Maha Vishnu, or Vishnu, is the Supreme God of Protection, Preservation, and Sustenance. He is among the Holy Trinity, who look after the fundamental functions of the universe - the Creation, Protection, and Dissolution. He is omnipotent and the physical manifestation of spiritual consciousness. Holy texts like the Upanishads and Puranas hail him as the Almighty God, present in all living beings and permeating all objects and life forms as the eternal transcendental being. Being the universal protector, he incarnates on earth whenever evil tries to trump goodness, to destroy wickedness, protect the virtuous, and establish Dharma, the righteous order. Ten of his Avatars are famously known as Dasavatar, the ten incarnations, which also represent the gradual evolution of the life forms. Epics and scriptures have spoken highly and elaborately about them, especially about Rama and Krishna, regarded perhaps as the greatest of the Vishnu Avatars. Vishnu is believed to guard the living beings on earth and bless his devotees with longevity, prosperity, success, peace, and happiness.
Maha Vishnu Pooja or Vishnu Pooja (Vishnu Puja) is the ceremonial worship in honor of this much-venerated Divinity.
Vishnu is depicted as dark blue in color and reclining on the serpent couch of Adisesha, the giant snake. Vishnu has four hands; in his two upper hands, he is typically shown as holding Sudarshana Chakra, the powerful discus weapon, and Shankha, the conch, whereas the mighty mace is in one of his lower hands. The other lower hand usually carries a lotus or is in the protective Abhaya Mudra or the boon-giving Varada Mudra postures. According to the scriptures, he resides in his heavenly abode of Vaikunta with his consort, Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, Prosperity, and Fortune.
Expert priests with vast experience in conducting such ritualistic worships perform the Maha Vishnu Pooja or Vishnu Pooja (Vishnu Puja), strictly adhering to the procedures laid down in the Sacred texts, chanting potent Mantras in praise of the universal protector, and offering Tulsi, the holy basil leaves considered the favorite of Vishnu, flowers and other oblations.
Vishnu Mantras can also include the highly efficacious Vishnu Sahasranama, the hymn listing his 1000 Sacred names, chanted by Bheeshma, the grandsire and the great warrior of the Mahabharata epic, from his deathbed in the Kurukshetra war field in the very presence of Krishna, the celebrated Vishnu Avatar.
Scriptures hail Vishnu as the one easily pleased with sincere devotion, prayers, and the chanting of his Mantras. According to traditional belief, performing Maha Vishnu Pooja (Vishnu Pooja or Vishnu Puja) or participating in it with faith can bestow Vishnu's powerful blessings on the devotees and grant them immense all-around benefits. These can help them lead a long, happy life free of difficulties and filled with good health, courage to face life's challenges, prosperity, success, and peace.
It is also believed that Maha Vishnu Pooja can even help humans attain the ultimate purpose of existence; that is, it can liberate their souls and lead them to Moksha, salvation.
