2)Divine Incarnations: Lord Vishnu’s Birth Stories Filled with Grace and Enlightenment

Lord Vishnu

Regarded as the universe’s protector and preserver, Lord Vishnu, is Hinduism’s most important deity. Lord Vishnu is responsible for preserving the harmony between good and evil, also he is credited with upholding cosmic order. Lord Vishnu has a calm expression, and Vishnu is frequently depicted with four arms carrying symbolic artifacts such as a conch shell, discus, mace, and lotus flower.

Lord Vishnu travels to Earth and subdues evil through his renowned manifestations and avatars. The two of the most well-known avatars are Lord Rama, the brave prince from the Ramayana epic, and Lord Krishna, the charming cowherd from the Mahabharata epic. These avatars provide important lessons about dharma (righteousness), dedication, and the search for the truth to humanity.

Devotees worship Lord Vishnu with great devotion and gratitude, in order to obtain his blessings for peace, prosperity, and spiritual enlightenment. They repeat his mantras and hymns, such as the Vishnu Sahasranama (thousand names of Vishnu), and engage in ceremonies like the Vishnu Puja, to show their devotion.

In art, Lord Vishnu rests upon the cosmic serpent, Shesha, signifying his omnipresence and eternal nature. His consort is, Goddess Lakshmi, who represents prosperity, beauty, and fortune. They stand for the divine combination of protection and prosperity when combined.

The teachings and stories related to Lord Vishnu highlight the value of upholding justice and guarding the weak. Regarded as the eternal and kind energy, that is constantly vigilant, Lord Vishnu is conserned for the welfare of the universe and all living things. Lord Vishnu motivates followers to live moral lives, submit to his divine grace, and seek his direction on the road to spiritual freedom.

Story of birth of Lord Vishnu

Hindu mythology’s account of Lord Vishnu’s birth is a compelling tale that sheds light on the divine motivation behind his incarnation. It starts in the Treta Yuga era, a very long time ago.

Emerging in the celestial realm, Hiranyaksha was a powerful demon. Hiranyaksha unleashed chaos and presented a threat to the balance of the cosmos, driven by his tremendous strength and conceit. At the depth of his malevolenc, even the gods quavered in terror.

In order to combat this growing threat, Lord Vishnu made the decision to arrive on Earth as Varaha, a boar. in the hopes of having a child that would be able to defeat the demon, a righteous monarch named Kashyapa and his righteous wife, Diti, underwent rigorous penance to obtain the blessing of Lord Vishnu

After being pleased with their devotion, Lord Vishnu appeared in front of them and fulfilled their request. He promised them that he would become their kid and put an end to Hiranyaksha’s rule.

Diti eventually became pregnant, and the infant that was growing inside of her womb released holy energy. Indra, who is known as the king of gods, felt the might of this unborn child, grew worried about the ramifications of such a strong being entering the world of mortals. He tried to prevent the birth of the child out of fear of the repercussions.

In the shadows while posing as her husband Kashyapa, Indra tricked Diti into violating a key pledge by approaching her. Diti unwittingly jeopardized the integrity of her pregnancy, by falling for Indra’s trick. Her oversight led the embryo to divide into two parts.

Hiranyaksha, a vicious demon who inherited his mother’s wrath and father’s might, emerged from the first half. Waiting at the appropriate moment for its divine appearance, the other half remained inside Diti’s womb.

The righteous sages performed rituals and sang hymns to assure its protection and eventual birth, knowing the importance of this unborn child. They strengthened and protected the unborn child with divine power.

At the right time, Varaha, a gigantic hog, took on the glorious form of Lord Vishnu. He plunged into the cosmic ocean’s depths, where Hiranyaksha had buried the Earth, using his immense might. In a bloody conflict, Varaha defeated the demon and freed the Earth from its underground captivity.

Lord Vishnu returned to his celestial form after completing his task, glistening with glorious magnificence. He went back to his home in the sky and awaited the moment when the world would once more call upon him to establish justice.

To safeguard and reinstate order in the universe is remembered through the tale of Lord Vishnu’s birth as Varaha. It shows his tremendous strength, empathy, and willingness to take on different forms in order to preserve the harmony of the cosmos. This story also highlights the value of devotion and the repercussions of departing from the path of righteousness.

The incarnations of Lord Vishnu continue to uplift followers by instilling in them the virtues of justice, humility, and selflessness. In times of turbulence and upheaval and directed humanity toward the path of virtue through his different incarnations, Lord Vishnu brings comfort. His incarnation as Varaha demonstrates his unwavering dedication to upholding the peace of the cosmos and serves as evidence of his unending grace and love for all living things.

Mantra of Lord Vishnu

Here is a commonly recited mantra for Lord Vishnu in Sanskrit:

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय

Phonetically, it would be pronounced as:

“Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”

The mantra is acknowledged as the “Vishnu Mool Mantra” and it is a powerful mantra to pray to Lord Vishnu, who is the preserver and protector of the universe in Hindu theology. The meaning of this mantra is “I bow to Lord Vishnu who is the preserver and protector of the universe, the one who eliminates the ignorance and darkness”.

Aarti of Lord Vishnu

In Mumbai and many other parts of Maharashtra, the Aarti of Lord Vishnu that is commonly recited in Brahman homes is the “Om Jai Jagdish Hare” Aarti. This Aarti is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is regarded as the preserver and sustainer of the universe in Hindu mythology. The “Om Jai Jagdish Hare” Aarti is a popular and melodious hymn expressing devotion and gratitude to the Lord.

Here is the “Om Jai Jagdish Hare” Aarti in Marathi:

ओम जय जगदीश हरे,
स्वामी जय जगदीश हरे।
भक्त जनों के संकट,
दास जनों के संकट,
क्षण में दूर करे।।

ओम जय जगदीश हरे।

जो ध्यावे फल पावे,
दुख बिनसे मन का।
स्वामी दुख बिनसे मन का।
सुख सम्पत्ति घर आवे,
कष्ट मिटे तन का।
मात पिता तुम मेरे,
शरण गहुँ किसकी मैं।
किसकी मैं वृद्धि की दाता,
दुःखविनाशक सुखरता।
तुम्हे चरणों से लगाऊँ,
शरण गहुँ किसकी मैं।

ग्यान विज्ञान गुण सखी,
मति मेरी ज्ञान उजाला।
स्वामी ज्ञान उजाला।
पावन तत्त्वा ग्यान विज्ञान,
सुनि भक्तहि शुभ फला।
करया सेवा ज्ञानीकी,
हरउ भक्तहि की लाज।
श्रद्धा भक्ति में धर लीजै,
विषयी मोहीत अविनाश।।

ओम जय जगदीश हरे॥

This Aarti is a heartfelt expression of devotion, seeking the blessings and protection of Lord Vishnu for the welfare and well-being of all devotees. It is often sung during morning and evening rituals and on special occasions to honor the divine presence of Lord Vishnu.

Meaning of the aarti of Lord Vishnu

The aarti is sung to express reverence and gratitude towards Lord Vishnu and seek his blessings. Let’s break down the meaning of the verses:

Verse 1:
Om Jai Jagdish Hare, Swami Jai Jagdish Hare.
O Lord, Victory to you, Master of the Universe.

Bhakta Jano Ke Sankat, Daas Jano Ke Sankat,
You remove the troubles of your devotees and servants.

Kshan Mein Door Kare.
Instantly dispelling their difficulties.

Om Jai Jagdish Hare.
O Lord, Victory to you, Master of the Universe.

Verse 2:
Jo Dhyaave Phal Paave, Dukh Bin Se Man Ka.
Whoever meditates upon you attains fulfillment, and their sorrows vanish from their minds.

Swami Dukh Bin Se Man Ka, Sukh Sampati Ghar Aave,
O Lord, in your presence, sorrows disappear, and happiness and prosperity come to their homes.

Kasht Mite Tan Ka.
Their physical and mental afflictions are removed.

Mata Pita Tum Mere, Sharan Gahu Kisaki Main.
You are my Mother and Father, in whom I seek refuge.

Kisaki Main Vriddhi Ki Data,
You are the giver of growth and prosperity.

Dukh Vinashak Sukhakarta.
You destroy sorrow and bestow happiness.

Tumhe Charano Se Lagaoon, Sharan Gahu Kisaki Main.
I bow down at your feet, seeking refuge in you.

Verse 3:
Gyan Vigyan Gun Sagar, Mati Mere Jnan Ujaala.
You are the ocean of knowledge, wisdom, and virtues, and your wisdom illuminates my intellect.

Swami Jnan Ujaala, Pawan Tatva Gyan Vigaana,
O Lord, your knowledge purifies my thoughts and intellect.

Suni Bhaktahi Shubha Phala.
Listening to it, your devotees attain auspicious fruits.

Karya Seva Jnaniki, Harau Bhaktahi Ki Laaj.
Through service to the wise, I surrender myself.

Shraddha Bhakti Men Dhar Lije, Vishayee Mohit Avinaash.
With faith and devotion, I hold on to you, breaking free from worldly attachments.

Om Jai Jagdish Hare.
O Lord, Victory to you, Master of the Universe.

The “Om Jai Jagdish Hare” aarti is sung in various Hindu households and temples during prayers and religious ceremonies as a way to express devotion and seek blessings from Lord Vishnu for a prosperous and harmonious life.

Chalisa of Lord Vishnu

दोहा

विष्णु सुनिए विनय सेवक की चितलाय ।
कीरत कुछ वर्णन करूं दीजै ज्ञान बताय ॥

विष्णु चालीसा

नमो विष्णु भगवान खरारी, कष्ट नशावन अखिल बिहारी ।
प्रबल जगत में शक्ति तुम्हारी, त्रिभुवन फैल रही उजियारी ॥

सुन्दर रूप मनोहर सूरत, सरल स्वभाव मोहनी मूरत ।
तन पर पीताम्बर अति सोहत, बैजन्ती माला मन मोहत ॥

शंख चक्र कर गदा विराजे, देखत दैत्य असुर दल भाजे ।
सत्य धर्म मद लोभ न गाजे, काम क्रोध मद लोभ न छाजे ॥

सन्तभक्त सज्जन मनरंजन, दनुज असुर दुष्टन दल गंजन ।
सुख उपजाय कष्ट सब भंजन, दोष मिटाय करत जन सज्जन ॥

पाप काट भव सिन्धु उतारण, कष्ट नाशकर भक्त उबारण ।
करत अनेक रूप प्रभु धारण, केवल आप भक्ति के कारण ॥

धरणि धेनु बन तुमहिं पुकारा, तब तुम रूप राम का धारा ।
भार उतार असुर दल मारा, रावण आदिक को संहारा ॥

आप वाराह रूप बनाया, हिरण्याक्ष को मार गिराया ।
धर मत्स्य तन सिन्धु बनाया, चौदह रतनन को निकलाया ॥

अमिलख असुरन द्वन्द मचाया, रूप मोहनी आप दिखाया ।
देवन को अमृत पान कराया, असुरन को छवि से बहलाया ॥

कूर्म रूप धर सिन्धु मझाया, मन्द्राचल गिरि तुरत उठाया ।
शंकर का तुम फन्द छुड़ाया, भस्मासुर को रूप दिखाया ॥

वेदन को जब असुर डुबाया, कर प्रबन्ध उन्हें ढुढवाया ।
मोहित बनकर खलहि नचाया, उसही कर से भस्म कराया ॥

असुर जलन्धर अति बलदाई, शंकर से उन कीन्ह लड़ाई ।
हार पार शिव सकल बनाई, कीन सती से छल खल जाई ॥

सुमिरन कीन तुम्हें शिवरानी, बतलाई सब विपत कहानी ।
तब तुम बने मुनीश्वर ज्ञानी, वृन्दा की सब सुरति भुलानी ॥

देखत तीन दनुज शैतानी, वृन्दा आय तुम्हें लपटानी ।
हो स्पर्श धर्म क्षति मानी, हना असुर उर शिव शैतानी ॥

तुमने ध्रुव प्रहलाद उबारे, हिरणाकुश आदिक खल मारे ।
गणिका और अजामिल तारे, बहुत भक्त भव सिन्धु उतारे ॥

हरहु सकल संताप हमारे, कृपा करहु हरि सिरजन हारे ।
देखहुं मैं निज दरश तुम्हारे, दीन बन्धु भक्तन हितकारे ॥

चाहता आपका सेवक दर्शन, करहु दया अपनी मधुसूदन ।
जानूं नहीं योग्य जब पूजन, होय यज्ञ स्तुति अनुमोदन ॥

शीलदया सन्तोष सुलक्षण, विदित नहीं व्रतबोध विलक्षण ।
करहुं आपका किस विधि पूजन, कुमति विलोक होत दुख भीषण ॥

करहुं प्रणाम कौन विधिसुमिरण, कौन भांति मैं करहु समर्पण ।
सुर मुनि करत सदा सेवकाई, हर्षित रहत परम गति पाई ॥

दीन दुखिन पर सदा सहाई, निज जन जान लेव अपनाई ।
पाप दोष संताप नशाओ, भव बन्धन से मुक्त कराओ ॥

सुत सम्पति दे सुख उपजाओ, निज चरनन का दास बनाओ ।
निगम सदा ये विनय सुनावै, पढ़ै सुनै सो जन सुख पावै ॥

॥ इति श्री विष्णु चालीसा ॥

Meaning of the Chalisa of Lord Vishnu

The “Vishnu Chalisa” is a devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. It consists of 40 verses (hence the name “Chalisa”) that praise and invoke Lord Vishnu’s divine qualities and exploits. The Chalisa is recited by devotees to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu and to attain spiritual growth and protection from adversities.

Here is the meaning of the “Doha” (the introductory couplet) and the “Vishnu Chalisa” in English:

Doha (Introductory Couplet):
“O Vishnu, listen to the humble prayer of your servant. Grant me the knowledge to describe your divine glory.”

Vishnu Chalisa:

“Salutations to Bhagavan Vishnu, the remover of sufferings and the ultimate redeemer of all. Your power is mighty and radiates in all three worlds.”

“Your beautiful and enchanting form captivates the heart, and your simple and endearing nature is delightful. You adorn a golden garment and a mesmerizing Vaijayanti garland.”

“Your divine conch, discus, mace, and lotus grace your resplendent form. The demons and Asuras tremble in fear at the sight of these divine weapons.”

“You do not favor falsehood, unrighteousness, arrogance, desire, anger, or greed. You protect and delight your devoted saints and vanquish the wicked demons.”

“You bring joy to the hearts of your devoted saints, destroy the wicked demons and their armies, and alleviate all sorrows and afflictions. You remove the faults and sins of your righteous devotees.”

“You liberate beings from the ocean of transmigration and destroy their sufferings. You manifest in various forms, but your devotion alone is essential.”

“When Mother Earth called for your help, you assumed the form of Lord Rama and defeated the demon king Ravana, and his army.”

“You incarnated as the divine boar, Varaha, to lift and rescue the Earth from the depths of the cosmic ocean, defeating the demon Hiranyaksha.”

“You assumed the form of the divine fish, Matsya, to protect the Vedas during the great deluge and retrieved the fourteen precious gems from the ocean.”

“You mesmerized the demons with your enchanting form and granted the nectar to the gods, deceiving the demons with your illusion.”

“In your Kurma (tortoise) incarnation, you supported Mount Mandara during the churning of the cosmic ocean, thus helping the gods obtain the elixir of immortality.”

“You protected Lord Shiva from the demon Jalandhara’s attack and revealed your true form, dispelling the illusion of the demon Bhasmasura.”

“When the demons tried to submerge the Vedas, you guided them to safety, and with your divine powers, you made the wicked demons disappear in ashes.”

“You fought fiercely with the demon Jalandhara, and with your power, you overcame him, and all the gods celebrated your victory.”

“Remembering you, O consort of Shiva, the virtuous Vrinda (Tulsi plant) narrated all the stories of adversities. Then, you became a great sage full of knowledge and wisdom, and Vrinda forgot all her worries.”

“When three wicked demons attacked, Vrinda rushed to embrace you. By your touch, the demons’ sins were destroyed, and they were absorbed into you.”

“You saved Dhruva, Prahlada, and others from distress, and you killed demons like Hiranyakashipu. You rescued the virtuous Gajendra from the clutches of a crocodile, and you liberated many devotees from the cycle of birth and death.”

“You eradicate the sufferings of the humble and distressed devotees. O Madhusudana, shower your grace upon me, a humble servant seeking your divine darshan.”

“I do not know the proper way to worship you or the rituals to follow. Ignorant and foolish, I seek your divine approval.”

“O Lord, devotees like Sanaka, Sanandana, and others perpetually serve you. They remain joyous, achieving the highest state of salvation.”

“You witnessed the atrocities of the three demonic brothers, and Vrinda came running to embrace you. With a touch of your hand, you eradicated their sins, and they fell at your feet, begging for forgiveness.”

“You fought valiantly against the powerful demon, Jalandhara, and defeated him, thus alleviating the suffering of all gods.”

“I meditate on your virtuous, compassionate, and benevolent qualities. I do not know the rituals and customs of worshiping you, which cause me immense distress.”

“Bestow upon me your divine vision and bless me with the company of your devotees. Let me serve you as a humble servant and attain liberation from all sins and sufferings.”

“Grant me devotion and love for you, and bless me with wealth, prosperity, and happiness. Make me your dedicated servant and protect me from the cycle of birth and death.”

“Guide me on the righteous path, bless me with contentment and noble virtues. I do not comprehend the principles of righteous conduct; thus, I suffer from great ignorance.”

“I bow down to you, seeking your remembrance. I do not know how to offer my obeisance properly or dedicate myself to you.”

“The gods and sages perpetually serve you with devotion and delight. They are always ecstatic, attaining the ultimate state of salvation.”

“O Lord, you are the protector of the helpless and distressed. Recognize your devotees as your own and remove their sins and sufferings.”

“Grant me abundant wealth, happiness, and spiritual upliftment. Make me your devoted servant and relieve me from all sorrows and afflictions.”

“You protected Dhruva, Prahlada, and others, destroying demons like Hiranyakashipu. You rescued Gajendra from the clutches of a crocodile and liberated numerous devotees from the cycle of birth and death.”

“You eliminate the sufferings of your humble and distressed devotees. O Madhusudana, shower your grace upon me, a humble servant seeking your divine darshan.”

“I do not know the proper way to worship you or the rituals to follow. Ignorant and foolish, I seek your divine approval.”

“O Lord, devotees like Sanaka, Sanandana, and others perpetually serve you. They remain joyous, achieving the highest state of salvation.”

“You witnessed the atrocities of the three demonic brothers, and Vrinda came running to embrace you. With a touch of your hand, you eradicated their sins, and they fell at your feet, begging for forgiveness.”

“You fought valiantly against the powerful demon, Jalandhara, and defeated him, thus alleviating the suffering of all gods.”

“I meditate on your virtuous, compassionate, and benevolent qualities. I do not know the rituals and customs of worshiping you, which cause me immense distress.”

“Bestow upon me your divine vision and bless me with the company of your devotees. Let me serve you as a humble servant and attain liberation from all sins and sufferings.”

“Grant me devotion and love for you, and bless me with wealth, prosperity, and happiness. Make me your dedicated servant and protect me from the cycle of birth and death.”

“Guide me on the righteous path, bless me with contentment and noble virtues. I do not comprehend the principles of righteous conduct; thus, I suffer from great ignorance.”

This concludes the Vishnu Chalisa, a devotional hymn that extols the divine qualities and deeds of Lord Vishnu, seeking his blessings and protection. Devotees recite this Chalisa with utmost devotion to connect with the divine and attain spiritual growth and fulfillment in life.

Importance of Indira Ekadashi in Marathi(Importance of Lord Vishnu’s Pooja)

इंदिरा एकादशीची महत्वपूर्णता:

इंदिरा एकादशी म्हणजे हिंदू पंचांगानुसार श्रावण महिन्यातील वडील एकादशी. या दिवशी भगवान विष्णूच्या पूजेची महत्वपूर्णता आहे. या एकादशीची विशेषता असलेली गोडी पाडवी श्रीकृष्णाची आहे. यामुळे इंदिरा एकादशीला ‘गोडी पाडवी’ असे प्रसिद्ध झाले आहे.

इंदिरा एकादशीच्या दिवशी विशेष पूजापाठांची केल्यामुळे भगवान विष्णूच्या कृपेची अपेक्षिता घडतात. विशेषकरून या दिवशी विष्णूसह तुळशीच्या वृंदावनातल्या वृक्षाची पूजा केली जाते. त्याच्या आजीविषयी इंदिरा एकादशीला उपवास करून व्रती होण्याच्या विशेष महत्वाची मान्यता आहे.

ह्या दिवशी उपवास करण्यामुळे श्रद्धालु विष्णूच्या अनुग्रहाच्या भावनेने जीवनात शुभ बदल करू शकतात. त्याचाच तपस्या, ध्यान, धर्मपरायणता, दया आणि पात्रतेच्या संकल्पाची पालन केल्यास व्यक्तिमत्वातील सुधारणा होतात.

इंदिरा एकादशीला श्रद्धालु हिंदू धर्माच्या आचारधर्मांसाठी अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण मानतात आणि या दिवशी उपवास करून आत्मविकास, शुभचिंतना, आत्मशुद्धि आणि ध्येयात्मक जीवनशैलीच्या दिशेने प्रगती करतात.

नोंद: वर्णन केलेल्या माहितींची मान्यता मराठीतील इंदिरा एकादशीच्या महत्वाच्या परंपरांच्या आधारावर आहे. आपल्या विविध स्रोतांमधून आपल्याला अधिक माहिती मिळू शकते.