The chaturvimshatimurti (Sanskrit: चतुर्विंशतिमूर्ति, romanized: Caturviṃśatimūrti, lit. 'twenty-four forms')[1] is the representation of twenty-four aspects of the deity Vishnu in Hindu iconography.[2] These aspects are described to represent the central tenets of the Pancharatra tradition. They are believed to be the most significant of the thousand names of the deity featured in the Vishnu Sahasranama.[3] The names of these aspects of the deity are ritually chanted in daily prayer by adherents.[4]

Literature

The twenty-four forms of Vishnu seem to have been conceived in the Mahabharata. His forms are first mentioned in Agni Purana, the Rūpamaṇḍana, and the Aparājitapṛcchā.[5] They are also mentioned in Vaishnava Puranas such as the Bhagavata Purana and the Vishnu Purana.

Usage

  • The achamanam is a ritual where these names are used while simultaneously touching the numerous parts of the body to purify them.
  • The names form an important part of the Bhakti tradition, with saints such as Purandara Dasa having sung many devotional songs in their praise.

Iconography

The chaturvimshatimurti are all represented as standing and holding the four attributes of Vishnu: the Sudarshana Chakra (discus), Panchajanya (conch), Kaumodaki (mace), and Padma (lotus). Symbolising the deity's different visible forms, the only difference between these images is the order of the emblems held by his four hands.[5] All of the forms wear the kiritamukuta, the crown of Vishnu, and the traditional ornaments of the deity. They stand upon the base of a lotus (padmasana). According to Gopinatha Rao, the distribution of the four attributes among the four hands of each form are to be observed in a circular fashion, from the upper right hand to the upper left hand, and then from the lower left hand to the lower right hand.[3]

The Rupamandana provides the following description of the chaturvimshatimurti:[6]

Name Colour Attributes Element Consort
Keshava Gold conch, discus, mace, lotus Akasha (space) Sri
Narayana White lotus, mace, discus, conch Vayu (air) Lakshmi
Madhava Black discus, conch, lotus, mace Vahni (fire) Kamala
Govinda Crystal mace, lotus, conch, discus Apa (water) Padma
Vishnu Yellow lotus, conch, discus, mace Prithvi (earth) Padmini
Madhusudana Red conch, lotus, mace, discus Shabda (sound) Kamalalaya
Trivikrama Red (fire) mace, discus, conch, lotus Sparsha (touch) Ramā
Vamana Red (dawn) discus, mace, lotus, conch Rupa (sight) Vrishakapi
Sridhara White discus, mace, conch, lotus Rasa (taste) Dhanya
Hrishikesha White (lightning) discus, lotus, conch, lotus Gandha (smell) Vriddhi
Padmanabha Black lotus, discus, mace, conch Vāc (speech) Yajña
Damodara Red conch, mace, discus, lotus Pāṇin (hand) Indira
Samkarshana Red conch, lotus, discus, mace Pāda (feet) Hiranya
Vasudeva White conch, discus, lotus, mace Pāyu (anus) Harani
Pradyumna Gold conch, mace, lotus, discus Upastha (genitals) Satya
Aniruddha Black mace, conch, lotus, discus Shrota (ears) Nitya
Purushottama Crystal lotus, conch, mace, discus Tvaca (skin) Nanda
Adhokshaja Black mace, conch, discus, lotus Netra (eyes) Treya
Narasimha Gold lotus, mace, conch, discus Jihvā (tongue) Sukha
Achyuta Yellow lotus, discus, conch, mace Ghrana (nose) Sugandha
Janardana Red discus, conch, mace, lotus Manas (mind) Sundari
Upendra Black mace, discus, lotus, conch Buddhi (intellect) Vidya
Hari Yellow discus, lotus, mace, conch Ahamkāra (ego) Sushila
Krishna Black mace, lotus, discus, conch Chit (consciousness) Sulakshana

See also

References

  1. ↑ Raju, Kalidos. "Caturviṃśati-Mūrti forms of Viṣṇu Additional notes on Daśāvatāra and Dvādaśa" – via Academia. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ↑ Chugh, Lalit (2017-05-23). Karnataka's Rich Heritage – Temple Sculptures & Dancing Apsaras: An Amalgam of Hindu Mythology, Natyasastra and Silpasastra. Notion Press. p. 106. ISBN 978-1-947137-36-3.
  3. 1 2 Stutley, Margaret (1985). The Illustrated Dictionary of Hindu Iconography. Routledge. p. 31.
  4. ↑ Rao, T. A. Gopinatha (2020-04-06). Elements of Hindu Iconography: Volume I - Part I. BoD – Books on Demand. p. 227. ISBN 978-3-8460-4766-8.
  5. 1 2 Dr. Kalpana Desai (31 December 2013). Iconography of Visnu. Abhinav Publications. pp. 10–. GGKEY:GSELHU3JH6D.
  6. ↑ Rao, T. A. Gopinatha (1985). Elements of Hindu Iconography. Vol. 1. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 229–230.
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