Vaishnavism, Shaivism and Minor Religious Systems v1.c4.s8.1

v1.c4.s8.1

§ 35. Viṣṇu is a Vedic deity. There are but few hymns addressed to him in RV., but his personality is by no means unimportant. The long strides which he takes, and the three steps by which he measures the universe, are always described with an enthusiastic spirit. His first two steps can be discerned and approached by men, but the third no one can dare transgress, and it is beyond the flight of birds (RV. I. 155, 5). The wise see the highest place of Viṣṇu (paramam padam), as it were an eye fixed in the heaven (RV. I. 22, 20). In the highest place of Viṣṇu there is a well of honey, and there the gods rejoice (RV. I, 154, 5). Viṣṇu appears as the comrade and helper of Indra.