VISHNU

Vishnu is God who organizes the world. Vishnu introduces rhythm into nature so that all the changes of Brahmanda become predictable, hence manageable. With rhythm come waves and troughs. For Vishnu therefore the Goddess has tow forms: Lakshmi, the desirable one, and Alaksimi, the undesirable one. Lashmi is the fertile and auspicious wave of nature - the day, the waxing moon, the high tide, the spring, the rains and the harvests. Alakshmi is the barren, inauspicious trough of nature - the night, the waning moon, the low tide, the hot, dry summers and the bitter-cold winters.

Vishnu also domesticates nature to establish culture. Within culture, man can look beyond survival and explore his potential. He can generate wealth and create art. Society comes with rules and regulations, roles and responsibilities, milestones that give life direction and standards that create hierarchy. At the top of the hierarchy is Lakshmi, all that society admires. Below is Alakshmi, all that society shuns.

myth = mythya

A Handbook of Hindu Mythology

Dr Devdutt Pattanaik