A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
205 Viÿvämitra<br />
His community is divided into a<br />
great many different saƒpradäyas<br />
(sects). The most characteristic feature<br />
<strong>of</strong> Vi•æu is his appearance in the form <strong>of</strong><br />
AVATÄRAS (incarnations), whose most<br />
prominent are RÄMA and Kø•æa. A rich<br />
mythology has been created around<br />
Vi•æu as well as a sophisticated theology.<br />
(See also RÄMÄNUJA, VAIÆŒAVAS,<br />
VIŸIÆfiÄDVAITA.)<br />
Vi•æu Puräæa<br />
The Puräæa dealing with Vi•æu, his<br />
AVATÄRAS, his legends, his worship etc.<br />
It is one <strong>of</strong> the oldest (fifth century CE?)<br />
and best corresponds to the definition<br />
<strong>of</strong> a Puräæa as dealing with five subjects<br />
(pañcalak•ana): primary creation, secondary<br />
creation, genealogies <strong>of</strong> gods<br />
and patriarchs, reigns <strong>of</strong> MANU (2), history.<br />
It is very popular among Hindus<br />
and considered ÿruti (revelation) by<br />
many VAIÆŒAVAS.<br />
Vi•æu-gupta<br />
Minister <strong>of</strong> Candragupta Maurya<br />
(322–298 BCE), usually identified with<br />
CÄNAKYA (or Kauflilya), the celebrated<br />
author <strong>of</strong> the Kaufliliya Arthaÿästra.<br />
Vi•æu-sahasra-näma<br />
(‘thousand names <strong>of</strong> Vi•æu’)<br />
A litany <strong>of</strong> a thousand names or titles <strong>of</strong><br />
Vi•æu, found in the Mahäbhärata and<br />
several Puräæas. It has been commented<br />
upon by ŸA¢KARA (2) and by PARÄŸARA<br />
Bhaflfla, and is <strong>of</strong>ten recited in VAIÆŒAVA<br />
worship. The Cäraka Saƒhitä, a work<br />
on medicine, recommends recitation <strong>of</strong><br />
the Vi•æusahasranäma in cases where<br />
medical remedies no longer help and in<br />
former times it was recited during childbirth.<br />
Vi•æu-smøti<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the older, authoritative codes <strong>of</strong> law.<br />
Vi•æu-svämi (1200–50)<br />
Founder <strong>of</strong> the Rudra (VAIÆŒAVA)<br />
saƒpradäya (sect).<br />
Viÿva Hindü Pari•ad<br />
(‘Universal Hindu Assembly’)<br />
A movement founded in 1964 by about<br />
150 Hindu religious leaders in Bombay<br />
to reawaken Hindu consciousness<br />
(Hindu jagaran) and to bring about<br />
worldwide co-operation among Hindus.<br />
It also attempts to articulate a common<br />
platform for <strong>Hinduism</strong>, to modernize<br />
the Hindu tradition and to give political<br />
power in India back to Hindus. It supports<br />
Hindu political parties and has<br />
held several major public events to draw<br />
attention to Hindu concerns. It is very<br />
active in the Hindu diaspora and has<br />
attracted the support <strong>of</strong> leading figures<br />
in economy and culture.<br />
Viÿva-karma (1) (‘all-maker’)<br />
A Vedic deva, who is addressed in two<br />
hymns as ‘all-seeing, mighty in mind<br />
and power, the father who made us, the<br />
one above the seven ø•is (sages).’<br />
Viÿva-karma (2)<br />
The architect, engineer and master<br />
craftsman <strong>of</strong> the gods, the author <strong>of</strong><br />
Viÿvakarmavästuÿästra.<br />
Viÿvämitra<br />
A celebrated figure who, though born as<br />
a KÆATRIYA, rose to brahminhood<br />
through intense tapas (self-mortification)<br />
and became one <strong>of</strong> the SAPTAØÆIS (Seven<br />
Sages). He was the arch rival <strong>of</strong><br />
VASIÆfiHA, another Mahar•i (Great Sage).<br />
Viÿvamitra is the sage <strong>of</strong> the third<br />
maæõala <strong>of</strong> the Øgveda, which contains<br />
the famous gäyatrï, Vasi•flha that <strong>of</strong> the<br />
seventh. Both were at some time purohitas<br />
(family priests) <strong>of</strong> the famous King<br />
SUDÄS. The epics and Puräæas contain<br />
many stories about the enmity between<br />
Viÿvamitra and Vasi•flha.