ವೃಷಾಹೀ ವೃಷಭಃ ವಿಷ್ಣುಃ ವೃಶಪರ್ವಾ ವೃಷೋದರಃ
ವರ್ಧನಃ ವರ್ಧಮಾನಃ ವಿವಿಕ್ತಃ ಶ್ರುತಿಸಾಗರಃ || 28 ||
vṛṣāhī vṛṣabhaḥ viṣṇuḥ vṛśaparvā vṛṣodaraḥ
vardhanaḥ vardhamānaḥ viviktaḥ śrutisāgaraḥ || 28 ||
Vṛṣāhī (ವೃಷಾಹೀ)
Bhagavan, who is worshipped through the performance of righteous yajnas (sacrifices), the one who accepts these yajnas and fulfills our desires, is known as Vṛṣāhī. As mentioned earlier, there are three types of yajnas: yajnas performed in the fire, yajnas performed in the body, and yajnas performed in the space within the head (through meditation). In this way, the worship of Bhagavan is 'Vṛṣāh.' All the actions we perform, all the activities in our lives, should be considered as yajnas. Sometimes, reading scriptures can lead to ignorance, and performing yajnas and rituals can nurture wrong notions. Therefore, before reading any scripture, we begin with the mantra 'Om Shanti Shanti Shanti,' seeking peace. Bhagavan, who is the pinnacle of bliss and knowledge, guides us on the path of knowledge. He is the one who places us on the path of 'jnana-ananda' ‘sha+anti’ (bliss of knowledge). In the same way, in every worship, we first offer prayers to Lord Ganapati. Because Lord Ganapati is the deity of the sky, and this sky is created from the navel of the Supreme Lord, that's why Lord Ganapati is the deity of our navel.
ನಾಭ್ಯ ಆಸೀದಂತರಿಕ್ಷಂ ಶೀರ್ಷ್ನೋಧ್ಯೋ ಸಮವರ್ತತ
ಪದ್ಭ್ಯಾಂ ಭೂಮೀರ್ ದಿಶ ಶ್ರೋತ್ರಾತ್ ತತಾ ಲೋಕಾ ಅಕಲ್ಪಯನ್
nābhya āsīdaṃtarikṣaṃ śīrṣnodhyo samavartata
padbhyāṃ bhūmīr diśa śrotrāt tatā lokā akalpayan
Near our navel, there are three chakras: Muladhara, Swadhisthana, and Manipura. Above the navel, there is the Anahata Chakra, situated in the Hrud Kamala (lotus of the heart) where one should meditate. To access the Hrud Kamala, beyond the Muladhara, Swadhisthana, and Manipura chakras, one must open the gate of the navel. For this reason, we begin every worship with a prayer to Lord Ganapati. Before every Yagna we write Ganapathi Mandala and first worship Lord Ganapati before we begin any Yagna. Once Ganapathi opens the doors of the Navel, the Hrud Kamala opens automatically. This state is known as “Vrushaha”. God as “Vrushahi” will accept our worship and will bless us. The Hrud Kamala Nivasi is called Vrushahi.
vṛṣabhaḥ (ವೃಷಭಃ)
"Vrishabha" means bull. It is a symbol of masculinity, standing strong without yielding to anything, facing adversaries head-on. This is a natural trait of masculinity. Generally, these qualities are not found in women. Gentleness, harmony, and surrender are the characteristics of a woman. For a woman, the relationship with her father in childhood, husband in youth, and children in old age is essential. Therefore, the bull, which is a symbol of masculinity and a representation of creatures like lions and tigers, is often compared only to men. However, God is the greatest hero of all heroes. There is no one who can face Him. Even the most accomplished man must surrender to death at some point. But God stands beyond all, supremely powerful. In the world, there is no request He cannot fulfill. That is Lord Vrishabha.
viṣṇuḥ (ವಿಷ್ಣುಃ)
The name "Vishnu" appears three times in the Vishnu Sahasranama, the thousand names of Lord Vishnu. As mentioned earlier, "Vishnu" means the one who can enter everywhere, signifying that He is omnipresent, the inner controller of all. He is the all-pervading and all-powerful Lord. In the Vishnu Sukta, it is stated:
‘Idam Vishnur vichakrame treadhā nidadhe padam samū(ल)ḍhamasya’ ‘ಇದಂ ವಿಷ್ಣುರ್ವಿಚಕ್ರಮೇ ತ್ರೇಧಾ ನಿದಧೇ ಪದಮ್ ಸಮೂ(ಲ)ಢಮಸ್ಯ’. In the universe, whatever things exist and whatever is within us, all of it is contained within the Supreme Lord alone. He is the one God for Hindus, Muslims, and Christians alike. The distinctions between Vaishnavism and Shaivism are human-made. The Supreme Lord is all-pervading, omnipresent, and all-powerful. It is impossible for there to be two Supreme Gods. The word 'Sarva' (meaning 'all') implies that God can be called by any name, but the underlying meaning should be understood. This is exemplified in the life of the philosopher Madhvacharya. Once, while he was traveling in North India, he entered a Muslim king's territory without permission and was apprehended by the king's soldiers. When questioned by the king, Madhvacharya responded, 'You worship your God, and I worship my God, but aren't we all children of the same God?' The king was moved by this reply and allowed Madhvacharya to stay in his kingdom. This story illustrates the universality of the concept that, despite different names and practices, there is one Supreme God, and we are all His children. The Vishnu Sahasranama conveys this profound message.
When you carefully examine the hymns, you will find that there are no hymns without the letters 'ಷ' (sha) and 'ಣ' (ṇa). 'ವಿ-ಷ-ಣು' (Vi-ṣ-ṇu) means the God who is distinguished (Vi), all-pervading (ṣa), and omnipotent (ṇu).
vṛśaparvā (ವೃಶಪರ್ವಾ)
'ವೃಶ' ‘Vrusha’ means the power to grant desires, and 'ಪರ್ವ' (parva) means the four stages of our life's goals. These four stages are Dharma (righteousness), Artha (prosperity), Kama (desires), and Moksha (liberation). If we follow the path of Dharma, then God alone can fulfill all our desires. The path of Adharma (unrighteousness) is temporary. Vyasa, the sage who compiled the Vedas, has said, 'I have shown the path of Dharma; behind it, Artha, Kama, and Moksha follow on their own.' In this way, the four stages of Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha become the fulfiller of our desires, and God is called Vrishaparva.
vṛṣodaraḥ (ವೃಷೋದರಃ)
God who bestows rain upon the earth in the form of clouds in the morning, transforming groundwater into clouds again, and continuously turning this cycle, the faultless and wish-fulfilling Lord is known as Vrishodara.
vardhanaḥ (ವರ್ಧನಃ)
"Vruddhi" means the one who nurtures and makes us grow, providing for this creation. The term "Vrudhi" also implies the one who ultimately causes destruction or the end, as growth ultimately leads to death. Crops, grains, and plants, after reaching maturity, ultimately meet their end. Growth serves its purpose in death. Therefore, death is a natural state.
"Vara" + "Dhana" = "Vardhana." The one from whom we attain the highest wealth, which is knowledge, is called "Vardhana." Here, the highest wealth means "knowledge" that increases when shared in the right way. The greatest wealth that can be attained on the right path is liberation (Moksha). In this way, the Lord, who nurtures us, causes destruction, provides knowledge, and grants liberation, is known as "Vardhana."
vardhamānaḥ (ವರ್ಧಮಾನಃ)
"Vardhamana" means the one who is constantly growing or evolving. In this context, it doesn't mean that God is growing but rather that He is eternally perfect and complete in all aspects throughout all time. Through His incarnations, He shows us how we should be at various stages of growth and development. He does not conform to any human standards or measurements of greatness or growth.
viviktaḥ (ವಿವಿಕ್ತಃ)
"Vivikta" means extremely pure and unique. The personality of God is profoundly distinct. The God who creates the universe is devoid of any blemish or attachment and also engages in the act of destruction without any contamination. In this way, God is both pure and unparalleled, possessing a unique personality.Top of Form
śrutisāgaraḥ (ಶ್ರುತಿಸಾಗರಃ)
The Lord, who is the ultimate destination for all scriptures and the Vedas, is like the vast ocean. In this world, all languages and words describe Him. Alongside sound, there is 'naad' (resonance) called 'Shruti.' In 'naad,' there are four basic elements: Udatta (high pitch), Anudatta (low pitch), Svarita (musical) and Prachaya (compound). 'Udatta' is when one raises his voice from the throat, 'Anudatta' is when one lowers the voice, 'Svarita' is the combination of 'Udatta' and 'Anudatta,' and 'Prachaya' is when 'Udatta' and 'Anudatta' are merged simultaneously. These four basic elements form the foundation of sound, and with the addition of the seven musical notes, they are used to praise the Lord. Changes in 'naad' result in changes in meaning, and 'naad' imparts meaning to language. Since all 'naads' describe the Lord, He is the 'Shruti Sagar' (the ocean of sound).
