The Cosmic Ocean

Lord Vishnu, the sustainer, is lying in Yoga Nidra sleeping on top of Adishesha – the primordial residue Naga. Out of Vishnu’s navel a lotus flower has arisen. Popping out of the lotus flower is the god, Brahma – the creator. Brahma is looking in the four directions. 

Vishnu is dreaming up a new universe. He is resting in between two kalpas, two universes. The past universe has dissolved, and Vishnu rests sleeping in the space between that universe and the next. Adishesha is the residue or all that remains after the universe dissolves. Adishesha uncoils itself into a bed for Vishnu to rest upon, on top of the great cosmic ocean. Vishnu, resting on Adishesha, is resting in Yoga Nidra, asleep and dreaming yet totally awake and aware. He is aware of his beloved consort, who sits by his feet. Next to him are all the items he usually carries, which he has put down. A conch which represents the universal sound. Sound beyond naming, beyond attachment and aversion. The sound of emptiness. A spinning, serrated disc called a chakra which he used to cut off the heads of demons. It also symbolizes the wheel of time. A rod or mace, and also a lotus flower. All of which he has put down. 

They say at the end of the universe, the end of the kalpa, Lord Vishnu is lying on his primordial water dragon (naga), Adishesha. Adishesha has one thousand heads. One thousand heads represents infinity. Vishnu lying there on Adishesha merges into Yoga Nidra – the goddess Lakshmi who resides in Vishnu’s eyes. Vishnu then goes into this state of deep relaxation. And the goddess of Yoga Nidra is there massaging Vishnu’s foot, helping him relax. Focusing on the feet can really help someone relax. 

When Vishnu falls asleep, he merges with the creative consciousness of the universe – mother clearlight. This is the feminine principle of the universe. The goddess Lakshmi represents this feminine clearlight and pure wisdom. In this merging, Vishnu returns to this singularity of consciousness. It’s not unconsciousness, but an alive singularity. Another word for Maya, meaning illusion or magic, is Yoga Nidra itself: the creative power of Brahma. The creative power of Brahma is this formless, alive, creative clearlight. These “gods” are not outside of use, but within us. We can feel, sense, and connect with this energy of clearlight. Sometimes it’s called “Ka,” which means “what is it?” It has no form, and it cannot be described, much like clearlight. It cannot be named or pinpointed. But it can be connected to. It can be known directly and experientially beyond the intellect.

Adishesha is said to hold all of the planets of the universe in its snake hoods on the top of its infinite heads. Each head is singing the glory of Vishnu in infinite divine languages. When Adishesha uncoils times move forward and creation takes place. When Adishesha coils back the universe ceases to exist as it was before. All this points to the infinite, that there is no nothing. Adishesha is the primordial residue that will be shaped by our intention. This is why our sankalpa, our intention, is so important. For our intention shapes our future. 

The goddess represents wisdom and creative energy. In many Buddhist traditions, the feminine principle symbolizes wisdom while the masculine symbolizes compassionate activity. Yet we all contain both qualities within ourselves.

Lakshmi is pure wisdom and creative energy. She is also considered the source itself. Lakshmi herself is the goddess of wealth, abundance, and wisdom.

Lakshmi’s four arms represent the four Purusharthas, the four aims of a precious human life. The first is Dharma, fulfilling your life purpose and serving the world through your unique gifts. The second is Artha, the resources and abundance needed to support that purpose. The third is Kama, pleasure, intimacy, connection, nature, beauty, art, and the enjoyment of being alive in this precious human form. The fourth is Moksha, liberation.

Lakshmi embodies all of these. She embodies compassionate action. In the image above she is serving and loving her partner so that he can wake up and create. Yet she also surrenders all of her desires at the feet of Vishnu. This symbolizes surrendering worldly attachments, something we must all eventually do at death.

Vishnu represents ultimate reality itself, the infinite cosmos both within and beyond. Lakshmi, though depicted at his feet, is never portrayed as inferior. Together they are inseparable as Sri Narayana, embodying the complementary principles of Shakti and consciousness. Shakti is not just energy but sacred, creative, transformative consciousness.

Lakshmi’s service reflects harmony and balance, not inequality. As she surrenders into divine awareness, she also inspires Vishnu to dream creation of a new universe into being again. Her creative desire ignites his vision, and from his navel arises Brahma, who looks in the four directions and creates the universe. She sparks the creative energy and wisdom within him.

Likewise, we arise from this ocean of unmanifest potential. We take rebirth again and again. Closest to our deepest subtle essence is the Anandamaya Kosha, the sheath of bliss located in the heart. From this layer all the other koshas emerge, forming our embodied existence. The koshas unfold from pure potential into manifestation, just as waves arise from the ocean.

The Four Desires | Purusha Arthas

1. Dharma: Moral values, your life purpose. When in conflict with the other desires, dharma is considered higher than Artha and Kama.

2. Artha: The means you use to fulfill your dharma (health, financial security, home) such a prosperity, economic values.

3. Kama: Pleasure, love, art, beauty, music…. What do you desire to manifest that will give you pleasure, more sensuality, more beauty and creativity in your life?

4. Moksha: Liberation, freedom to live in the world and be free while in it. Liberation and spiritual values. Ultimate ideal of human life.