The Progression and Development of Vishnu throughout History
In the Hindu Religion Vishnu is arguably the most important god amongst all other gods. Together with Shiva and Brahma, Vishnu makes up the Hindu holy trinity which is known as the Trimurti. “Trimurti” translates to “three forms” in English. These three gods make up what is known to conform to God’s duties of “creation, sustenance and destruction.” Importantly, Vishnu is considered to be the one who maintains balance in the Universe while Brahma is the creator of the universe and Shiva is the destroyer of the universe. (Encyclopedia Mythica) The first of the Trimurti, Brahma, is portrayed with four heads and often holds a scroll of Holy Scripture. The second, Vishnu, is typically portrayed with four spread arms, each holding one item. The four items Vishnu carries are a conch shell, discus, lotus and a large mace. The mace is known as the “Kaumodaki gada”, the lotus is a “Padma” and the conch is known as …show more content…
Known as “Sri Vaishnavism”, this school of Hinduism is dedicated to the worship and praise of Vishnu. In this practice, Vishnu is considered once again the most powerful being and particularly considered to be the source of all avatars. (Adluri, pg. 280) Not only has the progression of the deity Vishnu supplemented Hinduism and the Sri Vaishnavism, but the progression of Vishnu has also affected the world of philosophy. A Hindu theologian named Ramanuja was the earliest Vedic philosophy who acknowledges Vishnu as a personal god. (Ramakrishna p. 34) One of Ramanuja’s more memorable descriptions of Vishnu is the understanding he brings to the personal level of relationship that is maintained with Vishnu. This is important to the progression of religion in the world considering not all major deities were ever on a personal or relatable level of those who worshiped
In the Hindu Religion Vishnu is arguably the most important god amongst all other gods. Together with Shiva and Brahma, Vishnu makes up the Hindu holy trinity which is known as the Trimurti. “Trimurti” translates to “three forms” in English. These three gods make up what is known to conform to God’s duties of “creation, sustenance and destruction.” Importantly, Vishnu is considered to be the one who maintains balance in the Universe while Brahma is the creator of the universe and Shiva is the destroyer of the universe. (Encyclopedia Mythica) The first of the Trimurti, Brahma, is portrayed with four heads and often holds a scroll of Holy Scripture. The second, Vishnu, is typically portrayed with four spread arms, each holding one item. The four items Vishnu carries are a conch shell, discus, lotus and a large mace. The mace is known as the “Kaumodaki gada”, the lotus is a “Padma” and the conch is known as …show more content…
Known as “Sri Vaishnavism”, this school of Hinduism is dedicated to the worship and praise of Vishnu. In this practice, Vishnu is considered once again the most powerful being and particularly considered to be the source of all avatars. (Adluri, pg. 280) Not only has the progression of the deity Vishnu supplemented Hinduism and the Sri Vaishnavism, but the progression of Vishnu has also affected the world of philosophy. A Hindu theologian named Ramanuja was the earliest Vedic philosophy who acknowledges Vishnu as a personal god. (Ramakrishna p. 34) One of Ramanuja’s more memorable descriptions of Vishnu is the understanding he brings to the personal level of relationship that is maintained with Vishnu. This is important to the progression of religion in the world considering not all major deities were ever on a personal or relatable level of those who worshiped