More Questions...

Question: Who Created Vishnu/Naryana?

1. Narayana - What does the name mean? Nara:  - is plural for "that which exist" - there are three things that exist in eternity - these are called Tattva-traya.  They are Chit, Achit, and Ishwar. Ayana: means "Source/Support for existence". Therefore Narayana means He is the Source/support of all that exists.  Jeevatma is Chit.  It is different from the Ishwara Tattva.  Ishwara tattva is Vishnu/Narayana/Brahmam. He always existed and created the world from his "sankalpa" or mere wish.  At the time of creation, He wishes to become the Universe and the Universe is created from a part of his own body - ie. a part of His own body transforms into the Universe.  The Tattva-traya - Chit, Achit, and Ishwara are all attached to and part of His body.

2. Vishnu: the meaning of the word Vishnu - is one who pervades everything (as the Antaryami). Shastras say, "Antarbahischa tat sarvam vyapya narayanas sthitha:" - i.e everything in existence is pervaded by Narayana.  Vishnu is the name used to refer to Narayana when stating that he pervades everthing.

Answer to the question: Narayana/Vishnu is the creator, the Brahamam, that created the various universes from its will/desire. Narayana/Vishnu was not created by anyone - He always existed, just as the Jeevatma tattva always existed along with its baggage of karma.

Question: We see Kailasa exists somewhere in Himalayas. What about other lokas like Brahma loka, Indra Loka, etc. Do they physically exist somewhere or are they merely spiritual planes?

Answer: When performing pranayamam we acknowledge the existence of 7 upper worlds - Bhoo (earth), Bhuva, Suva, Maha, Jana, Tapa, and Satyam. These 7 worlds exist physically somewhere (we all live on Bhoo). The seventh in the series - Satya is Brahma's world. The third world - Suva, is the deva loka, as far as I understand. During interim Pralaya Bhoo, Bhuva, and Suva are destroyed and recreated. At the time of Brahama's demise after completion of his 100 years, all 7 worlds are destroyed. 

That said, you might want to also know that each Universe of 14 lokas - 7 upper and 7 lower (ending in Patala loka) are physically existent. There are many such universes. Each Universe has its own Brahma, Indra, Shiva etc. All universes are composed of 14 lokas. There is a version of the 4 vedas in each of these universes. However, they are named differently in each Universe (Andam). There are innumerable Anadams in existence.


Free-will v. destiny


There is human will, and there is God's will. By His desire, he has give all of us "limited" free-will. The example is that of a CFO of a multinational company. Just because he handles multi-million dollars of finances, does not make him the owner of all that money. He has been given limited independence to take care of the company's finance for the sake of the company and not personal benefit. So there is limited free-will that operates. We have been given the choice to choose Karma Yoga, Gyana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga etc. You cannot say it was my destiny to be Karma Yogi in this life. May be by God's will I will become Bhakti yogi in next.