all things)

BhutaBhaavanah (the originator and evolver of the cosmic elements)

Modern science and cosmology are increasingly getting closer to the idea of a consciousness behind manifest universal energy and cosmic matter. Through quantum physics, we are beginning to understand that it’s not matter that constitutes fundamental reality, but rather a vibration or force-field (that is invisible, mysterious) that holds the structure of atoms (and all of existence) together. Vishnu is explained as that divine vibration, the supreme consciousness behind all things.

The stories of Vishnu indicate, through deeply symbolic and secretive knowledge, the presence of the unknown or unexplainable (which we may call ‘God’) hidden in the deepest layers of ‘reality’.

Cosmology and quantum physics indicate what the ancient Vishnu-related sacred literature indicates: the presence of a mysterious and invisible force field within the emptiness that exists within the atom itself, and within the vastness of space-time! The mystic idea is that trillions of universes are born and dissolved, with Vishnu as the source of all these myriad creations as part of his expansion (in his forms of Padmanaabah, MahaVishnu, and Garbhodakshayi Vishnu).

CHAPTER-2

Vishnu as Cosmic

Consciousness

Vishnu manifests as cosmic consciousness. He inspires us through divine inspiration (prerna) to make our own consciousness (chetana) realize its oneness with his own divine and infinite (ananta) brilliance, bliss (ananda), and enlightenment! Vishnu is both formless (as pure existence itself—the soul of all things), and with multiple forms.

Vishnu manifests in the way we devote ourselves to realizing him, and teaches us as the cosmic Gurutamah: the ultimate and divine guru or teacher of all knowledge. He is said to be the very embodiment of divine knowledge itself, embodying the essence of the Vedas (he is called Vedah: the transcendental form of the Vedas).

In the shastras (the sacred scriptures), the greatest secret on how to realize Vishnu and become filled with Vishnu-consciousness is shared. It is this: we are to continuously remember and focus on his names. The great mystic Adi Shankaracharya attests to this in his sacred hymn, ‘Bhaj Govindam’ (‘Sing the name of the Lord’). Sri Chaitanya’s whole path of Gaudiya Vaishnavism is based on remembrance of the Lord’s names.

In the Vishnu Sahasranama (mentioned in the previous chapter), each name of Vishnu is a secret key to realizing the dimensions of cosmic and divine reality. Each name opens a doorway and helps us decipher the cosmic and universal truth of existence.

In Vaishnavism, divine-name-remembrance is said to be the most direct way to access the mystic power of Vishnu—particularly in the present age of Kali Yuga. This idea of japa or holy repetition of the Lord’s name has been prescribed by Krishna and Sri Chaitanya also. It is as the great composer of the Mahabharat, Rishi (sage) Vyasa says: ‘Let us occupy ourselves in the remembrance of his names, for that pleases Vishnu. He is the source, the divine vibration, God realized through mantra.’

Vishnu can be realized through any mantra or sacred incantation of his name. He can be realized through ideation on any form of his, including those of Krishna, Ram, or Narasimha. The great Lord Shiva tells Goddess Parvati about the power of remembering God’s name: ‘Om Ram Naam Ram!’

Ultimately, Vishnu is both the experience and the experienced. In Vaishnavism (the mystic path to Vishnu) it is said: ‘The mind and senses, the life-force and the intellect are all composed of Vishnu, who is Narayan or Vasudeva. He is both the field and the knower of the field!’ He is the supreme lord or Parameshwar and the Pradhan: the ground of cosmic causation.

CHAPTER-3

The Divine Sustainer

and Pervader

Vishnu is considered the sustainer of the universe in Sanatan Dharma: the Vedic religion, the religion of the Rishis, which we commonly call Hinduism. He is called the divine pervader (‘Vishnu’ itself means the one who pervades all things), one who is present in and supports every molecule of existence. He is called the supreme-most one, the Bhagwan or Ishwara who takes manifold forms or avatars to teach beings throughout the universe lessons in spiritual liberation. In the Vishnu Sahasranama, he is called Mukundah (the granter of spiritual liberation or mukti).

All we essentially need to do is ideate on the sacred presence of Vishnu within all things and within our being. We must become both devotional and meditational in our attitude. The greatness of Vishnu’s presence then gets accelerated in our own lives, and helps us become truly successful in all our aims.

Describing the glories of Vishnu, and the path to Vishnu-consciouness, the great Bheeshma tells Prince Yudhisthira in the Mahabharat:

‘Praising Vishnu, the Lord of existence, the being transcends. He is the God of Gods, the supreme reality and personality of Godhead! Meditating on him, worshipping him, bowing down to him with devotion, all beings attain liberation. He is immortal, the Lord of all, the supreme ruler, who takes us beyond all sorrow. He is the divine origin, the great Being, the great light of existence, the absolute reality (Brahman). Vishnu is the greatest aim and goal, the infinite and endless parent of existence. He is the holiest amongst the holy, from whom all beings come and are absorbed back into at the end of ages. Being devoted to the lotus-eyed Vishnu is the highest dharma.’

CHAPTER-4

The Mystic

Role of Vishnu

Vishnu is the one we call upon during turmoil,