Based on the Agama Shastras referenced in the discourse, the Lord exists in five distinct states. The speaker uses the analogy of water (H₂O)—which can exist simultaneously as solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (steam)—to explain how the same Supreme Reality manifests in these five different modes.

Here are the five states of the Lord described in the sources:

1. Para (The Supreme Form) ✨

This is the Paraswarupam, the transcendental form of the Lord in His eternal abode, Paramapadam (Sri Vaikuntha).

• Characteristics: This is the state where He is eternally witnessed and enjoyed by the Nityasuris (eternal angels)
• Context in Sahasranamam: The first section of names (1–122) describes this state

2. Vyuha (The Emanations) 🔱

This is the form assumed for the purposes of creation, protection, and dissolution of the universe, and to make Himself available for worship by celestials like Brahma and Shiva.

• Forms: This state comprises four specific manifestations known as the Vyuha Murtis: Vasudeva, Sankarshana (responsible for dissolution), Pradyumna (responsible for creation), and Aniruddha (responsible for protection)
• Attributes: These forms are associated with six specific qualities (gunas): Jnana (Knowledge), Bala (Strength), Aishwarya (Sovereignty), Virya (Valor), Shakti (Power), and Tejas (Splendor)

3. Vibhava (The Incarnations) 🌈

This refers to the Avataras, where the Lord descends into the world to live among beings.

• Characteristics: In this state, He is born to a mother and father, grows, studies, marries, and lives like one of us to be accessible
• Examples: Manifestations such as Rama, Krishna, Vamana, and Narasimha fall into this category

4. Antaryami (The Inner Controller) 💫

This is the state where the Lord resides within every living being.

• Characteristics: He exists as the inner soul and witness within the heart of every Jeevatma (soul)

5. Archa (The Deity Form) 🏛️

This is the form of the Lord in temples and homes, accessible to our external eyes.

• Characteristics: The Lord descends into forms made of wood, stone, metal, or other materials. Through specific Mantras, He stays there permanently as the Divya Mangala Vigraha (Divine Auspicious Form) to accept worship
• Examples: The deities worshipped in holy places (Kshetras) such as Srirangam, Tirupati, Kanchipuram, Puri, and Pandharpur

(According to the Bhagavat Guna Darpanam of Parashara Bhatta)

Part 1: The Supreme & The Cosmic (Para & Vyuha) ✨

001 – 122: Para Swarupam (The Supreme Form) 🌟

Focus: The absolute definitions of the Lord (Vishwam, Vishnu), his transcendental nature, and his supremacy in Paramapadam (Vaikuntha).

123 – 146: Vyuha Murtis (The Cosmic Emanations) 🔱

Focus: The forms of Sankarshana (Knowledge/Strength), Pradyumna (Sovereignty/Valor), and Aniruddha (Power/Splendor) responsible for cosmic creation and dissolution.

Part 2: The Incarnations (Vibhava Avataras - I) 🌈

147 – 152: Mahavishnu / Trimurti 🌌

The root of the Trinity.

153 – 164: Vamana & Trivikrama 🦶

The Dwarf & The Giant.

165 – 187: General Auspicious Qualities 🙏

Accessible to devotees.

188 – 194: Hamsa Avatara 🦢

The Swan.

195 – 199: Padmanabha 🪷

The Lotus-Navelled One.

200 – 210: Narasimha Avatara 🦁

The Man-Lion.

211 – 225: Matsya Avatara 🐟

The Great Fish.

226 – 247: The Cosmic Architect 🏗️

Names related to Purusha Suktam/Creation.

248 – 257: The Lord of Relationships 💕

Antaryami/Inner Controller.

258 – 300: Dharma Incarnate ⚖️

Qualities of Righteousness and Blessings.

301 – 313: Vatapatrashayi 🍃

The Baby on the Banyan Leaf during Deluge.

314 – 321: Parashurama Avatara ⚔️

The Axe-Wielding Sage.

322 – 332: Kurma Avatara 🐢

The Tortoise & The Churning.

Part 3: The Manifestations & Elements 🌊

333 – 357: Vasudeva 🌍

The All-Pervading Lord.

358 – 389: Controllership ⚡

Controlling Nature, Time, and the Universe.

390 – 421: Rama Avatara 🏹

The Ideal Man & Destroyer of Ravana.

422 – 435: Kalki Avatara ⚔️

The Future Warrior of Kali Yuga.

436 – 445: Simshumara Chakra ⭐

The Lord of the Stellar Constellations.

446 – 450: Yagya Swarupam 🔥

The Lord as the Sacrifice.

451 – 463: Nara-Narayana 🧘‍♂️

The Divine Sages of Badrinath.

464 – 470: Mohini & Amrita Mathana 💃

The Churning of Nectar.

471 – 527: Dharma & The Power of Names 📿

Various attributes of sustainer.

528 – 537: Kapila Avatara 🧙‍♂️

The Propounder of Sankhya.

538 – 540: Varaha Avatara 🐗

The Boar who lifted the Earth.

541 – 574: The Auspicious & The Healer 💊

Includes Dhanvantari attributes.

575 – 589: Vyasa Avatara 📚

The Compiler of Vedas.

590 – 606: The Goal of Yoga 🧘

The destination of Sadhana.

Part 4: The Divine Couple & The Temple Forms 💎

607 – 629: Sri-Pati 👑

The Lord in union with Goddess Mahalakshmi.

630 – 696: Archavatara 🏛️

The Deity Forms in Temples. Includes references to specific temples like Srirangam, Tirupati, Puri, etc.

Part 5: Krishna - The Purna Avatara 🪈

697 – 770: Krishna Avatara 💙

The massive section dedicated to Krishna's birth, pranks, and role in Mahabharata.

771 – 786: Vyuha in Krishna 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Chaturmurti – The expansion of Krishna into family forms.

Part 6: Salvation & Conclusion 🕊️

787 – 810: Buddha Avatara 🧘‍♀️

Interpreted as the Deluder of the Wicked to restore Dharma.

811 – 880: The Protector of the Good 🛡️

Satvikas, Ashtama Siddhis, and Yogis.

881 – 891: Archiradi Margam ✨

The Path of Light taken by the Soul to Moksha.

892 – 911: Paramapadam 🏰

Description of the Eternal Abode/Vaikuntha.

912 – 945: Gajendra Moksha 🐘

The Salvation of the Elephant King.

946 – 989: The Universal Father 👨‍👧‍👦

General protective qualities and Yagya again.

990 – 1000: The Five Weapons & Conclusion ⚔️🏹🛡️

Focus: The Lord holding the Conch, Sword, Discus, Bow, and Mace to protect the devotee, culminating in Sarva Praharana Yudhah (The One ready with all weapons).

This systematic organization reveals the genius of Parashara Bhatta's approach - the thousand names are not random praises but a carefully crafted spiritual journey that takes the devotee from the highest philosophical understanding of the Supreme (Para) through the cosmic manifestations (Vyuha), down to the accessible temple forms (Archa), and finally to the path of liberation.

Each section builds upon the previous, creating a complete theological framework that encompasses every aspect of divine manifestation and devotee relationship with the Lord.

Vishnu Sahasranamam Commentary Discussion

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.