In the Vaishnavite tradition, Adi Purush is sometimes equated with Mahavishnu or Paramatma, who manifests himself in various avatars like Rama, Krishna, Narasimha, etc. before taking form, he exists as the formless divine consciousness.
Scriptural References and History
Vedas: The concept of Purusha is introduced in the Purusha Sukta of the Rigveda, describing a cosmic being who is both immanent and transcendent.
Bhagavata Purana: It elaborates on Mahavishnu as the source from whom Garbhodakasayi Vishnu, Kshirodakasayi Vishnu, and eventually avatars like Krishna emerge.
Brahma Samhita (Verse 1): īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ
anādir ādir govindaḥ sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam
“Krishna, who is known as Govinda, is the Supreme Godhead. He has an eternal, blissful, spiritual body. He is the origin of all. He has no other origin and He is the prime cause of all causes.”
This shows Krishna or Vishnu as Adi Purusha, the anadi (without beginning) and sarva-karana-karanam (cause of all causes).
Symbolism and Significance
Adi Purusha is the unmanifest divine essence that contains within him the blueprint of the universe.
He represents timelessness, infinite consciousness, and absolute reality.
He is beyond maya (illusion) and prakriti (nature).
In many philosophical traditions like Vedanta and Samkhya, Adi Purusha is seen as the pure observer, while Prakriti is the field of action. Together they manifest creation.
Adi Purush is typically meditated upon in deep spiritual practices, where seekers go beyond form (sagun) and connect to the formless divine.
You can meditate on Adi Purush using mantras and sacred chants to help your mind transcend ordinary perception.
Historical and Mythological Context
The idea of Adi Purush originates in Vedic cosmology, particularly the Rigveda. Over time, the concept evolved:
- In Samkhya philosophy, Adi Purush is the eternal consciousness, distinct from Prakriti (matter).
- In Vaishnavism, he is identified with Vishnu as the Supreme Person (Purna Purusha).
- In Bhagavata tradition, the first divine form is Mahavishnu lying in the cosmic ocean, from whom Brahma emerges.
Symbolism of Adi Purush
Unity of All Beings – He exists in every living soul as Atman.
Cosmic Form (Virat Swaroop) – Universe is His body.
Infinite Time & Space – He is beyond the cycle of birth & death.
Mantras of the Divine Avatar
ॐ आदि पुरुषाय विद्महे
परमात्मने धीमहि
तन्नो विष्णुः प्रचोदयात् ॥
अर्थ:
हम आदि पुरुष को जानते हैं, जो परमात्मा हैं। हम उनके ध्यान में लीन हों। वह भगवान विष्णु हमें प्रबुद्ध करें।
Aarti of the Divine Avatar
ॐ जय आदि पुरुष हरी, स्वामी जय आदि पुरुष हरी।
ब्रह्मा विष्णु महेश्वर, रूप तुम्हारे धरी॥ ॐ जय…
सहस्त्र शिर, सहस्त्र चरण, रूप अनंत तुम्हारा।
कोटि सूर्य का तेज समाहित, जग में फैला उजियारा॥ ॐ जय…
सबका मूल तुम्हीं हो स्वामी, सबमें तुम समाए।
अनंत रूप में आए हो, परब्रह्म कहाए॥ ॐ जय…
वेद पुराण गाएं गुण तेरे, ऋषि मुनि ध्यान लगाएं।
योगी जन समाधि लगाकर, ब्रह्मरूप में समाएं॥ ॐ जय…
भक्तों पर कृपा करो स्वामी, दया दृष्टि बनाएं।
अज्ञान दूर कर दो प्रभु, आत्मज्ञान दिलवाएं॥ ॐ जय…
आरती जो गाए तुम्हारी, मनवांछित फल पाए।
मोक्ष द्वार वह पाए निश्चल, हर जन्म सुख पाए॥ ॐ जय…
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