LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM 266-267

Goptri (266) She is the protector, sustaining this universe. Protection is the second act of the Brahman. Protection is Her satvic guna. Light and harmony are the qualities of satva guna. She not only protects but also nurtures this universe. After all She is the Divine Mother. Protecting and nurturing are the holy duties of a mother. Govinda-rupini (267) Govinda is Vishnu. Vishnu is the protector of this universe. When you need health, wealth and prosperity you have to worship Vishnu. Vishnu should not be worshipped alone to get material prosperity and should be worshipped along with His consort Lakshmi and this form is known as Lakshmi Narayana. This form is considered as the most auspicious form. If one needs to get rid of some difficulties, one has to pray Lakshmi Narasimha form of Vishnu. Narasimaha form of Vishnu is considered as the terrible form, otherwise Vishnu is considered as the most auspicious God. Vishnu is known through Vedas and Upanishads. ‘Go’ means ‘vak’ or words. Since the qualities of Vishnu cannot be described by words He is called Govinda. ‘Go’ also means earth. Since He sustains the earth, He is called Govinda. When the great dissolution took place (refer nama 232), Vishnu lifted and saved the earth (earth is only a part of the universe) from water that prevailed everywhere. Because He saved the earth, He is called Govinda. In Vishnu Sahasranamam the nama ‘Govinda’ appears twice viz. namas 187 and 539. Since Vishnu sustains the universe, let us know more about Him. Vishnu administers the universe, which has seven worlds. These seven worlds are the seven vyahritis of Gayatri mantra. In fact these worlds represent the seven mental planes of human consciousness, from macro level to micro levels. The lower level of consciousness is the lowest world and the highest micro level of consciousness is called the upper world. Unless the level of consciousness undergoes modifications and refinement, Self-realization is not possible. Vishnu administers this universe based on the “Law of Karma”. He cannot and will not bypass this law even by a fraction of an inch. The worlds that He administers have different predominant aspects. For example, in earth matter is predominant. The higher planes have life energies, emotional energies, and mental energies. The level of energies that prevails in these seven worlds becomes subtle and refined from the gross level (association with matter) as you traverse these worlds towards the highest. Vishnu is known for his ‘sayanam’ or the yogic sleep. This famous posture means that all pervading Vishnu rests on the blissful ocean of eternal existence. Vishnu means all pervading. Sri Aurobindo says “Vishnu paces out the vast framework of the inner worlds in which our soul-action takes place. It is by Him and with Him that we rise into His highest seats where we find waiting for us the Friend, the Beloved and Beatific (bestowing celestial Joy) Godhead’. This celestial joy is known as bliss. She is in the form of Govinda (Vishnu).