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From: Sriram Ranganathan (srirangan_at_earthlink.net)
Date: Wed Jun 06 2001 - 16:35:49 PDT
>>I've often noticed in south Indian vishnu temples of a deity quite
similar to the elephant god/ganesh/vinayak with a "namam " . Is >>this lord
ganesh /some other deity?
I believe the deity is actually Lord Visvaksena, the Chief of (Defense!)
Staff, for Sriman Narayana's services at Sri Vaikuntam - His permanent
abode.
According to our philosophy Sri Visvaksena is our first and foremost
Acharya - since he was taught directly by the Divine Couple. Visvaksenar
subsequently passed on the knowledge to our other Acharyas - beginning with
Sri Nammalvar. We regard Sri Visvaksena to be one among the nitya-sooris or
divine souls (?), along with Sri Adisesha, Sri Garuda, Sri Sudarsana, and
Sri Anjaneya.
Please refer to Bhakti list's archives, for further information.
Regards,
Sriram
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