Indian Philosophy v1.c8.s2.69

v1.c8.s2.69

Sūrya in the form of Viṣṇu supports all the worlds.³ Viṣṇu is the god of three strides. He covers the earth, heaven and the highest worlds visible to mortals. None can reach the limits of his greatness. "We can from the earth know two of thy spaces, thou alone, O Viṣṇu, knowest thine own highest abode."⁴ Viṣṇu holds a subordinate position in the Ṛg-Veda, though he has a great future before him. The basis of Vaiṣṇavism is, however, found in the Ṛg-Veda, where Viṣṇu is described as bṛhat-śarīrah, great in body, or having the world for his body, pratyetya āhavam, he who comes in response to the invitation of the devotees.⁵ He is said to have traversed thrice the earth spaces for the sake of man in distress.⁶