Keshava Namas

According to Vaishnavas, Vishnu, the supreme god (सर्वोत्तम) has infinite names. 24 of these names of The lord are present in a group called ‘chaturvimshati keshava namas’

Etymology

The word keshava Namas refers to the 24 names of lord Vishnu the first of which is Keshava. It is often referred to as chaturvimshati namas (चतुर्विंशति नाम)

Background

The 24 Forms of vishnu seems to have been conceived in the Mahabharatha. Its Roopa and forms are first mentioned in Agni Purana, The Rūpamaṇḍana and the Aparājitapṛcchā.[1] Apart from these they are also mentioned in vaishnava puranas such as Bhagavata and Vishnu purana. The keshava namas were thus well established during the ancient period of hinduism

Usage

Iconography

The twenty-four varieties of standing Viṣṇu images symbolize his different visible forms. The only distinguishing point or difference between these images being merely the order of emblems held by the four hands, each variety deserves a separate description.[1]

The 24 Names of keshava namas[2]

Keshava

Keshava
Lakshmi’s Name Color of Lord Tattvas (Elements)
Sri Golden Aakasha (Sky/ Space)

Narayana

Narayana
Lakshmi’s Name Color of Lord Tattvas (Elements)
Lakshmi White Vayu (Air/Gas)

Madhava

maadhava
Lakshmi’s Name Color of Lord Tattvas (Elements)
Kamala Black Vahni (Fire/Light)

Govinda

Govinda

Main Article Govinda

Lakshmi’s Name Color of Lord Tattvas (Elements)
Padma Spatika (Crystal white) Apa (Water)

Vishnu

Vishnu

Main Article Vishnu

Lakshmi’s Name Color of Lord Tattvas (Elements)
padmini Padma Kesara (Yellow) Prithvi (Earth)

Madhusudana

Madhusudana

Main Article madhusudana

Lakshmi’s Name Color of Lord Tattvas (Elements)
Kamalalaya Red Shabda (Sound)

Trivikrama

trivikrama

Main Article trivikrama

a. AdhyAtma- Concerning the SELF (soul); b. Adhibhuta- Concerning five elements (panchabootha) pR^ithvi (Earth), appu (Water), tEjas (Fire), AkAsha (Sky) & vAyu (Air); c. Adhidaiva: Concerning divine deities.

Lakshmi’s Name Color of Lord Tattvas (Elements)
ramaa (Fire) Red Sparsha (Touch)

Vamana

Vamana

Main Article vamana

Lakshmi’s Name Color of Lord Tattvas (Elements)
Vrushaakapi Rising Sun (Red) Roopa (Sight/Light)

Shridara

Sridara

Main Article Sridara

Lakshmi’s Name Color of Lord Tattvas (Elements)
Dhanya White Rasa (Taste)

Hrishikesha

Hrishikesha

Main Article Hrishikesha

Lakshmi’s Name Color of Lord Tattvas (Elements)
Vruddhi Lightning (White) Gandha (Smell)

Padmanabha

Padmanabha

Main Article Padmanabha

Lakshmi’s Name Color of Lord Tattvas (Elements)
Yagna Black Vaak (Speech)

Damodara

Damodara

Main Article Daamodara

Lakshmi’s Name Color of Lord Tattvas (Elements)
Indira Red Paani (Hand)

Sankarshana

One who has both the powers of attraction and repulsion, Another name of Ananta Shesha (who is a part of Lord Vishnu) upon whom rests Lord Vishnu within the universe at Ksheera Sagara, One who is the Lord of Ahamkara (Individual Ego), Second amongst the fourfold manifestation (Chatur-Vyuha) of Lord Vishnu (i.e. Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha)

Vasudeva

One who resides (Vasu) in all living beings and in turn all living beings reside (Vasu) in him, One who is the Lord of Chitta (Subconscious mind), Foremost & Supreme amongst the fourfold manifestation (Chatur-Vyuha) of Lord Vishnu (i.e. Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha)

Pradyumna

One who is most wealthy, One who is most lovable, One who is the Lord of Buddhi (Intellect), Third amongst the fourfold manifestation (Chatur-Vyuha) of Lord Vishnu (i.e. Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha)

Aniruddha

One who is uncontrollable & unstoppable, One who is the Lord of Manas (Mind), Fourth amongst the fourfold manifestation (Chatur-Vyuha) of Lord Vishnu (i.e. Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha)

Purushottama

One who is the Supreme Purusha (Purusha + Uttama = Purushottama) or Supreme God, One who is the Supreme Purusha beyond the Kshara (Destroyable i.e. Prakṛti) and Akshara (Undestroyable i.e. Atman)

Adhokshaja

One who has eternal knowledge, One who is beyond knowledge acquired through the senses

Narasimha

Main Article Narasimha

One who took half lion-half man incarnation to protect his devotee Prahlada and to kill demon Hiranyakashipu

Achyuta

One who never loses his inherent nature and powers (i.e. One who is infallible)

Janardana

One who is protector of his devotees and destroyer of their enemies, One who is to be worshiped to get the wishes fulfilled (i.e. to be liberated from cycle of births and deaths)

Upendra

One who appeared as a younger brother of Indra in Vamana avatara

Hari

One who takes away (all the illusions, attachments, desires, pains & material existence of his devotees and destroys their material bondage i.e. gives them Moksha)

Krishna

One with most beautiful dark blue (water filled cloud) complexion, One who is attractive, one who enchants, One who took Krishna Avatara, One who is always in a state of Bliss (with his sport of creation etc.)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Dr. Kalpana Desai (31 December 2013). Iconography of Visnu. Abhinav Publications. pp. 10–. GGKEY:GSELHU3JH6D.
  2. Boovaraha, Upendran. "Chaturvimshadhi Roopa – 24 Keshavaadi Roopas of Lord Sriman Narayana". https://vicharavedike.wordpress.com. Upendran Boovaraha. Retrieved 25 April 2015. External link in |website= (help)
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