In hinduism, symbols are very important attributes of a God. It conveys many things, only if you think as logical at sometimes, illogical at other times and divine truths as others. A seeker will try to build on these experiences and understandings. A mice as a vehicle for Ganesha depicts humongous will, effort and intelligence is needed from midget seeker. Many crumble at the weight of it. So we all pray to Ganesha before we start any work in our life to provide all the attributes of him. On earth elephant possess all of these.
Sudhrshana chakram: This is the most dangerous weapon that Vishnu possess. He has lot of patience, when a human sins exceeds certain level and arrogance, Chakram will be released to behead. Many believe that it is a like a drone today, which Vishnu can operate with mind. That was the scientific advancement of hindus and their Gods in Vedic era is the belief. The actual meaning is cuts your ignorance, repents your sins and enlighten you about God.
Shankham: Krishna blows the pancha janyam whenever ready for war. This symbol represents the declare war on materialistic life and make the heart pure with a divine cry to reach to vishnu. Our heart is of this shape.
Gadha or Mace: If you observe fruits, flowers the fructification resembles the shape of Gadha. Geometrically best design as a weapon, helicopter, dragon fly and also trees holding the fruits.All our efforts must lead to fructification. Vishnu uses this weapon to smash our internal enemies and help us to realize him.
Lotus flower: This is the electromagnetic effect in creation. We see many gods born and sitting in lotus. This is fundamental concepts of creation.
There are deeper meaning to these symbols. As we progress, we will realize them what they are!!!
Lotus feet of God
namaḥ paṅkaja-nābhāya
namaḥ paṅkaja-māline
namaḥ paṅkaja-netrāya
namas te paṅkajāṅghraye
My respectful obeisances are unto You, O Lord, whose abdomen is marked with a depression like a lotus flower, who are always decorated with garlands of lotus flowers, whose glance is as cool as the lotus, and whose feet are engraved with lotuses.
The lotus feet means the light and sound of the divine, which emanate through the higher planes to manifest here on Earth, perceivable through mystical experiences. Devotion to the light and sound is often defined simply as devotion to the lotus feet, sometimes said to be spiritual wisdom itself, or pure consciousness. God's lotus feet are the support of the soul
Lotus feet manifest in the mind through regular spiritual practice, when man's consciousness is concentrated through devotional exercises and disciplines. Some of these include repetition of holy names.
padā śarat-padma-palāśa-rociṣā
nakha-dyubhir no ’ntar-aghaṁ vidhunvatā
pradarśaya svīyam apāsta-sādhvasaṁ
padaṁ guro mārga-gurus tamo-juṣām
"Vishnu, Your two lotus feet are so beautiful that they appear like two blossoming petals of the lotus flower which grows during the autumn season. Indeed, the nails of Your lotus feet emanate such a great effulgence that they immediately dissipate all the darkness in the heart of a conditioned soul. Vishnu, kindly show me that form of Yours which always dissipates all kinds of darkness in the heart of a devotee. Swamy, You are the supreme spiritual master of everyone; therefore all conditioned souls covered with the darkness of ignorance can be enlightened by You as the spiritual master."
The Symbolic meaning of “Touching the lotus feet of God or Vishnu” has profound meaning. As i was explaining about vedas and rituals, the symbols represents profound deepest Transcendental knowledge and sanathana Dharma secrets. Many hindus completely lost the actual meanings they represent and interpret them in wrong way and started propagating falsified information.
Satagopam
We live on earth and also we live inside cosmos or universe. Imagine, this entire universe is a big ball and all the creation is inside. This cosmos is filled with Krishna or Dark Energy and with Conscient and Inconscient energy or power, but Supreme Knowledge is withdrawn. Vishnu is reflected at many levels like Ghanhodhaka, Ksheera Sagara and Om Universe Vishnu. Maha Vishnu exists beyond our universe and created 108 Trillion Universes.
Remember many humans can’t understand the real meaning of a lotus. We just think it is a beautiful flower. The electromagnetic and infinity effect creates the lotus shape for creation. We are the creation inside this lotus. Imagine we are inside a ball which is like lotus. Maha Vihsnu lives beyond this OM Universe. For him it is one of the balls of creation.
Vedas says Maha Vishnu’s Feet are touching the top of the OM Universe. Scientifically it means, Vishnu feet is touching the time and space of our Universe. We from inside looking up, it is above our head and symbolically touching our head. So when we go to temple the priest puts Satagopam on our head symbolizing one day god bless you with wisdom to touch the “Lotus Feet of Vishnu”.
Vedas says that in your spiritual Transcendental journey as you keep progressing, first you will touch the “Lotus Feet of God”. Then we slowly see and comprehend the bigger form of swamy. When Venkatesa statue is carved, the feet rests on the bloomed lotus.
Concept of Hundi
Venkata is very poor because he married lakshmi by taking loam from kubera. The loan must be repaid, but how? Hundi. There is a reason why we need to put money in the hundi. The story says even all the money that was received as donations are not good enough for interest on the loan. Gods also doing banking business. These donations should be for greater use to maintain the temple and good to humanity. There is corruption and mismanagement, but still good is prevailing. By putting more money or donations to temple, bhakthas believe that they did punyam and direct connection to Vishnu.
God will not provide moksham because you donated lot of money, fed poor and financially helped someone. If that is the case, every rich person in this world should have direct connection to Vishnu and Vaikuntam. Money and Influence can get quicker, better and closer dharshan in Tirumala but Vishnu calculations are different. We dont know his criteria.
Our transcending depends upon bhakthi, karma, punyama and paapam as per Hinduism. If you do more punyam, you go to heaven, if not to hell. The Hundi concept was developed to covey that you deposit all your acquired punyam into Vishnu Hundi and keep all Paapams with you, to remind you all the time that you area sinner. To get rid off them you need to earn more punyam. When you die, if you have more punyam in Vishnu Hundi you reach his Lotus Feet.
How do you know what is punyam and Paapam? You decide which is punyam and paapam. Based on your conscience you know how much Punyam is in your Hundi? Vishnu will decide the punyam deposits you made is really punyam or not. The concepts are propagated to keep the people focused on divinity.
As a seeker my Vishnu Hundi is empty.
Prasadam
Bhagavath Geetha Chapter 9 verse 26
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति |
तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मन: || 26||
patraṁ puṣhpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayachchhati
tadahaṁ bhaktyupahṛitam aśhnāmi prayatātmanaḥ
If one offers to Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or even water, I delightfully partake of that article offered with love by My devotee in pure consciousness.
Shree Krishna reveals the merciful divine nature of God. He is not concerned with the material value of our offering. Rather, He values, above everything else, the love with which we make the offering.
Hari Bhakti Vilas states:
tulasī-dala-mātreṇa jalasya chulukena cha vikrīṇīte svam ātmānaṁ bhaktebhyo bhakta-vatsalaḥ
“If you offer God with sincere love, just a Tulsī leaf and as much water as you can hold in your palm, He will offer Himself to you in return because He is endeared by love.”
In most of the religions, before we eat, we offer it to god and thank him for providing food. If you observe nature, except humans, all eats what nature gives. God made sure that beings are provided food on earth. After offerings, we believe God accepted it and rest is prasadam.
The bhakthas who come from all over the country must be fed well and also should take back something to offer it to others. Before transportation, The Laddu is the one which can stay for many days and distributed to loved ones. Tamrin Rice, Pongal, Vada and curd rice are the food offered after dharshan. Seeker feels the anandam. These prasadams are helpful for bhakthas when they travel back in olden days.
A special prasadam was made. The signature Tirupati Laddu. The taste of it also blessings of Vishnu.
My connection to Vishnu is his Prasadam.
Theertham
Water is the life line for all beings. The fresh water makes many things grow and sustain the earth atmosphere. The water is of simple chemical reaction created this color and odor less liquid which can communicate information. One's feelings can be transferred through water. If you do surya vandanam, pour your thoughts into the water and then pray to sun pour it down. Surya receives it and bless you back. Ganga is the main connection between Earth and Brahmma lokam.
When we do abhishekam, perform all types of rituals, clean the god with clean water or ganga water. Now one last time clean the god, collect some water in a bowl. The divine energy from the idol and message from Vishnu or Gods is captured in the water. Add pacha karpooram, thulasi etc, now this theertham holds the divine blessings. Drink it and sprinkle on your head, the gods directly blessed you from heavens. Whenever we do pooja also we, have small cup which holds water.
Rishis has direct spiritual contact and also use water in kamandalam to communicate with God. When Rishis meditate the water attracts divine energy and holds that information for you. When you drink this water, it as if you are consuming the divine energy directly. If you seek blessings of Rishis, they sprinkle this water on you to transfer aashirvadam directly and also same thing will be used for cursing or saaapam and creating things or beings. We read in many stories that rishis do this.
If you drink even little from fountain of wisdom that ganga represents, we will be so blessed. The Ganga came from heavens to enlighten us. So by symbolically drinking ganga water, we feel enlightened. Same for Theertham in temples as well.
Theertham is created for our Venkateswara.
Garuda Vaahanam
If you start thinking with divine mind and look at our world, astonishment dawns on you. You can see and experience an intelligent artist's imagination and creation with many expressions. Every being that we see is of unique creation. Animals may not experience the divine creation but a human can certainly understand what vishnu is trying to express. No human artist can create anything new, other than what is being expressed in this world. My mother Bhoom Matha paints it based on her mood. As a child i laugh, wonder and enjoy her display and beauty. She gets her aanadam in entertaining me.
Spirituality speaks through nature and symbols. These are our learning tools. A hindu god is associated with an animal as vehicle. So it is way for god to travel from one place to another place for practical purposes. If you look deeply at Garuda or eagle what it represents? The physical ability of an eagle its nature to soaring to nee heights, with sharp eyes it can see minute details on the ground. When it sees a pray, comes down stealthily, swiftly picks up the pray and flies out to eat. It can even see the fish in the water and will time it to catch. It looks beautiful and majestic in birds. Krishna says I am Garuda in birds.
Seekers or Rishis attributed Garuda to Vishnu. They want this bird to be associated with soaring divine conscience. Even if it is soaring at new heights, conscience can clearly see every detail of divine truths. With this ability a seeker can understand the minute divine truths even though it is submerged under layers of consciences. As we progress in sadhana, our conscience and aanandam is expanding. When we see Vishnu on garuda in meditation, he is showing his divine nature and acknowledging like an eagle we are soaring in spirituality.
Now Venkatesa is ready with Garuda vaahanam.
Anantha Sesha or Snake
Many follow only one God. Even only Venkatesa. Vishnu in other forms people may not worship. So by creating this god, we should display all the attributes. Snake is one of the attributes and experiences. How to explain this. The best way, the snake raises from behind and stays on top of Venkata. So common comment is that god protects both snake and garuda. The deeper meaning of snake representation comes by sadhana and in meditation.
The great Sesha is coiled inside us. It is dormant and in full slumber. This snake is holding all the divine knowledge coiled inside it. Once it raises its head, all the divine knowledge will rush into the head and snake/s raises its head and dances. For Vishnu it is anantha or infinite seshas in the cosmic conscience ocean. He sleeps on these divine truths and energies. Constantly keeping them in control and meditating in his creation and seekers.
For a seeker raising snake or snakes behind head is toughest thing to do. This is not a physical experience , it is spiritual. With years of meditation experiences, first aanandam will start flowing. Many times tears will be rolling down on my cheeks. This energies of bliss pass though X chromosomes at faster than light. With trillions of them, forms the shape of snakes. The snakes appears in front of you, then with vishnu, then you see, raising behind your head. This is one of the best divine experiences. You must know how to control these snakes.
What is Anantha sesha is still a bigger concept. Our Venkata is with seshas.
Ashta Lakshmi
Bhoomi is of 8th dimension. If we follow Vishnu, Mother Lakshmi and Bhoo Devi are the feminine forces to be worshipped. The beauty is recognizing their various attributes and forms. Understand the deeper concept of it and then get connected with the mother. The Eight Lakshmis are one of the best divine forms.
Adi Lakshmi
Adi Lakshmi or Maha Lakshmi ("First / Primeval Lakshmi" or "Great Lakshmi") is an ancient form of Lakshmi.
She is depicted as four-armed, carrying a lotus and a white flag, other two arms in Abhaya mudra and varada mudra. 'Adi' means source.Adi Laxmi is the divine principle as wealth that supports a seeker to reach at their source i.e.'atman' or consciousness.If one individual posseeses AdiLaxmi, they can effortlessly delve deep into dhyana and realize the state of absolute silence, bliss and peace. Without Adi Lakshmi a seeker fails to quieten their wavering and chattering mind .Out of all Ashta Lakshmis this particular aspect is responsible for furthering of spiritual wealth.
Dhana Lakshmi
Dhana Lakshmi ("Money Lakshmi"), is the goddess of wealth.
Goddess Dhana Lakshmi is Four-armed, carries Sudarshana Chakra, Shankha, Kalasha(water pitcher with mango leaves and a coconut on it) or Amrita Kalasha (a pitcher containing Amrita – elixir of life), bow-arrow, a Lotus(flower) and an arm in abhaya mudra with gold coins falling from it.
In meditation i experienced the display of the Amrita Kalasam. Then i understood what it means. The amrita is being shared with me. Here Dhana means in physical world it is wealth but in spiritual world it is how much aanandam and amrita you are blessed with. It is inexplicable when you experience it.
Gaja Lakshmi
Gaja Lakshmi ("Elephant Lakshmi") is the giver of animal wealth (such as cattle)or the giver of power of royalty, as interpreted by Swami Chidananda.
According to Hindu mythology, Gaja Lakshmi brought back the wealth lost by Indra(king of demi-gods) from the ocean.Vasudha Narayanan interpreted the name as "one who is worshipped by elephants".She is depicted as four-armed, in red garments, carrying two lotuses, other two arms in abhaya mudra and varada mudra, surrounded by two elephants bathing her with water pots.
The explanation above is incorrect. Gaja means huge or big in samskrutham. So it is usually an Elephant. What does Ganesha represent? Intelligence, Hardworking, stubborn, huge grasping power. When he starts a work, he completes it.
A seeker needs Gaja Lakshmi force to retrieve the eternal knowledge lost in the cosmic ocean inside us. She will restore the lost eternal divine wealth. It needs Yogic Sadhana.
Santana Lakshmi
Santana Lakshmi ("Progeny Lakshmi") is the goddess of bestowing offspring.
She is depicted as six-armed, carrying two kalashas (water pitcher with mango leaves and a coconut on it), sword, shield, a child on her lap, a hand in abhaya mudra and the other holding the child. Her sword and shield symbolises a mother's ability to even kill someone to save her own child . The child holds a lotus.
The spiritual meaning is that, I Yogic Rishi was born to my mother Santhana Lakshmi with help of Vishnu. I am the proud child of her. She will do anything in her power to save, protect and educate me spiritual and physically. You could have read this many stories that mother arguing and fighting with Vishnu for her divine child. Ganesha story is a great example.
I am blessed by my mother.
Veera/Dhairya Lakshmi
Veera / Dhairya Lakshmi
Veera Lakshmi ("Valourous Lakshmi") or Dhairya Lakshmi ("Courage Lakshmi") is the goddess who bestows valour during battles and courage plus strength for overcoming difficulties in life.
She is depicted as eight-armed, in red garments, carrying a chakra, shankh, bow, arrow, trishul (or sword), a bundle of palm leaf scriptures, other two hands in abhaya mudra and varada mudra. she is the one who took the avtar of Durga. She is the one who take this form and slain all the demons inside us. When she blesses us with her grace, most of us cant handle it. Such is her power.
Jaya/Vijaya Lakshmi
Vijaya Lakshmi or Jaya Lakshmi ("Victorious Lakshmi") is the goddess and the giver of victory,not only in battlesbut also for conquering hurdles in order to achieve success.She is depicted as eight-armed, in red garments, carrying the chakra, shankh, sword, shield, lotus, pasha, other two hands in abhaya mudra and varada mudra.Jaya is male and vijaya is a female force. These balanced ones makes the seeker a successful one with demon battles. All gods will help you to be victorious in the quest.
All we have to do never quit and Keep working hard without any expectations. It will happen.
Vidya Lakshmi
Vidya Lakshmi ("Knowledge Lakshmi") is the goddess and the bestower of knowledge of arts and sciences. She is dressed in a white saree and has a resemblance to the goddess Saraswati. She holds a book of vedas, a peacock feather as a pen, vard mudra and abhay mudra. The Vidya we talk about is of spiritual nature which is inside you. Mother will help you to harvest and teach you. In this form she is my master and well wisher.
Additional Forms
In some Ashta Lakshmi lists, other forms of Lakshmi are included,
- Aishwarya Lakshmi ("Prosperity Lakshmi") : Goddess of richesonly form of Lakshmi Goddess which mounts horse. She generally replaces Vidya Lakshmi from the Astalakshmi list.
- Saubhagya Lakshmi ("Giver of good Fortune") : Giver of prosperity in general.
- Rajya Lakshmi ("Royal Lakshmi"): "She who blesses rulers (with power)"
- Vara Lakshmi ("Boon Lakshmi"): "The goddess who bestows boons".
The Ashta Lakshmi are now widely worshipped by her various manifestations. It is upto our imagination how many forms of feminine force can be formed and what we can learn from it.
Now Venkata is associated with Lakshmi, she sits on his heart and helps seekers to enlighten. It is the blessing of the mother is first needed. The truth is , when you seek her, she comes running for you only if you are sincere in your seeking. She struggles with us in our journey.
Ashta Lakshmi Stotram
ādilakśhmi
sumanasa vandita sundari mādhavi, candra sahodari hemamaye
munigaṇa vandita mokśhapradāyani, mañjula bhāśhiṇi vedanute |
paṅkajavāsini deva supūjita, sadguṇa varśhiṇi śāntiyute
jaya jayahe madhusūdana kāmini, ādilakśhmi paripālaya mām ‖ 1 ‖
Oh Adi Lakshmi the primordial goddess, protect me always. Pious hearted devotees bow to you. You are beautiful spouse of Madhava, sister of moon, golden, worshipped by sages and bestower of salvation. Your speech is sweet. You are extoled by vedas. You stay on lotus flower.Devatas worship you. You shower virtues. You are serene. Victory, Victory to you the dear consort of Madhusudana.
dhānyalakśhmi
ayikali kalmaśha nāśini kāmini, vaidika rūpiṇi vedamaye
kśhīra samudbhava maṅgaḻa rūpiṇi, mantranivāsini mantranute |
maṅgaḻadāyini ambujavāsini, devagaṇāśrita pādayute
jaya jayahe madhusūdana kāmini, dhān
yalakśhmi paripālaya mām ‖ 2 ‖
Oh Dhanaya Lakshmi who makes our granary full, you are destroyer of evils of Kali age. You are vedas personified. You are born in milk- Ocean.You are in auspicious Mantras and you are worshipped by Mantras. You stay on lotus. Devatas take refuge at your feet. Victory, Victory to the dear
consort of Madhusudana.
dhairyalakśhmi
jayavaravarśhiṇi vaiśhṇavi bhārgavi, mantra svarūpiṇi mantramaye
suragaṇa pūjita śīghra phalaprada, GYāna vikāsini śāstranute |
bhavabhayahāriṇi pāpavimocani, sādhu janāśrita pādayute
jaya jayahe madhu sūdhana kāmini, dhairyalakśhmī paripālaya mām ‖ 3 ‖
Oh Dhairya Lakshmi,the bestower of courage, you grant boons and fruits quickly. You bestow knowledge. Scriptures adore you. You dispel sins and wordly fears. Pious sages seek refuge at your feet. Victory, victory to Dhairya Lakshmi the loving consort of Madhusudana.
gajalakśhmi
jaya jaya durgati nāśini kāmini, sarvaphalaprada śāstramaye
radhagaja turagapadāti samāvṛta, parijana maṇḍita lokanute |
harihara brahma supūjita sevita, tāpa nivāriṇi pādayute
jaya jayahe madhusūdana kāmini, gajalakśhmī rūpeṇa pālaya mām ‖ 4 ‖
Oh Gaja Lakshmi worshipped by elephants. You destroy adversity. You fulfill wishes. You are surrounded by chariots,elephants, horses and infantry and others. Hari, Siva and Brahma admire your prowess.Your sacred feet eradicate all afflictions. Victory, victory to the dear consort of Madhusudana.
santānalakśhmi
ayikhaga vāhini mohini cakriṇi, rāgavivardhini GYānamaye
guṇagaṇavāradhi lokahitaiśhiṇi, saptasvara bhūśhita gānanute |
sakala surāsura deva munīśvara, mānava vandita pādayute
jaya jayahe madhusūdana kāmini, santānalakśhmī paripālaya mām ‖ 5 ‖
Oh Santana Lakshmi,bestower of progeny, Garuda bird is your mount. You spread love. You are knowledge personified. You are paragon of virtues and well wisher of all. You are praised in songs embellished with seven musical notes. All devatas, demons, divine sages and human beingsbow to your feet. victory, victory to the dear consort of Madhusudana.
vijayalakśhmi
jaya kamalāsini sadgati dāyini, GYānavikāsini gānamaye
anudina marcita kuṅkuma dhūsara, bhūśhita vāsita vādyanute |
kanakadharāstuti vaibhava vandita, śaṅkaradeśika mānyapade
jaya jayahe madhusūdana kāmini, vijayalakśhmī paripālaya mām ‖ 6 ‖
Oh Vijaya Lakshmi the bestower of success, you are seated on lotus. You bestow beatitude. You shower love and bloom knowledge. You are fully covered by kumkum when worshipped. You are praised with instrumental music. Your glory is recited in Kanakadhara stotram. Sankaracharya prostrates at your sacred feet. Victory, Victory to dear consort of Madhusudana.
vidyālakśhmi
praṇata sureśvari bhārati bhārgavi, śokavināśini ratnamaye
maṇimaya bhūśhita karṇavibhūśhaṇa, śānti samāvṛta hāsyamukhe |
navanidhi dāyini kalimalahāriṇi, kāmita phalaprada hastayute
jaya jayahe madhusūdana kāmini, vidyālakśhmī sadā pālaya mām ‖ 7 ‖
Oh Vidya Lakshmi the bestorwer of erudition, please protect. You are Bhargavi and you are Bharati. You alleviate grief of all. You are adorned with a variety of gems and your ear hangings are studed with gems. Your cheerful face radiates peace. You are bestower of all the nine types of wealth. You eradicate evils of Kali Age. You fulfill desires. Victory, Victory to dear consort of Madhusudana.
dhanalakśhmi
dhimidhimi dhindhimi dhindhimi-dindhimi, dundhubhi nāda supūrṇamaye
ghumaghuma ghuṅghuma ghuṅghuma ghuṅghuma, śaṅkha nināda suvādyanute |
veda pūrāṇetihāsa supūjita, vaidika mārga pradarśayute
jaya jayahe madhusūdana kāmini, dhanalakśhmi rūpeṇā pālaya mām ‖ 8 ‖
Oh Dhana Lakshmi the bestower of prosperity, You engross in rhythmic sounds ‘Dhim dhim’. You are worshipped with divine sound of Conch and other instruments. You are worshipped by Vedas, Puranas and mythology. You show us the vedic path. Victory, Victory to Dhanalakshmi the dear consort of Madhusudana.
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