Page 20 - History of Tirupathi Balaji and comparison of Sri Vaishnava

in the ocean of milk in the material world. There is a description of the third
Vishnu incarnation in the Caitanya Caritamrta, There, in part of the ocean of milk,
lies Svetadvipa, the abode of the sustainer, Lord Visnu. The location of this Vaikuntha
(eternal) planet in the material world is further described in the astrological text, Siddhanta-
siromani: “The different oceans are described as follows: (1) the ocean of salt water, (2)
the ocean of milk, (3) the ocean of yogurt, (4) the ocean of clarifi ed butter, (5) the ocean of
sugarcane juice, (6) the ocean of liquor and (7) the ocean of sweet water. On the southern
side of the ocean of salt water is the ocean of milk, where Lord KsirodakaSayi Visnu resides.
He is worshiped there by demigods like Brahma. (CC Adi 5.111-112) In the Srimad-
Bhagavatam (11.15.18), it is described, My dear Uddhava, you may know that My
transcendental form of Visnu in Svetadvipa is identical with Me in divinity. Anyone who
places this Lord of Svetadvipa within his heart can surpass the pangs of the six material
tribulations: hunger, thirst, birth, death, lamentation and illusion. Thus one can attain his
original, transcendental form.
This third Vishnu incarnation is also the source of more incarnations: In
the ages and millenniums of Manu, “He appears as different incarnations to
establish the principles of real religion and vanquish the principles of irreligion.”
(CC Adi 113) This Lord Vishnu who lies in the ocean of milk incarnates Himself
in various forms to maintain the laws of the cosmos and annihilate the causes of
disturbance.
Worship of Lord Vishnu inspires one to be tolerant and peaceful
It is said one’s greatness is estimated by the ability to tolerate provoking
situations. In contrast, Brahma and Siva lost their peaceful attitude upon a slight
provocation. This indicates they would have diffi culty inspiring their admirers
to maintain peace and tranquility. Lord Vishnu, who is a plenary (complete)
expansion of Lord Krishna, is the supreme friend of every living entity. One
who accepts Him as such can attain peace from the pangs of material miseries.
Lord Krishna affi rms this, A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the
ultimate benefi ciary of all sacrifi ces and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and
demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the
pangs of material miseries.) (Bg 5.29)
Lord Vishnu is never affected by the material activities of this world. The
Lord is not subject to the laws of karma (action and reaction). The person who
understands this transcendental nature of the Lord can become free of the
oppressive laws of karma. One who does not know the transcendental nature
of the Lord and who thinks that the activities of the Lord are aimed at selfi sh
material results, as are the activities of the ordinary living entities, certainly
becomes entangled himself in karmic reactions. But one who knows the truth
about Lord Vishnu is a liberated soul fi xed in the determination to serve the
Supreme Lord. This is affi rmed by Lord Krishna, There is no work that affects Me;
nor do I aspire for the fruits of action. One who understands this truth about Me also does
not become entangled in the fruitive reactions of work.(Bg 4.14)
Bhrigu Muni’s great service for the sages and the demigods
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