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Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya – May HE lead us from ignorance to knowledge

Taratamya

with 34 comments

The Taratamya or hierarchy amongst Ishvara and Jivas.
I) Maha Vishnu or Narayana or Paramatma
II) Maha Lakshmi

  1. Brahma, Vayu
  2. Saraswati, Bharati
  3. Gaurda, Shesha, Rudra
  4. Shanmahishis (Jambavati, Nila, Bhadra, Mitravinda, Kalindi and Lakshana)
  5. Souparni, Varuni, Parvati
  6. Indra, Kama
  7. Ahankarika Prana
  8. Aniruddha, Shachi, Rati, Svayambhuva Manu, Bruhaspati, Daksha Prajapati
  9. Pravaha Vayu
  10. Surya, Chandra, Yama, Shatharupa
  11. Varuna
  12. Narada
  13. Bhrugu, Agni, Prasuti
  14. Vishvamitra, Marichi, Atri, Angirasa, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Vasishta, Vaivasvata Manu
  15. Mitra, Tara, Nirruti, Pravahi
  16. Vishvaksena, Aswini Devatas, Ganapati, Kubera, 7 Vasus, 10 Rudras, 6 Adityas, 47 Maruts, 10 Vishvedevatas, 1 Rubhu, 2 Dyavaprithivi, 3 Pitrus
  17. Karmaja Devatas (Sanatkumaras, 7 Indras, Grahas, Gandharvas, Manus, Apsaras, etc)
  18. Ganga, Parjanya, Sanjna, Rohini, Shamala, Virat
  19. Anakhyata Devatas
  20. Svaha
  21. Budha
  22. Usha (wife of Ashvini Devatas)
  23. Shani
  24. Pushkara
  25. Ajanaja Devatas (16100 wives of Lord Krishna, etc)
  26. Chira Pirtus
  27. Deva gandharvas
  28. Manushya gandharvas
  29. Antardarshi Kings
  30. Uttama Manushyas

While Maha Vishnu and Maha Lakshmi do not have Linga Deha, the rest in the list do have Linga Deha (some
form of physical representation).

Written by Hariprasad

July 21, 2008 at 2:49 pm

34 Responses

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  1. Dear hari,
    Do u then say that Maha Vishnu and maha Lakshmi do not have a form or shape?
    So all the representations of Lord Vishnu or Lakshmi in the photographs that are being circulated in this present era are false?
    If you say YES, they do not have a shape, then what form are they in? only light, imagination? or something else?
    and, about other gods like shiva, ganapathi etc, are the photographs circulated around, the replication of their actual shape or just an imagination that one person drew and passed on?

    thanks in advance for the reply

    arun kumar

    October 7, 2008 at 2:35 pm

  2. Dear Arun,

    They are not bound by the limitations of Linga Deha – life, death, Indriyas, etc etc.

    I will leave the topic of “photos” and “representation”. We will need to sit down and have a serious discussion to get you an answer :-)

    Regards, Hari

    Hariprasad

    October 7, 2008 at 4:00 pm

  3. Namaskara. I have a few rather basic questions and I hope I wont test your patience by asking them :) Apologies in advance!
    1. Since Shri Vayu and Shri Brahma devaru are on the same level, why is that we always say “Vayu Jeevotthama” and do not say “Brahma Jeevotthama”.
    2. Can you kindly provide info on the importance and meaning behind the standard phrase “Bharati Ramana Mukhyaprana antargatha….”
    3. Who is Bharati. Whose consort is she?
    4. I get confused between Prana Devaru, Vayu Devaru, and Anjaneya devaru. Is Hanuman the son of Vayu and if yes, in the phrase “Vayu Jeevotthama” are we referring to Vayu Devaru , NOT Anjaneya devaru?
    Is MukhyaPraana devaru same as Vaayu devaru or Anjaneya devaru?
    I hope I am not wasting your time by asking all these questions. May Lord Hari Bless you.

    Raghu

    October 8, 2008 at 2:14 pm

  4. Namaskara,

    Please take my answers with caution :-) I am still a novice in learning this huge ocean of knowledge.

    1. Though Brahma devaru is the creator, it is Mukhya Prana devaru who is responsible for life in this universe. He sits inside of every life form in this universe and infuses “Life”. He resides in every Jiva and does the Shwasa Japa (Hamsa mantra) and consequently there is life. In fact in humans, he performs Hamsa Mantra Japa 21000+ times a day, every single day!! Hence he is Jivottama.

    2. According to Sri Madhva, understanding the Taratamya is very essential to obtain the Lord’s grace. Understanding taratamya also means that we understand the natural way of reaching HIM. We, the lower forms of life, are utterly ill qualified to be “reaching” him. But the way out is to approach HIM through his true Bhaktas. Mukhya Prana is the Lord’s best servant and devotee. Hence, we place our offerings to the Lord through MukhyaPrana. Hence the phrase.

    3. Bharati is the consort of Vayu Devaru.

    4. Rujus (Brahma, Vayu, Latavya etc) are one and the same in their Mula and Avatara rupas. Hence, Mukhya Prana, Anjaneya and Vayu Devaru are same – only their rupa is different. Hence, Vayu Jeevottama is also applicable to Mukhya Prana.

    Sri Vyasanakere Prabhanjanacharya has explained this beautifully in one of his pravachanas. He says that because Vayu is equally powerful in all his avatars, any avatar can be worshipped. Hence Madhva mathas, Anjaneya temples and so on. However, the same is not applicable to other devatas. Therefore, for example, we always worship Shiva in original form and not Ashwatthama or Durvasa or other avatars.

    Hope you find this useful.
    Sincerely,
    Hari

    Hariprasad

    October 8, 2008 at 3:35 pm

  5. Dear Shri arun,
    linga deha is made of elemens from chit prakriti, sava rajas tamas, it is covers the soul atman, like a skin on the grains ,which has to be beaten, ground and soaked in water to get rid of the skin and the whole grain appears. Souls undergo samsara in creation (akin to grinding) and then finally is dipped(soaked) in viraja to get their original form -swarupa deha (Moksha). Lord and Mahalakshmi do not have any such linga deha. They have only swaroopa deha only. No linga deha hence no birth and death.

    chiraan
    http://chiraan.blogspot.com

    chiraan

    October 12, 2008 at 1:22 am

  6. [...] as per Madhva can be seen full-fledged in Ekayana and Pancaratra.  For more information see http://nharipra.wordpress.com/parampare/taratamya/. Taratamya [...]

  7. prithvi whose wife
    parjanya wife or vishnu wife?

    venkataramanan

    June 22, 2009 at 6:51 pm

    • Namaskara,

      Prithivi is represented by two Abhimani Devates – Shri (wife of Indra) and Dharaa (wife of Varaha). Both are in the 18th echelon from top.

      Regards, Hari

      Hariprasad

      June 23, 2009 at 9:33 am

      • parjanya dharma pathni?????

        shani and prithvi are equal?????

        budha son of tara devi or rohini devi????

        venkataramanan

        July 2, 2009 at 5:28 pm

  8. why no answer

    venkataramanan

    July 3, 2009 at 8:18 pm

  9. 3 questions no answer please let me know

    venkataramanan

    July 3, 2009 at 8:18 pm

    • Because I am on vacation. Secondly, I only comment when I can. This is not my day job.

      Also, frame your questions better if possible. I don’t get most of them.

      Specifically to the previous questions, I do not know the answers.

      Hariprasad

      July 6, 2009 at 10:08 am

  10. parjanya dharma pathni???

    shani and prithvi are equal???

    budha son of tara devi or rohini devi???

    venkataramanan

    July 3, 2009 at 8:19 pm

  11. parjanya dharma pathni?????

    shani and prithvi are equal?????

    budha son of tara devi or rohini devi

    venkataramanan

    July 5, 2009 at 11:26 am

  12. 1. prithvi devi or sri dhara devi is wife of one of the eight vasus named dhrona where they incarnated as va_sudeva and devaki – father and mother for lord krishna avatara

    2. parjanya (one of the aditya’s) -dharma pathni is cow vasa (abhimanini devata for fertility of land)
    parjanya’s son was rishi hiranyaroma

    3. shani and prithvi are equal in status where shani is better

    4. budha is son of tara devi and soma (moon god)

    ok hariprasad…be cool…heartiest regards for your honourable work. thank uu

    venkataramanan

    July 8, 2009 at 6:47 pm

  13. Dear Hari,

    Its a nice blog just went through it. Keep the good work going.I have one basic question. Its always been told women shoud not chant Gayatri matra and vaayu stuti and so on. If you take Achaaryaa’s Madhwa Vijaya he states that every name or even for that matter every sound is an epithet of god. If so vaayu stuti is almost like a veda as you can see its standard and Gaytri matra is none other than Suraayntargata Bharathi mukhya parana antargata narayana na Japa. So why are women restricted on doing it??? Why does chanting god’s name need discrimination?? I do agree there is Madhwa naama for ladies and son on but still why??

    Rao

    July 24, 2009 at 10:20 am

    • Namaskara Sharath,

      On the question of women reciting Vedas, I had attempted an explanation in an earlier thread. Maybe it will interest you.

      http://nharipra.wordpress.com/mantras/#comment-1120

      It is true that every syllable is calling out God. But, we as mere mortals, do not have the capacity to resonate with that aspect of the sounds/words. God is present even in dogs and pigs. But if we close our eyes and think of dogs, we are not capable of syncing with the God in them. That is why we *choose* certain symbols and sounds which resonate well, at a plane within our reach.

      Secondly, to attempt answering why restrictions on some mantras, let me give you a crude analogy. Milk contains lots of proteins, vitamins etc. But if taken raw (in huge quantities), it causes stomach problems. Chilli is very essential for our health. But if eaten raw, it simply burns our tongue and stomach. Some food need processing/cooking. Similarly, “anushtana” is necessary for some of the mantras our great seers realized.

      Note that the above points would apply, not just to women, but to all of us who do not follow those instructions.

      What I too am disappointed at is the biased imposition of these rules only on women. Our great rishis and saints realized and composed a lot of valuable mantras/shlokas etc and also indicated the qualifications required for being able to make use of them. We strictly “enforce” this on women while conveniently ignoring the guidelines when it comes to ourselves.

      Regards, Hari

      Hariprasad

      July 24, 2009 at 11:33 am

      • Ya that’s right i agree to your view to a good extent….its nice

        Rao

        July 24, 2009 at 5:40 pm

  14. And i read the previous thread and it sound very logical. Good work hari keep it going.

    Hari Sarvottama Vaayu jeevottama

    Rao

    July 24, 2009 at 5:42 pm

  15. hi hariprasad

    How many karmaja devatas are there in number? Their total?

    please refer and let me know

    happy regards
    venkataramanan

    venkataramanan

    July 29, 2009 at 6:10 pm

    • Please read articles fully before posing redundant quiz questions.

      Also, i have a separate blog for such questions. Follow links section.

      - hari

      -original message- Subject: [Hariprasad's Weblog] Comment: “Taratamya”

      Hariprasad

      July 29, 2009 at 6:58 pm

  16. karmaja devatas

    dvarapalakas — 56
    punyaloka rajas — 100
    maha nyana rushis – 92
    vishnu prasadas – 100
    gandharvas — 8
    punya apsaras — 92
    maha pitrus — 7
    manus – 14
    indras -7
    grahas -9
    vahanas -100
    abhimani/digabhimani devas – 200
    archara/dhumadhi devatas -200
    yajna abhimani devats –200
    karma sadhana devas – 15

    total ==== 1200

    venkataramanan

    August 2, 2009 at 9:16 am

  17. mukthi maha yogigalu stanas accordingly to taratamya

    sayujya mukthi: residing in hari angas

    bakthi maha yogigalu

    ==> bramha vayu garuda sesha rudra indra kama daksha surya varuna narada agni brgu prahlada manasaputras mitra niruti ganapati kuber vishvaksen …………….to……..85(shESha shathastha) !
    —————————————————————————
    sameepya mukti: being near sri hari

    vigjyana maha yogigalu

    ==> karmaja devatas: {chavana uchithya kashyapa sanakadi rishis jayanta mahabali 11manus 7indras 8gandharvas jayavijayas sukracharya nandhi chitragupta 4grahas karthavirya janaka ambarish parikshit etc.}…………………………parjanya ganga sanjna rohini shyamala svaha budha usha shani prithvi pushkara!
    —————————————————————————
    salokya mukthi: residing in lokas of sri hari

    nyana maha yogigalu

    ajanaja devatas, chira pitrus, deva gandharvas!
    —————————————————————————
    sarupya mukti: serving hari eternally wearing shanku chakra srivatsa kaustuba

    karma maha yogigalu

    manushya gandharvas manushya chakravartis manushya uttamajivas
    —————————————————————————
    once they attained muktis(4 types) they are liberated from all negatives they enjoy only eternal bliss. then they everever reside in vaikunta and nevernever come out from vaikunta.

    when next creation process commences already selected another set of uttama jivas attain the official posts of the former as bramha vayu garuda sesha rudra indra varuna agni mitra karmajadevas parjanya budha pushkara etc etc etc

    thus this playful process is continuous…………………..all all changes posts changes jivas changes but one never changes and make other changes according to his will he is none other than sri lakshmi sametha srihari!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

    venkataramanan

    August 10, 2009 at 6:24 pm

  18. Dear Hari,
    I have learn’t somany things by your web,I am thank ful to you,I want o learn more and more about god.
    regards
    sanjay

    SANJAY.BS

    February 13, 2010 at 7:49 pm

  19. Hi,
    Do you have a picture of Vayu devara moola rupa? why dont we worship moola rupa itself

    Subramanya A

    March 30, 2010 at 9:56 am

  20. Dar Hari,
    Thanks for all the useful info provided in this blog

    Subramanya A

    March 30, 2010 at 9:57 am

  21. Dear Sir,

    Can you share more information on Sutha puranikaru’s life story.

    Thanks in advance.

    Regards,

    Ramesh

    Ramesh

    August 6, 2010 at 12:05 am

  22. hare shrinivAsa

    namaskAra..

    I wanted to know the grade of dEvi padmAvati..
    I also wanted to say that it would’ve been better in understanding/locate the tAratamya from the list if the numbering would have been from 1 to 32 instead..

    regards
    diipak

    diipak,hubli

    August 13, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    • hare shrinivasa

      Devi Padmavati is Godess Lakshmi herself. Just like Shri, Bhu and Durga Roopa of Lakshmi Devi. The tirupathi mahatmyam portrays a fight between Lakshmi Devi with Lord and fight between Lakshmi Devi and Padmavati Devi. However, here it should be understood that there won’t be a single misunderstanding or darkness in Lakshmi towards Lord Hari as she is termed as top most devotee of Lord and One among Parashukla Trayaru who do not have slightest ignorance in understanding various Gunas of God (Mahalakshmi, Brahma and Vayu). Most of such fights should be understood as Leela of the Lord and the purpose of which would be for Moha of Tamaseekas

      Sandeep Pai

      October 24, 2010 at 9:21 pm

  23. hare shrinivAsa

    Can anyone elaborate more on the functions of each of the devatas mentioned above in the taratamya?

    Please help us Identify on who are each of these devatas

    Ex: Who are Antardarshi Kings?
    Who is Vishvaksena, Pushkara etc..?

    So that we get a better understanding on Taratamya Concepts

    Regards,

    Sandeep Pai

    Sandeep Pai

    August 30, 2010 at 11:46 pm

  24. hare shrinivAsa

    Most of the times ISKCON will be focusing of Radha Rani.. Also in North India people worship Radha Krishna.

    I would just like to know what is the position of Radha in Taratamya.

    Also the Damodara Ashtakam says “namo radhikayai tvadiya-priyayai”.

    Can anyone please elaborate on above mentioned points?

    Sandeep Pai

    November 11, 2010 at 1:17 pm

  25. Hi,

    I have been looking for taratamya stotra’s voice recording all over the net, please provide me a link for the same.

    thankyou

    Sudhindra Kumar

    September 5, 2011 at 5:12 pm

  26. Hari OM,

    I always under the presumption since Ganesh is worshipped all throughout the world that he was on higher level than nava grahas like Surya and Chandra. I even thought Ganesh was on a higher level than Agni or Varuna even though both gods are highly important for the functioning of life. Since ganesh is prayed to by not even Hindus, but other religions like buddhists, taoists, even chrisitans as Santa Claus, I would have thought of Ganesh as sort of being like the pope and leader of all the devatas. My question is what is the Taratamya based on, is it material power, or spirtual strenghth. What makes and qualifies one devata to be on a higher level than another devata?

    Sriram

    November 26, 2011 at 6:07 am

  27. Many problems arising in the minds of dvait students are available in madhva,s commentaries on upanishad and bhagavad Gita. The English translation of these books are now available for free down load on website http//www.nageshsonde.com. thanks

    Nagesh sonde

    February 23, 2012 at 11:28 am


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