The symbolism of Vishnu (Continued)

In an earlier blog, I had talked about the significance of the 4 arms of Vishnu. This blog continues on that and gives a different interpretation.

Lord Vishnu holds a lotus flower, a conch, a mace and a discus in his 4 arms.

Now, each of us gets a wakening call sometime in life. The wakening call comes from within, a feeling as to what we are doing, why we are doing this, and a need for a higher purpose in life. For some of us, the calling could be very strong which makes us give up everything and devote ourselves to a different and higher cause. Have we not heard of many instances of total change in people? At a grosser level, did we not see Warren Buffet donate all he had to charity?  This calling is the conch of Vishnu. The conch always blows to remind us of the needed change in our lives. It is up to us to heed the inner calling or not heed it and go about our usual way.

If we do not heed the inner call and continue in our mad race to nowhere, the next is Vishnu’s mace. We can continue with our usual tension filled lives, going constantly after material objects and feeling frustrated that all the material objects we are acquiring are not helping us find peace, but are actually creating more problems. For most of us, this is the beginning of symptoms like hypertension, blood pressure etc. This is just a warning sign that our way of life is not conducive to a peaceful existence.

The next thing is the discuss or the chakra. If we continue ignoring symptoms of hypertension, blood pressure etc., we know the implications. Again, most of us get a physical cure for these symptoms without solving the underlying reason for unrest in our lives which is arising by our constant thirst for gratification through sense objects. But the physical cure is temporary and can lead to fatal consequences like a stroke or a heart attack. This is the Vishnu Chakra which destroys.

The last thing in his arms is the lotus flower. The lotus is a beautiful flower and it signifies peace. As most would know, the lotus grows in swamps and blooms in the midst of filth. This signifies that even in the midst of all the daily tensions, problems etc., it is possible for us to realize peace if we hear the inner calling.

As readers may be aware, 3 of my books on spirituality are available on Amazon.com.

I invite readers of my blog to try any of the books and give me feedback so that I can make changes in the next edition.


1. My Humble Understanding  Of Spirituality


My Humble Understanding Of Spirituality

2. Attain Infinite Bliss

Attain Infinite Bliss - A Spiritual Guide

3. The Spirit Of Spirituality

The Spirit Of Spirituality