Garbhodakaśāyī Vishnu is an expansion of
Mahavishnu
Mahavishnu (Sanskrit: महाविष्णु) is an aspect of Vishnu, the principal deity in Vaishnavism. In his capacity as Mahavishnu, the deity is known as the Supreme Purusha, the absolute protector and sustainer of the universe, th ...
. In
Gaudīya Vaishnavism, the Sātvata-tantra describes three different forms of Vishnu as:
Mahāvishnu, Garbhodakaśāyī Vishnu and
Ksirodakaśāyī Vishnu (
Paramātmā). Each form has a different role in the maintenance of the Universe and its inhabitants.
The commentary on the
Bhagavad Gita describes this form of Vishnu:
In
Srimad Bhagavatam, this is explained as:
Kāraṇārṇavaśāyī Viṣṇu is the first incarnation of the Supreme Lord, and He is the master of eternal time, space, cause and effects, mind, the elements, the material ego, the modes of nature, the senses, the universal form of the Lord, Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, and the sum total of all living beings, both moving and non-moving.
Garbhodhakaśāyī Vishnu is an expansion or overload of
Mahavishnu
Mahavishnu (Sanskrit: महाविष्णु) is an aspect of Vishnu, the principal deity in Vaishnavism. In his capacity as Mahavishnu, the deity is known as the Supreme Purusha, the absolute protector and sustainer of the universe, th ...
(expansion of
Saṃkarṣaṇa
Saṃkarṣaṇa (IAST , "The Plougher") later known as Balarama, was a son of Vasudeva Anakadundubhi, king of the Vrishnis in the region of Mathura. He was a leading member of the Vrishni heroes, and may well have been an ancient historical rul ...
of second caturvyūha, which expands from
Nārāyaṇa in
Vaikuṇṭhaloka). Garbhodhakaśāyī Vishnu is realized as the form of
Pradyumna
Pradyumna ( sa, प्रद्युम्न) is the eldest son of the Hindu deities Krishna and his chief consort, Rukmini. He is considered to be one of the four vyuha avatars of Vishnu. According to the Bhagavata Purana, Pradyumna was ...
within the material universe. He is the father of Brahmā who appeared from His navel and hence Garbhodakashayi Vishnu is also called
Hiraņyagarbha.
See also
*
Narayana
Narayana (Sanskrit: नारायण, IAST: ''Nārāyaṇa'') is one of the forms and names of Vishnu, who is in yogic slumber under the celestial waters, referring to the masculine principle. He is also known as Purushottama, and is co ...
*
Mahavishnu
Mahavishnu (Sanskrit: महाविष्णु) is an aspect of Vishnu, the principal deity in Vaishnavism. In his capacity as Mahavishnu, the deity is known as the Supreme Purusha, the absolute protector and sustainer of the universe, th ...
*
Govinda
Govinda (), also rendered Govind and Gobind, is an epithet of Vishnu which is also used for his avatars such as Krishna. The name appears as the 187th and the 539th name of Vishnu in '' Vishnu Sahasranama''. The name is also popularly addresse ...
References
External links
That Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, by His plenary parts, should be rendered devotional service(Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram)
{{Legendary progenitors
Forms of Vishnu
Vaishnavism
Vedanta