By 
No time for reading the story? Give it a listen on Spotify.
In the grand cosmic tale, Vishnu, the supreme creator, manifests as three purusha avataars, Karanodakasayi, Garbhodakasayi, and Kshirodakshayi, guiding the evolution of the material universe and embodying different aspects of existence and energy.
Characters in the story:
Lord Vishnu: Lord Vishnu is one of the three major deities in Hinduism, known as the preserver of the universe and the protector of dharma (righteousness). He is often depicted with four arms holding a conch shell, a discus, a mace, and a lotus flower.
According to Vishnu and Bhagwata Purana, Vishnu, known as the param brahma, is the original creator of both the spiritual and material dimensions. He exists beyond the material world but manifests himself as the purusha avataars in the material dimension to facilitate evolution.
The first of these purusha avataars is Karanodakasayi, also called Maha Vishnu. He lies in the ocean of causes, and with each breath, numerous universes emanate and reabsorb from the pores of his body like golden eggs. Maha Vishnu is considered the guna avataar of satva, as he permanently exists in the material world beyond creation and annihilation. This causal ocean is also known as mahat tatva, the primordial formless form of the material energy, Viraaj, or eternal Time, represented by mother Kali.
In each universe, the next purusha avataar, Garbhodakasayi, emerges and rests at the bottom of space. From the lake of his navel, a lotus flower grows and occupies the entire space of that particular universe. Brahma is born from this lotus with a fully developed body made of creative energy, as the second guna avataar (controlling rajas). Meditating on Vishnu through tapasya, Brahma proceeds to create all the planetary systems and various species from his own body. He generates his manasa putras as prajapatis, imbued with similar bodies made of creative energy, to populate the planets with diverse life forms. This process is beyond the comprehension of those with a mechanistic mindset who attempt to explain devas as powerful alien beings.
Upon the formation of all the planetary systems, the third purusha avataar, Kshirodakshayi, appears. He reclines on the island of Svetadveep in the milk ocean on planet Dhruvaloka, which corresponds to the constellation known as Ursa Major in Vedic astronomy. This planet is also called Prapanchika Vaikunta, serving as an embassy for the spiritual world, where beings from this universe can visit Vishnu. During severe attacks on the universe, Brahma takes the Devas to Prapanchika Vaikunta to seek Vishnu’s help.
Kshirodakshayi Vishnu also expands into unlimited forms as antaryami parmatama, residing within the hearts of all beings, including molecules and atoms. He assumes the form of Shiva Mahadeva, the third guna avataar, tamas, and produces the ahankaar element, the origin of the concept of duality or mahamaya.
Vishnu’s manifestations as the purusha avataars guide the evolution of the material world, while his presence as the antaryami parmatama within all beings reveals the interconnectedness of the spiritual and material dimensions.
