A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

vïrya 204
contentment, ritual actions, study, making
the Lord the motive of one’s actions)
as listed in Patañjali’s Yogasütra, as
preparation for higher meditation.
Specific virtues are enjoined on members
of particular saƒpradäyas (sects), such as
fasting on specific days, observing feasts,
contributing to temple worship etc.
vïrya (‘strength’)
One of the attributes of Vi•æu, according
to RÄMÄNUJA.
Viÿi•flädvaita
The interpretation of VEDÄNTA developed
by RÄMÄNUJA and his followers, in
opposition to ŸA¢KARA’s Advaita.
While maintaining the ultimate oneness
of all reality, Rämänuja postulates a
multiplicity of real beings: the world of
material things as well as that of living
beings, in addition to BRAHMAN, identical
with Vi•æu. The universe is seen as
God’s body. As a consequence both the
way to salvation and the ultimate end
are conceived differently from Ÿaökara’s
Advaita: for Rämänuja human effort
aided by divine grace is required, and
the final state is not one of complete dissolution
of individual existence but one
of eternal companionship with Vi•æu
together with all the released.
Vi•æu (‘the all-pervader’)
He appears in the Øgveda as INDRA’s
younger brother, but emerges in epics
and Puräæas as the Supreme Being, with
the largest numerical following. He is
usually shown together with his consort
Ÿrï or LAKÆMÏ. He is essentially a saviour
god, called muktidätä. His worship is
joyous and often emotional.
Pictorially he is represented as having
a dark blue body, with four arms, holding
cakra (a discus, sign of world-power,
called Sudarÿana), gada (a mace, called
Kaumodakï), padma (a lotus), and
ÿaöka (a conch, called Pañca-janya). On
his breast is the curl called Ÿrïvatsa and
Vi•æu.
the jewel Kaustubha, on his wrist he
wears the jewel Syamantaka. Usually he
is represented standing or seated on a
lotus, with Lak•mï beside him. In some
temples he is also pictured lying on the
coils of ŸEÆA, the world snake, who represents
eternity. His VAHANA (vehicle) is
GARU¥A.
He is worshipped in a litany of thousand
names (sahasranäma). His most
popular names are Acyuta (‘unfallen’),
Ananta (‘infinite’), Caturbhuja (‘fourarmed’),
Hari, Hø•ïkeÿa (‘Lord of the
sense organs’), Janärdana (‘worshipped
by men’), Keÿava (‘the radiant’),
Lak•mïpati (‘husband of Lak•mï),
Madhusüdana (‘destroyer of the demon
Madhu’), Nära, Näräyana, Pitäƒbara
(‘clothed in yellow’), Puru•ottama (‘the
supreme person’), Vaikuntanäflha (‘lord
of heaven’), Yajñeÿvara (‘lord of sacrifice).
Since KØÆŒA is considered by his
followers not just as an avatära of Vi•æu
but Vi•æu appearing as such (svayam
bhagavän), the titles of Vi•æu and Kø•æa
are often used interchangeably.