As mentioned in the part 1 of this article, Vishnu is the ultimate omnipresent reality and one of the most important Gods among the Trinity and is generally shown either in the standing position or lying on top of the snake Anantha with lakshmi, his consort serving him at his feet. Can you visualize this scene among the young couple of these days, the wife serving at the feet of her husband? May be even the middle aged or the old couples may not be doing it. What does this signify?
Let us try to understand the symbolic significance of this picture. Vishnu is lying on the serpent called Anantha. Anantha means endless and depicts time. Lakshmi personifies wealth, riches, beauty, loveliness, grace, charm, splendour, peace and auspiciousness. All of us are running behind Lakshmi, day in and day out, relentlessly with single minded purpose of making more and more money. Most of the wars, fights, disputes, legal cases, murders, corruption, political manoeuvres, etc are all because of money. And here you see, the same Lakshmi serving the Lord with all her attention and devotion! How we can achieve the same in our life is the message that we get from this noble picture! (Not as somebody said that this picture represents male chauvinism)
The serpent Anantha represents thoughts, endless thoughts that pass through our minds all the time. That is why it has thousand hoods symbolising thousands and thousands of thoughts passing through our minds at any given time. In many pictures, the serpent is shown with five hoods, which represents our five senses, hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting and touching, based on which our thoughts are generated. But observe the way the serpent is lying down. It is coiled and the hoods are looking inwards, towards the God. A serpent on the move and looking for prey will not be coiled and will be looking outwards. This signifies that to achieve success and glory in life one should control all the five senses and focus inwards, towards the God, which is always within you!
For Lakshmi to serve you, you have to be Vishnu, and how can one be Vishnu. Vishnu is the protector of the universe and destroys “adharma” whenever it arises. Each of his avatars, from Fish to Kalki, is to protect the world from adharma. Vishnu is always working, never on vacation, even though he doesn’t need to do anything for himself! How about you? Do you fight against injustice, raise your voice when you see one, if not you are far from being Vishnu. Let your ideals and objectives in life be the highest, to serve the society, to serve God, then money will be at your disposal!
A very thought provoking description of Lord Vishnu, his consort Goddess Laksmi and Anantha. I also came across this proverb which I feel apt to share here –
Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of its filling a vacuum, it makes one.
– Benjamin Franklin
In the picture I can see Bhrama seated on a Lotus immerging out of Vishnu’s navel.
What does this signify?
I still remember your words on how one has to treat her husband with respect and care.
Also the Ananda Shayanam painting @ your place. Thanks for sharing the wisdom.
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You Said ” For Lakshmi to serve you, you have to be Vishnu, and how can one be Vishnu. Vishnu is the protector of the universe and destroys “adharma” whenever it arises”.
In the modern world, all the corrupt netas and babus has all the wealth and they continue to enjoy that. I don’t think the wealth they posses is short-lived either.
Could you please throw some light on this….
Lakshmi gives you 16 types of wealth that includes peace of mind and good children. You only have to ask any politician whether they have these two to understand that the wealth they have is not given by lakshmi but a Devil or demon or such negative forces.