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this final goal. A conch shell spreads the primordial wordAUMand reminds us of the noble goals of life that are related to the dharma and the inner self. A discus or chakra (wheel) represents the cycle of time, which we strive to break through moksha or liberation. Vishnu also carries a mace which he uses to help lift up the fallen and to knock down the evil forces within us that steer us from the right path. |
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Vishnu has nine avatars (manifestations) that he sent to earth to defeat evil and protect the law of dharma at various times during the earth's existence. The avatars are an expression of the cycle of evolution and the evolution within man that must take place to realize moksha. The first avatar was a fish, the seventh was Rama, the eighth was Krishna, and the ninth avatar was the Buddha, who spread the principle of non-violence. A tenth avatar is yet to come. |
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Vishnu is often depicted with his consort, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. His vehicle is the garuda, which is half man and half bird. The garuda, which spreads Vedic knowledge, flies with great speed and strength that enables it to reach great heightssymbolizing the transcendence above earthly barriers. |
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