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Green Message: The Evergreen Messages of Spirituality, Sanskrit and Nature
Deeds of Sri Vishnu
Sri Vishnu
Incarnations from Srimad Bhagavatam:
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)Once, in the Naimisharanya Kshetra, the holy place which does not close its eyelids (animisha) (from devotional activities towards God), the rishis headed by sage Saunaka were performing a sacrifice (satram) spanning thousand years. One day they asked Sri Suta: In this age of Kali, men are in general short-lived (alpa-ayu), idle (manda) (in terms of spiritual activities), very dull-witted (sumanda-mata) (in terms of understanding the true welfare of life in long-term), unfortunate by luck (manda-bhagya) (because spiritual grace does not dawn on them due to wrong activities) and invaded upon (upadruta) (by various distractions). Therefore please tell us the essence of the scriptures by which the atma becomes fully satisfied (suprasidati). Please tell us about the various incarnations of God (avataras) by taking shelter of which the heart becomes pacified (suprasidati) (by devotional feelings) as if being purified by the water of the river flowing down from heaven (svar loka) (i.e. river Ganga). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 1)
Sri Suta said: The supreme dharma (paro dharma) (in this age of kali) is devotion towards the Supreme God (Adhokshaja); the devotion which is causeless (ahaituki) (i.e. not driven by selfish ends) and unbroken (apratihata) (by various distractions of life). By this the atma becomes fully satisfied (suprasidati) (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 2)
Sri Suta said: In the beginning, God (Bhagavan) created by his power of maya (atma-maya) various forms (sat-asat rupa) which are within the modes of the creative principles (guna-maya) but the Supreme God (Vibhu) always remains transcendental beyond the gunas (aguna). By entering the creation (anta-pravishta) through the gunas and illuminating (abhati) the creation by his transcendental consciousness (vijnana), the Lord as if plays (vilasita) within the creation. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 2)
In the beginning the Lord assuming the universal form (Purusha) produced the the primary creative potencies (Mahat tattvas) for creating the various worlds (lokas) with sixteen principles (sodasa kala). From the navel-lake (nabhi-hrada) of the Lord lying in mystic slumber (yoganidra) in the waters, arose Brahma who was the master of creation (vishwa-srijam-pati). That universal form of the Lord with thousand faces, eyes, ears, arms and feet, and glowing with thousand garlands and earrings, is the imperishable seed (bija-avyaya) of all the incarnations (avataras). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
1. Kumara Avatara:
First, the Lord incarnated as Kumaras, when Brahma performed severe austerities of unbroken brahmacharya. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
1. Kumaras: I meditate on the four Kumara Avataras of Sri Vishnu - Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanat-kumara, who were created by Lord Brahma after purifying himself by meditating on the Supreme God; who were free from the bondages of karma and who were urdhwa-retas (whose creative energy flows upwards). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 3 - 12)Who revived the truth of the Aatma (Aatma Tattva) which was lost in the previous kalpa (period of creation) (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 2 - 7)
Refer to:
- Kumara Avatara (Srimad Bhagavatam)
2. Varaha Avatara:
Second, the Lord incarnated in the form of Varaha (saukaram-vapu) and lifted the earth (mahi) from the nether worlds (rasatala); the Lord who is the Lord of sacrifice (yajnesha). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
2. Varaha: I meditate on the Varaha Avatara of Sri Vishnu who entered the ocean of deluge, lifted the earth with his tusks, and brought it out of the waters; who then killed demon Hiranyaksha, the powerful son of Diti, and relieved the devas and sages from the many torments of the demon. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 3 - 13, 18 and 19)→ Srimushnam Bhu Varaha Swamy temple (Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu): Famous temple of Lord Varaha with Thayar as Ambujavalli.
3. Narada Avatara:
Third, the Lord incarnated in the form of Devarshi (Narada), and preached the essence (tantra) of devotion which makes one's work naishkarma (nonfrutive of the results of bondage) (by turning them towards God). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
3. Narada: I meditate on the Narada Avatara of Sri Vishnu who was created by Lord Brahma from his utsanga (deep deliberation) during the creation of the sages - Marici, Atri, Angira, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Bhrigu, Vasistha, Daksha and Narada. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 3 - 12)Who inspired sage Vyasadeva to compose the great Bhagavata for praising the transcendental glories of the Lord in every passage. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 5)
4. Nara & Narayana Avatara:
Fourth, the Lord incarnated as Nara and Narayana rishis, as the sons of king Dharma, and performed severe penances (dushcaram tapah) controlling the senses (atma-upashama). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
4. Nara & Narayana: I meditate on the Nara & Narayana Avatara of Sri Vishnu who incarnated from Dharma and Murti (the daughter of Daksha); who is still living and performs penance in Badarikashrama; and who is an embodiment of tranquility and cessation of all activities. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 11 - 4)Who by the strength of their tapas created celestial maidens, when the celestial maidens who were companions of Kamadeva tried to break their penance (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 2 - 7)
5. Kapila Avatara:
Fifth, the Lord incarnated as Kapila, the foremost among the perfected beings (siddhesha), who gave an exposition of the Samkhya Philosophy (Samkhya Tattva) to Asuri. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
5. Kapila: I meditate on the Kapila Avatara of Sri Vishnu who taught Sankhya Yoga to his mother Devahuti (and consequently to the world) and gave her liberation in the transcendental bliss of the Supreme Soul. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 3 - 25 to 33)Refer to:
- Deeds of sage Kardama
6. Dattatreya Avatara:
Sixth, the Lord incarnated as Dattatreya, as the son of sage Atri and Devi Anusuya, who spoke his philosophy to Alarka, Prahlada and others. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
6. Dattatreya: I meditate on the Dattatreya Avatara of Sri Vishnu who as an Avadhoota instructed king Yadu (and consequently the world) about spiritual life through the analogy of twenty-four gurus - earth, air, sky, water, fire, moon, sun etc. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 11 - 7 to 9)7. Yajna Avatara:
Seventh, the Lord incarnated as Yajna, as the son of Prajapati Ruci and Akuti, who ruled (as Indra) assisted by Yama and other devas during the period of Svayambhuva Manu. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
7. Yajna: I meditate on the Yajna Avatara of Sri Vishnu, who incarnated as the son of Prajapati Ruci and Akuti, and assumed the position of Indra during the period of Svayambhuva Manu. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 4 - 1) (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 8 - 1)8. Rishabha Avatara:
Eighth, the Lord incarnated as Rishabha, as the son of king Nabhi and Merudevi, who showed the way of steadiness and tranquility (dhira) (in leading life in the path of Dharma and Devotional service) and was honoured by all the ashramas (orders of life). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
8. Rishabha: I meditate on the Rishabha Avatara of Sri Vishnu who incarnated as the son of king Nabhi and Merudevi, ruled the world as a king exhibiting Dharma and Devotional service, taught his hundred sons (and consequently the world) the Bhagavata-Dharma, and finally retired as an Avaduta. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 5 - 3 to 6)9. Prithu Avatara:
Ninth, the Lord incarnated as king Prithu, when invoked by the rishis, and milked the earth obtaining various vegetations (oshadhih); thus making the earth beautiful (ushattama). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
9. Prithu: I meditate on the Prithu Avatara of Sri Vishnu who ruled the world as a great king, always keeping his heart on the Supreme God, and serving his subjects like mother; Who milked the Earth and obtained various food grains when his subjects were suffering from great scarcity of food; Who gave spiritual instructions to his subjects about devotion towards the Supreme God and life of Dharma; and finally who went back to the abode of the Supreme God by performing severe austerities. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 4 - 15 to 23)10. Matsya Avatara:
Tenth, the Lord incarnated as Matsya, when the earth was inundated after Cakshusa Manvantara, and taking the form of a fish protected Vaivasvata Manu keeping him over a boat. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
10. Matsya: I meditate on the Matsya Avatara of Sri Vishnu who killed demon Hayagriva and restored the Vedas to Brahma; Who also carried king Satyavrata (and brahmanas) on a boat over the waters of deluge, imparted Supreme Knowledge to him and made him the Vaivasvata Manu. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 8 - 24)→ Nagalapuram Matsya Narayana Swamy or Veda Narayana Swamy temple (Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh): Famous temple of Lord Matsya with Thayar as Vedavalli.
11. Kurma Avatara:
Eleventh, the Lord incarnated as Kurma, when the suras and asuras were churning the ocean, and taking the form of a tortoise sustained the Mandarachala hill on his back. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
11. Kurma: I meditate on the Kurma Avatara of Sri Vishnu who, in the form of a tortoise supported the Mandara mountain on his back during the churning of the Milky Ocean by the devas and asuras. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 8 - 7)→ Srikurmam Kurmanatha Swamy temple (Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh): Famous temple of Lord Kurma with Thayar as Kurmanayaki.
12. Dhanvantari Avatara:
Twelfth, the Lord incarnated as Dhanvantari. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
12. Dhanvantari: I meditate on the Dhanvantaru Avatara of Sri Vishnu who appeared with the kalasa of Amrita (Nectar) during the churning of the Milky Ocean and who is the seer of Ayurveda (the science of medicine). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 8 - 8)13. Mohini Avatara:
Thirteenth, the Lord incarnated as Mohini, and taking the form of a beautiful woman, made the suras drink the nectar and allured the asuras with her charming beauty. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
13. Mohini: I meditate on the Mohini Avatara of Sri Vishnu who deluded the demons in the form of a beautiful woman and distributed the nectar which came out of the churning of the Milky Ocean, to the devas. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 8 - 8 to 9)14. Narasimha Avatara:
Fourteenth, the Lord incarnated as Narasimha, and taking the form of a man-lion, split the strong body of the king of Daityas (Hiranyakasipu) with his nails, placing him over his lap, as if a carpenter is splitting a cane. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
14. Narasimha: I meditate on the Narasimha Avatara of Sri Vishnu who appeared before demon Hiranyakashipu from a pillar in the form of a man-lion, displaying his all-pervasiveness; and then killed the demon, thereby relieving the sufferings of the devas and saints (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 7 - 2 to 10)→ Ahobilam Nava Narasimha Swamy temple (Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh): Famous temple of Lord Narasimha.
15. Vamana Avatara:
Fifteenth, the Lord incarnated as Vamana, and taking the form of a dwarf, went to the sacrificial arena (adhvaram) of king Bali, for begging three steps of land, but willing the regain the three lokas (tri pistapam). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
15. Vamana: I meditate on the Vamana Avatara of Sri Vishnu who incarnated as a dwarf brahmana from Devi Aditi and Kashyapa Muni; appeared in the sacrificial arena of king Bali; begged three steps of land from him; then displaying his Trivikrama form took away all his wealth. Who finally blessed king Bali for his truthfulness and devotion and granted him the Sutala loka and made him the king of the heavenly abode during the Savarni Manvantara; then returned the heavenly abode to Indra. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 8 - 15 to 23)16. Parashurama Avatara:
Sixteenth, the Lord incarnated as Parashurama, and annihilated the kshatriyas twenty-one times in anger, when they were against the brahmanas (on the path of adharma). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
16. Parashurama: I meditate on the Parashurama Avatara of Sri Vishnu who killed the irreligious kshatriyas on earth twenty-one times and lessened the burden of the earth. Who killed Kartavirya and annihilated his entire dynasty (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 9 - 15 to 16)17. Vyasa Avatara:
Seventeenth, the Lord incarnated as Vyasadeva, as the son of Parashara Muni and Satyavati, and divided the Vedas into many branches (sakhas), seeing that the people were less intelligent (alpa-medhasah). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
17. Vyasa: I meditate on the Vyasa Avatara of Sri Vishnu who incarnated from sage Parasara and Satyavati; who divided the Vedas into four divisions to preserve the religious principles, and who entrusted the four Samhitas to his four disciples. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 12 - 6 to 16)Who incarnated when Dwapara yuga was merging with the third yuga (Treta yuga), as the son of yogi Parashara and the daughter of Vasu (Satyavati). Who saw during the yuga the spiritual power of people getting reduced (shakti-hrasa) due to materialistic thinking (bhautika bhavana), people bereft of sraddha, dull-witted (durmedha), of reduced lifespan (hrasita ayusah) and unfortunate (durbhaga). Who then divided the Vedas into four so people can purify their lives through the four vedic sacrifices (catur-hotra). Who then composed the Mahabharata out of compassion for the women (stri), labour class (sudra) etc. who cannot hear the Vedas. However still feeling dissatisfied at heart he, with the inspiration of sage Narada, composed the great Bhagavata for singing the glories of the Lord. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 4 to 5)
18. Rama Avatara:
Eighteenth, the Lord incarnated as Rama, and for performing the work of the devas controlled the ocean and exhibited superhuman prowess (eliminating Ravana and other demons). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
18. Rama: I meditate on the Rama Avatara of Sri Vishnu who incarnated in Ayodhya from king Dasharatha and queen Kaushalya; who was an embodiment of dharma; who went to forest to keep the words of his father; who killed Ravana and many other rakshasas and brought relief to the devas and the sages; and who ruled his kingdom like a father upholding dharma and made his subjects happy. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 9 - 10)19. Balarama Avatara:
Nineteenth, the Lord incarnated as Balarama in the Vrishnu (Yadu) dynasty, and removed the burden of the world. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
19. Balarama: I meditate on the Balarama Avatara of Sri Vishnu who incarnated in Mathura from Vasudeva and Devaki and was then transferred to the womb of Rohini in Vrindavana; who appeared as the elder brother of Sri Krishna and took part in many of the Leelas with him. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 1 to 90)20. Krishna Avatara:
Twenteenth, the Lord incarnated as Krishna in the Vrishnu (Yadu) dynasty, and removed the burden of the world. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
20. Krishna: I meditate on the Krishna Avatara of Sri Vishnu who incarnated in Mathura from Vasudeva and Devaki when the earth was overburdened with sins of the demon kings; who eliminated Kamsa, Sisupala, Jarasandha and many demon kings reducing the burden of the earth; who performed the divine Raasa Leela with the Gopis of Vrindavana; who delivered many devotees and sheltered the Pandavas who were on the path of Dharma. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 1 to 90)Refer to:
- Deeds of Sri Krishna
- Life Events of Sri Krishna
- Krishna Avatara
21. Buddha Avatara:
Twenty-first, the Lord will incarnate as Buddha, as the son of Anjana at Kikata during the advent of Kaliyuga, for deluding (sammohaya) those who are averse to theistic religion (and bring them to the path of dharma with his personal attraction). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
21. Buddha: I meditate on the Buddha Avatara of Sri Vishnu who will incarnate from Anjana in the Kikata kingdom during the advent of Kali Yuga for deluding those who are averse to theistic religion (and bring them to the path of dharma by his personal attraction). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3) (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 2 - 7)22. Kalki Avatara:
Twenty-second, the Lord will incarnate as Kalki, as the son of Vishnu Yasha during the conjunction of the yugas (Kali yuga and Satya yuga) (and punish the) kings of the world who will become like robbers (dashyu). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3)
22. Kalki: I meditate on the Kalki Avatara of Sri Vishnu who will incarnate as the son of Vishnu Yasha towards the end of Kali Yuga to punish the wrong-doers; when the age will so deteriorate that kings will become dashyus (robbers and plunderers) and discussion about God (Hari katha) will cease even among the dwijas (brahmanas). (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 1 - 3) (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 2 - 7)
Other Incarnations:1. Hayagriva Avatara:
From the sacrifice (satram) of Lord Brahma, Bhagavan Hayagriva (Hayashirasha) appeared. He was an embodiment of Yagna (Yagna-Purusha), Vedas (Chanda-maya) and Sacrifice (Makha-maya). He was having a golden hue. He was the soul of all the devas (Akhila-Devatma) and when he breathed the pleasing sounds (of Vedic hymns) came out of his nostrils. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 2 - 7)
I meditate on the Hayagriva Avatara of Sri Vishnu who incarnated (from the sacrifice of Brahma) and killing the very powerful demons Madhu and Kaitabha, who were against the Vedic principles and filled with rajas and tamas, resurrected the Vedas to Brahma. Whose form is filled with sattva and is very dear to the devotees. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 7 - 9)→ Thiruvahindrapuram Hayagriva Swamy temple (Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu): Famous temple of Lord Hayagriva.
2. Gajendra Moksham:
When the leg of gajendra (the leader of elephant) was caught by a crocodile, and the elephant invoked the Lord eulogizing as Adi Purusha (the Primordial Being), Akhila Loka Natha (the Lord of all the Lokas), Tirtha Sravah (the great Pilgrimage) and Sravana-Mangala Namadheya (Whose Names when meditated upon brings Auspiciousness); the Lord immediately appeared on the wings of the bird (Garuda) and cutting the mouth of the crocodile with his chakra, delivered the elephant by his trunk. (Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 2 - 7)