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Visnu is the consort of Laksmi; and Visnu is Laksmi. Here are some names from the Visnu-sahasranama relevant to the present context: laksmivan (361), He on whose chest Laksmi always resides; Sriman (22), He who is with Sri (Laksmi); Srivasah (606), the Lord of Sri; Srinivasah (183), He in whom Sri resides; Sripatih (603), He whom Sri chose as her consort when she arose out of the ocean which was being churned for obtaining nectar; madhavah (72), the Lord of Ma (Laksmi); Visnu is Himself Laksmi, in the form of self-knowledge, atmavidya (laksmih, 943); He is the great Sakti (maha-saktih, 175).
Since Visnu is the Lord of the Earth, He is the consort of Mother Earth too: mahibharta (182), mahidharah (317, 365), ksitisah (991), medini-patih (533).
One of the five forms of God described in the Vaisnava-tantras is the vyuha (grouped form).15 The grouped forms are four: they are called Vasudeva, Samkarsana, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha.
The vyuha Vasudeva is the same as the transcendent form of the Lord. The other three are named after the elder brother, the son, and the grandson, respectively, of Sri Krsna. There is a distinctive function ascribed to each of these vyuhas in cosmic creation as well as in the act of redeeming souls. With Samkarsana, creation assumes an embryonic form; through Pradyumna the duality of purusa and prakrti makes its first appearance; and finally, Aniruddha enables the body and soul to grow.
15. The five forms are:
(1) the transcendent (Para)
(2) the grouped (vyuha)
(3) the incarnated (vibhava)
(4) the immanent (antaryamin) and
(5) the idol (arca).
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