The term "SPA" is used as a concise mnemonic device to represent the three primary forms of the Supreme Purusha (Narayana) in the Vyuha manifestation, which are responsible for the operations of the cosmos.

The concept of SPA relates to the Vyuha state (Vyuha Vasudeva), which is the second of the five states of Bhagavan.

The acronym SPA stands for the three Vyuha Murtis (forms of the Lord) that emerge from the Supreme Being when He is deployed for cosmic activities:

Memory Aid: If one remembers the acronym SPA, they can easily recall Sankarshana, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha.

The Vyuha Murtis are manifestations of the Supreme Lord, appearing during the creation process (Srishti Kramam).

The Process of Manifestation

1. 🏛️ Para State

Initially, the Lord exists as Para Vasudeva in Vaikuntha (the first state).

2. 🔄 Vyuha State Transition

When Para Vasudeva determines to engage in cosmic activities, He transforms into Vyuha Vasudeva. This Vyuha state is where the Lord is deployed in creation, sustenance, and dissolution.

3. 🌈 Bifurcation

Vyuha Vasudeva then bifurcates or splits into three forms:

• Sankarshana
• Pradyumna
• Aniruddha

4. 👑 The Four Forms

These three, combined with Vyuha Vasudeva, constitute the four Vyuha Murtis:

1. Vasudeva
2. Sankarshana
3. Pradyumna
4. Aniruddha

📊 The Hierarchy

This hierarchy demonstrates the descent of the Purusha from the highest reality (Para Vasudeva) to the active forms necessary for creation and maintenance:

Para Vasudeva (Vaikuntha)
         ↓
Vyuha Vasudeva (Deployment State)
         ↓
   ┌────┴────┬────────┐
   │         │        │
Sankarshana Pradyumna Aniruddha

The duties of these three Murtis are defined by the six divine Gunas (qualities) they possess. These qualities are distributed two to each Murti:

The sequence of Sankarshana, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha (Dissolution, Creation, Sustenance) illustrates the cyclic nature of Sanatana Dharma, contrasting with linear concepts of life.

⚖️ Why This Order?

The order is crucial and reveals a profound truth:

1. 🌑 Dissolution (Sankarshana) comes first because for dissolution to occur, there must have been a creation preceding it, which maintains the continuous, cyclical nature of existence.

2. 🌟 Creation (Pradyumna) follows dissolution - From the dissolved elements, new creation emerges.

3. 🛡️ Sustenance (Aniruddha) maintains the newly created worlds - Protection and preservation of what has been created.

🔗 Connection to Purusha Suktam

Aniruddha is particularly significant in the context of the Purusha Suktam, as the Purusha in the fourth mantra is denoted as Aniruddha Narayana, who sustains the created world.

📐 The Quarter and Three-Quarters

The creation that Aniruddha sustains (the entire universe) is merely one-quarter (padomshaha) of the Lord's total creation, with the remaining three-fourths residing in Vaikuntha.

This profound concept means:

• 25% - The material universe we perceive
• 75% - The transcendent realm of Vaikuntha

The five states of Bhagavan, which include the Vyuha Murtis, can be compared to the states of H₂O:

Just as water (H₂O) exists in solid (ice), liquid (water), and gaseous (vapor) states, the Lord exists simultaneously in five states (Para, Vyuha, Vibhava, Antaryami, Archa) to fulfill different functions for the benefit of His creation.

🎯 The Vyuha State Analogy

The Vyuha state (Sankarshana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha) is the working, deploying, and maintaining state, akin to the liquid or gaseous form of water being used for specific purposes like drinking or steaming in a spa (coincidentally matching our SPA acronym!).

The SPA mnemonic beautifully encapsulates the three Vyuha Murtis—Sankarshana (Dissolution), Pradyumna (Creation), and Aniruddha (Sustenance)—who are the active manifestations of the Supreme Purusha responsible for cosmic operations. Each possesses two of the six divine Gunas (Knowledge-Strength, Ownership-Unalterability, Power-Splendor), perfectly equipping them for their respective functions.

The cyclic order—beginning with Dissolution—reflects the eternal, beginningless nature of Sanatana Dharma, where creation perpetually emerges from dissolution, is sustained, and dissolves again. This cycle occurs in the one-quarter of reality we perceive, while three-quarters of the Lord's creation remains in the transcendent realm of Vaikuntha.

Understanding the Vyuha state helps us comprehend how the Supreme Being, while remaining transcendent as Para Vasudeva, simultaneously engages in the active governance of the cosmos through these specialized forms—much like water adapting to different states while remaining fundamentally H₂O.

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzCWeIKtGHU&list=PLUCe17-wlYr-zIRfRt1m6fyPy2r-wjcXJ

These articles are based on discourses by Sri Dushyanth Sridhar, who renders discourses in English & Tamil on Rāmāyana, Mahābhārata, Bhāgavata, Vishnu Purāna, Bhagavad Gitā, Vishnu Sahasranāma, and Divya Prabanda in the upanyāsam, pravachanam, or kālakshepam style. Visit https://desikadaya.org for more information. These notes are presented solely for educational purposes to help viewers download and benefit from these teachings. Any incorrect interpretations or inaccuracies are mine and unintentional—please forgive me. For any feedback, please send an email.