The four hands of Vishnu
- Express control over the four directions
- Symbolize the four stages 'Ashrams' (phases) of a man's life
- Signify the four aims of life 'Dharma' (Duty and Virtue), 'Artha' (Wealth), 'Kama' (Pleasure) and 'Moksha' (Spiritual Liberation)
- Represent the four Vedas
Each hand holds the following implements:
- Shankha (Conch): symbolizes the Universal creative note, ancient Hindu mythology links it to 'OM'
- Sudarshan Chakra (Discus): identified with the human mind. Thoughts, like the Chakra, flow faster than light. It also symbolizes cyclic nature of existence.
- Gada (Mace): A mighty demon named Gada wreaked havoc on the world. Gada was a great warrior and equally known for his charity. Lord Vishnu approached Gada disguised as a Brahman and asked for his bones. Gada immediately tore open his body and pulled out his bones. From these bones the celestial mace was made. In his honor the mace is referred to as 'Gada'
- Padma (Lotus): signifies the ideal of detachment. Lotus grows in muddy waters, neither water nor dirt can stick to its petals. Likewise man must lead his life in the grime of this world detached from greed and lust.
Thus Vishnu can be summarized as 'The One' on whose palm the world and its virtues rest like a lotus, the cosmos revolves around his finger like a discus. He blows the music of life through the conch and wields the mace to protect all creatures.
Popular imagery of Vishnu depicts him in 'Ananta-Shayan' a dreamlike state reclining upon a mighty serpent 'SheshNaga' floating upon the primordial waters 'Khirsagar'. The waters can be identified with consciousness on which the divine spark of energy controlling the five pronged senses is engaged in the yoga of inaction
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