Why is Lord Vishnu there in ocean of milk and why is he sleeping on the snake?

Hinduism is one of the most ancient religions in the world, today practiced by nearly a billion people in the world. Originally called “Sanatana Dharma” by Hindus, Hinduism is characterized by beliefs in “samsara” (reincarnation), “karma” (all actions have consequences), “moksha” (freedom from the cycle of reincarnation), aspects including the “yogas” and “Vedas” from literary works such as the Upanishads and the Vedas, and the concept of multiplicity, or the ideology that there are multiple gods that represent one divine being. There are some Hindus that don’t necessarily believe in the concept of multiplicity. Instead, they simply pick one god to worship. However, many Hindus believe in the Trinity: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer). Vishnu, in particular, was seen as a prominent figure in Hinduism for many generations because of his unique nature and reincarnations, and thus continues to be worshipped today. 

Vishnu symbolizes the preserver, the protector, and the sustainer of the world created by Brahma as well as the law of the Vedas. Compared to other deities, he was believed to have a very collected and benevolent nature with his “central character as guardian, protector, and preserver of the world”. Vishnu is portrayed with having blue skin and four arms, and as dressed in extensive jewelry, flower garlands, a wrapped skirt, and a large crown. In the four hands, Vishnu carries a conch shell, a “chakra” (a discus), a lotus flower, and a club-like mace. Vishnu is also believed to live in heaven known as “Vaikuntha and floats somewhere in the sky above the seven heavens”. Vishnu is believed to sleep in a cosmic ocean of milk, the bed he sleeps on being his serpent Anantha-Sesha. This sleeping form of Vishnu is known as Narayana. Narayana’s consort Lakshmi, the goddess of good fortune and prosperity, massages his feet as he lies down on Anantha-Sesha. 

Why Lord Vishnu resides in the ocean of milk? 

It symbolically means - Lord Vishnu is the all-pervasive Lord who expands into everything. He is the maintainer of the universe and the complete cosmic creation.

The ocean of milk is also a symbolic representation of the cosmos or the milky way galaxy. It also called “Ksheer Sagar”.

In Bhagawad Gita it is mentioned: “Planets, Galaxies, and Stars are Thy body, Divinity is established in Thee alone” ~ Chapter 9 Verse 4.

Srimad Bhagavatam, Book 7, Chapter 4, Verse 17: There is a reference of seven oceans which are oceans of saltwater, sugarcane juice, wine, clarified butter, milk, yogurt, and sweet water. The milky ocean represents absolute truth.

Brahma Vaivertta Purana: Cosmologically the Dvipas and Sagaras depict the entire Cosmos. On the island known as Svetadvipa there is an ocean of milk, and in the midst of that ocean, is a place called Airavati-Pura where Lord Vishnu lies on Ananta.

In some other texts, the ocean of milk is a representation of Super Consciousnesswhich is functioning at the deeper level of awareness.

While some others represent as a period of stillness arising from after the cosmic dissolution. Lord Vishnu reclines over the still cosmic waters on the endless coils of the serpent Ananta Sesha, which represents Time, which is equal to 311,040,000,000,000 human years.

The Advaitic texts give us the below interpretation :

Lord Vishnu - Atman
Ocean - Mind with infinite thoughts
Milky Ocean - Sattvika or pure thoughts
Snake - Ego with its many desires
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In short “When a person who holds his mind in deep meditation upon his supreme self realizes Vishnu, the all-pervading reality”.

Why is he sleeping on a snake?

The snake or Anantha is most commonly represented as our desires/ego/mind which is ever-changing. It represents Lord Vishnu or God resting on our desires/mind/ego.

Some interesting info :

Shesha is said to hold all the planets of the universe on his hoods and to constantly sing the glories of the God Vishnu from all his mouths
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He is sometimes referred to as Ananta Shesha, which translates as endless-Shesha or Adishesha "first Shesha". It is said that when Adishesa uncoils, time moves forward and creation takes place; when he coils back, the universe ceases to exist.

He is shown as five-headed or seven-headed, but more commonly as a many thousand-headed serpent.

His thousand hoods represent the divisions of time His name means "that which remains", from the Sanskrit root śiṣ, because when the world is destroyed at the end of the Kalpa, Shesha remains as he is.

In the Bhagavadgita of Chapter 10, verse 29, Shri Krishna while describing 75 of his common manifestations, declares, "anantaś ca asmi nāgānāṁ": Of the nagas, I am Ananta..
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Lord Shesha is often seen floating on the causal waters of the Garbhodaka Ocean, which exists on the bottom of the universe. Lord Vishnu is thus resting on Sheshanaga as They float on the ocean ~ Srimad-Bhagavatam - Second Canto - Chapter 7

Navagrahas and their dhanya(food)

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All forms of nature are believed to interact and influence one another, be they are of this earth, or of space. This interaction and influence are often reflected in the linking of cosmic influences of planets and stars to life forms on earth. The Navadhanyas (or the nine seeds) and their respective Navagrahas (nine cosmic influences) are:

Sun

Ravi: This is the day of Sun God. Sun is the symbol of fire. He likes red items very much.

His favorite items: Gur, red pulses, Kesar (saffron), Chandan, wheat, red fruits, red sweetmeats, red clothes, etc.

Benefits: Longevity increases by keeping the sun God happy and in good humor. The blessings of the father are always showering. Head related complications are removed.

Moon

Som ie Chandrama, Moon likes white items very much Donate white items on Mondays Bad omen will be warded off Good omen will be showered on you

Favorite food items: Rice milk curd ghee salt suji white sweetmeats sugar cashew nuts radishes and white clothes etc

Benefits: One becomes at peace with himself at last after offering the items favorite to Chandra Cough relating diseases get cured of .

Mars

Mangal: The God of Mangal is Hanuman Ji., He is very short-tempered Therefore donate red items this day The ill shadows of Mangalic Dasha will end

Favorite food items: Red masoor daal red lentil pulses Gur jaggery pomegranates and all other red fruits etc Wearing red clothes and feeding gur chana to cows makes Hanumat Veera pleased in this day

Benefits: Headache and blood-related complications are warded off Peace ascends in the family life

Mercury

Budh: This the day of Budha God He likes green items and is donated to ward off the evil effects of Budh.

Favorite food items: Green moong split green gram torai ghia parwal pointed gourd pumpkin green fruits, green sweetmeats.

Benefits: Mental disorders are cured off from donating green items to God Budha.

Jupiter

Brihaspati: Brihaspati i.e. the day of Guruvar is the day of Brihaspati. Brihaspati God likes yellow food items. Therefore yellow items are donated to him on this day.

Favorite food items: Yellow laddu, chana daal, Gur, , yellow fruits and sweets, yellow dresses.

Benefits: By donating yellow items, kidney, bile etc remain intact and disease-free. Conjugal life turns happy.

Venus

Shukra: Shukravar is supposed to be the day of the God of ghouls and ogre Shukracharya whose favorite food items are white-colored.

Favorite food items: Rice, sugar, suji, white sweetmeats, white fruits, white dress etc.

Benefits: Shukra is the God who bestows happiness. Life becomes full of comforts by pleasing him. Conjugal life remains happy.

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Saturn

Shani: Shanivar is the day of Sahni God. His favorite items are black items. His blessing could be had by donating black items.

Favorite items: Black urad, mustard oil, gur, black til, black flowers, black fruits, black sweetmeats, black chana, satnaza, black clothes, etc.

Benefits: Shani God has the power of making a beggar a king and a king a beggar. If he will be pleased, your enemies would automatically be destroyed. He cures all physical ailments.

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Nodes

Rahu-Ketu: Amongst all the Navgrahas, Rahu and Ketu are both supposed to be the shadow- grahas, meaning thereby, where one goes the other also follows. They both move together. They like black items.

Favorite items: Black urad, black til, black soap, black sweets, black clothes and satnaza.

Benefits: Keep Rahu-Ketu pleased and remain healthy and wealthy for good.

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Foods dear to different Gods:

1 Ganpati: The dear food item of Ganpati is laddu modak
2 Shiva: Bholey Baba likes bhang hemp leaves dhathura akman leaves thandhai and white items
3 Lord Vishnu: Lord Vishnu likes amla gooseberries very much
4 Srikrishna: Srikrishna`s favorite food items are butter mishri candy milk and curd
5 Hanuman: Gur jaggery gram and bananas are very dear to Hanuman Ji
6 Bhairon Bawa: urad black gram or items made up with urad such as jalebi are very close to the heart of Bhairon Bawa

List of legendary creatures in Hindu Puranas Part 3

Chimera

Makara is a sea-creature in Hindu Puranas Makara is the vahana (vehicle) of Ganga - the goddess of the river Ganges and the sea god Varuna. It is also the insignia of the love god Kamadeva.

Navagunjara is a creature composed of nine different animals. The beast is considered a form of the Hindu god Vishnu, or of Krishna, who is considered an Avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu.

Panchamukhi Hanuman, Hanuman assumed the Panchamukhi or five-faced form to kill Ahiravana. He assumes a vanara's head, a lion's head, an eagle's head, a boar's head and a horse's head.

Vaikuntha Chaturmurti or Vaikuntha Vishnu is a four-headed aspect of the Hindu god Vishnu, mostly found in Kashmir (northern part of the Indian subcontinent). He has a human head, a lion head, a boar head, and a demonic head.

Yali also is known as Vyala or Vidala in Sanskrit is a mythical creature seen in many Hindu temples, often sculpted onto the pillars. It may be portrayed as part lion, part elephant and part horse, and in similar shapes

Sharabha is a part-lion and part-bird beast in Hindu Puranas, who, according to Sanskrit literature, is eight-legged and more powerful than a lion or an elephant, possessing the ability to clear a valley in one jump.
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Concluded

List of legendary creatures in Hindu Puranas Part 2

Uluka

Pravirakarna - Is a chiranjeevi owl who lives in the Himalayas.

Uluka - The owl of Lakshmi..

Mushika

Mushika - the rat mount of Ganesha /(GANESHA) is very carefully for his mount Mushika and also his safety/

Gaja/Hastin

Erawan is the Thai version of Airavata. He is depicted as a huge elephant with either three or sometimes thirty-three heads which are often shown with more than two tusks.

Gajamina Gadjamina, Gaja minah, or Eon is an elephant-headed figure with the body of a fish used for patulangan sarcophagi in Bali,

The Gajasimha is a Puranic animal with the body of a lion and the head of an elephant. At Angkor, it is portrayed as a guardian of temples and as a mount for some warriors.

Gajasura is an elephant demon killed by Shiva, in his Gajasurasamhara form.

Gajendra the elephant, was rescued by Vishnu from the clutches of Huhu, the Crocodile in the legend of Gajendra Moksha.

Ganesha is also is known as Ganapati and Vinayaka, the elephant-headed God.

Iravati is a daughter of Kadru and Kasyapa. She is the mother of Airavata, the mount of Indra. She is also associated with a sacred river.

In a tale about Ganesha's birth, the elephant-headed demoness Malini gives birth to Ganesha after drinking the bath-water of Parvati, Ganesha's mother.

In Hindu Puranas, there were three elephants by the name Supratika. The foremost among them is listed as one of the Diggajas, each representing the eight quarters. The Hindu epic Mahabharata describes two more elephants by the same name – a Puranic elephant that was an incarnation of a sage, and the one that belonged to Bhagadatta, the king of Pragjyotisha.

Vinayaki is an elephant-headed Hindu goddess, a Matrika. The goddess is generally associated with the elephant-headed god of wisdom, Ganesha.

Diggajas

The Amarakosha, a thesaurus of Sanskrit, mentions the names of eight male elephants, and their respective consorts, that bear the world together.

Airavata is a Puranic white elephant who carries the Hindu God Indra. He also represents the Eastern direction, the quarter of Indra. Abhramu is the consort of Airavata.

Pundarika, carries the Hindu god Yama. He represents the Southeast. Kapila is the consort of Pundarika.

Vamana and his mate Pingala guard the South with an unspecified god.

Kumunda (Southwest) and his mate Anupama, with the god Surya.

Anjana and his mate Añjanā guards the West with the god Varuna.

Pushpa-danta and his mate Subhadanti guards the Northwest with the god Vayu.

Sarva-bhauma represents the North, the quarter of Kubera. His mate is Tāmrakarna.

Supratika represents the North-east direction, the quarter of Soma. Anjanavati is believed to be the wife of Supratika.

Four names are given in the Ramayana 1.41:

Viru-paksha - East

Maha-padma - South

Saumanas - West

Bhadra - North

Kapi

Kapi is known to be a form of monkey, especially used to represent Hanuman as seen from Hanumaan chalsa lines:- jai kapees tihu lok ujagar

Vanara

The Vanaras are the monkey race in the Ramayana. The following are notable vanaras.

Angada, son of Bali, helped Rama find his wife Sita

Anjana, Hanuman's mother.

Hanuman is a monkey God and an ardent devotee of the God Rama.

Kesari, Hanuman's foster father.

Makardhwaja is the son of Hanuman as per the Valmiki Ramayana.

Nala, son of Vishwakarma.

Nila, son of Agni.

Rumā was the wife of Sugrīva.

Sugriva, king of Kishkindha, son of Surya.

Tara, wife of Bali.

Vali, Sugriva's brother, and a son of Indra

Varāha

Emūsha - In the Brāhmana, a boar which raised up the earth, represented as black and with a hundred arms (probably the germ of the Varaha avatara).

Varaha is the third avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu in the form of a boar.

Varahi is one of the Matrikas. With the head of a sow, Varahi is the consort of Varaha.

Hariṇa

Pashupati (Sanskrit Paśupati) is an incarnation of the Hindu god Shiva as "lord of the animals".

Rishyasringa was a boy born with the horns of a deer in Hindu-Buddhist Puranas, who became a seer.

Paśu

Ushas is associated with the reddish cows, and are released by Indra from the Vala cave at the beginning of time.

Vrishabha - A cow-headed Yogini, who is considered to be the mother of Ganesha.

Kamadhenu

Kamadhenu also is known as Surabhi, is a bovine-goddess described in Hinduism as the mother of all cows. She is a miraculous "cow of plenty" who provides her owner whatever he desires and is often portrayed as the mother of other cattle as well as the eleven Rudras. The following are the offspring of Kamadhenu.

Kapila cows (the golden cows), are the children of Kamadhenu, who were also called the mothers of the world (according to the Anushasana Parva, the thirteenth book of the Mahabharata).

Manoratha, a calf, created by Krishna (along with its mother, Kamadhenu) from the left side of his body (according to the Devi Bhagavata Purana)

Nandini (sometimes referred to as Sabala), the cow of Vashistha, the daughter of Indra's cow Kamadhenu.

Rohini, daughter of Surabhi, who is said to be the mother of cows (according to the Ramayana)

Sushila, a daughter of Kamadhenu in the Brahmanda Purana

Yogishvari, a cow, daughter of Kamadhenu (according to the Matsya Purana)

Dikpalis

The guardian cow goddesses of the heavenly quarters (they are the 4 daughters of Kamadhenu according to the Udyoga Parva, fifth book of the Mahabharata):

Dhenu in the north

Harhsika in the south

Saurabhi in the east

Subhadra in the west

Vṛṣabha

Bir Kuar or Birkuar, also known as Birnath, is a Hindu cattle-god worshipped by the herder-class of Ahirs of western Bihar in India. He is considered to be a form of the god, Krishna.

Nandi or Nandikeshvara is the name for the bull which serves as the mount of the god Shiva and as the gatekeeper of Shiva and Parvati

Mahiṣa

Mahishasura; According to Hindu Puranas, Mahishasura was a combination of both an Asura and a mahisha ("water buffalo"), with a trident.

Mahishi - The sister of Mahishasura. After the death of Mahishasura, Mahishi continued the war against Devas.

Mhasoba, is a horned buffalo deity of pastoral tribes in Western and Southern India.

Paundraka is the name of the buffalo of Yama.

Aja

Aja - A "He-goat" sacred to Pushan. Holds a prominent position in death rites; it shows the path to the dead.

Ajaikapala - A boy, who was begotten by the grace of Shankara. He had one foot of a man and the other of a goat. He overcame death as a child and is known as 'Mrityunjya'. (see also Markandeya)

Daksha - His head was replaced by a goat's after a beheading.

Naigamesha also is known as Harinegameshi, is a goat-headed or deer-headed deity (associated with the war-god Kartikeya).

Pūṣan - a Vedic guardian of flocks and herds.

Ashva

The Ashvins, in Hindu Puranas, are two Vedic gods, divine twin horsemen in the Rigveda, sons of Saranyu, a goddess of the clouds and wife of Surya in his form as Vivasvant. They are represented as humans with the heads of horses.

Badavā - 'A mare, the submarine fire.' In Puranas, it is aflame with the head of a horse, called also Haya-siras.

Dadhi-krā is the name of a divine horse or bird, a personification of the morning Sun.

Devadatta - The white horse of Kalki.

Gandharvi, daughter of Kamadhenu, and is the mother of horses (according to the Ramayana).

Farasi Bahari - These are magical green Water Horses that live at the bottom of the Indian Ocean. They are depicted as a horse in its forepart, with a coiling, scaly, fish-like hindquarter.

Hayagriva, also spelt Hayagreeva, is a horse-headed avatar of the Lord Vishnu in Hinduism.

Keshi is the horse-demon, healed by Krishna.

Kinnara In Hindu Puranas, a kinnara is a paradigmatic lover, a celestial musician, half-human and half-horse.

Tārkṣya is the name of a Puranic being in the Rigveda, described as a horse with the epithet áriṣṭa-nemi "with intact wheel-rims".

Tumburu is a horse-faced Ghandarva, a celestial musician.

Uchchaihshravas is a seven-headed flying horse, that was obtained during the churning of the milk ocean. Uchchaihshravas is often described as a vahana ("vehicle") of Indra - the god-king of heaven but is also recorded to be the horse of Bali, the king of demons.

White horse (Puranas) White horses appear many times in Hindu Puranas.

Khaḍgin

The Karkadann was a Puranic creature said to live on the grassy plains of India and Persia. The word kargadan also means rhinoceros in Persian and Arabic.

Shvan

Ruru - a dog; one of the Bhairavas, a manifestation of Shiva.

In Hindu Puranas, Sarama is being referred to as the dog of the gods, or Deva-shuni.

Sarameya (literally, "sons of Sarama") are the children of Sarama, whose names are Shyama and Sabala.

Sharvara is an ancient Hindu Puranic dog belonging to Yama.

Sisara is the husband of Sarama, father of the Sarameya.

Mahabidala

Budhi Pallien is a fearsome goddess of forests and jungles, who roams northern India, particularly Assam, in the form of a tiger.

Dawon a sacred tiger (sometimes drawn as a lion), it was offered by gods to serve goddess Durga or Parvati as a mount for rewarding her victory.

Kimpurusha were described to be lion-headed beings.

Narasiṃha is an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, and is often visualised as having a human torso and lower body, with a lion face and claws.

Narasimhi power of Narasimha (lion-man form of Vishnu), is a woman-lion and throws the stars into disarray by shaking her lion mane.

Manasthala is the lion vahana of Durga who was known as the asura Simhamukha in his previous life.

Pratyangira or sometimes called Prathyangira, Narasimhi or Narashimhika, is a Hindu Goddess described with a lioness's face and a human body.

Simhamukha is a lion-faced demon, brother of Surapadman who later was transformed into the vahana of Durga due to his bravery in fighting the god, Muruga.

Vyaghrapada, that is, one having the feet like a tiger, was one of the Puranic rishis (sage) of ancient India.

Bidala

Mārjāra - The cat vahana of Shashthi, a Hindu folk Goddess (Shashthi is associated with the war-god Kartikeya).

Bhallūka

Riksha

The Rikshas are described as something like Vanaras but in later versions of Ramayana, Rikshas are described as bears. Notable Rikshas are as follows:

Jambavan/Jamvanta is a character originating in Indian epic poetry. The King of the Bears, he is an Asiatic or sloth bear in Indian epic tradition.

Jambavati is the daughter of Jambavan, King of the Bears, and the third wife of Krishna.

List of legendary creatures in Hindu Puranas Part 1

Bees : 

Bhramari is 'the Goddess of bees' or 'the Goddess of black bees'. She is associated with bees, hornets and wasps, which cling to her body.

Scorpions 

Ájakava - a poisonous scorpion mentioned in the Rig Veda.

Chelamma, a Scorpion Goddess, native to southern Karnataka

Matsya

Matsya is the first avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu in the form of a fish.

In Hinduism, The Rainbow Fish was a fish that was as large as a whale. It ate Buddha, an incarnation of the deity Vishnu.

Timingila is a huge aquatic creature that can swallow whole whales in one bite.

Matsyāṅganā 

Suvannamaccha is a daughter of Tosakanth (Ravana) appearing in the Thai and other Southeast Asian versions of Ramayana. She is a mermaid princess who tries to spoil Hanuman's plans to build a bridge to Lanka but falls in love with him instead.

Macchanu is the son of Hanuman in the Cambodian, Thai and other versions of the Ramayana, and who looked like a vanara from the waist-up but had the tail of a fish.

Frog

 Bheki is the name given to a frog that symbolizes the sun on the horizon in Sanskrit legend.

Kūrma 

In Hinduism, Kurma is the second Avatar of Vishnu, in the form of a turtle.

The World Turtle in Hindu Puranas is known as Akupāra, or sometimes Chukwa, a chiranjeevi.

Bedawang or Bedawang Nala is a giant turtle in Balinese Puranas who brought the whole world on his back. In the creation Puranas of the world, it represents a change from Antaboga. He along with two dragons support the human world. If he moves, there will be earthquakes and volcanic eruptions on earth.

Makara

 Makara appears as the vahana (vehicle) of the river goddess Ganga, Narmada and of the sea god Varuna.

Huhu is the crocodile in the legend of Gajendra Moksha.

Sarpa 

Antaboga is the world serpent of traditional Javanese Puranas. It is a derivative from the Hindu Ananta Shesha combined with Javanese animism.

Gogaji also is known as Jahar Veer Gogga is a folk deity, worshiped in the northern states of India. He is a warrior-hero of the region, venerated as a saint and a 'snake-god'. He is worshiped as a pir amongst Hindus.

Ketu is an Asura who has the lower parts of a snake and said to have four arms.

Nagnechiya Maa (Nagnechi Ma, Nagnechia Ma), a snake goddess, is the kuldevi of Rathore, a Suryavanshi Rajput clan of India, as well as Brahmbhatts (who are also Vaitalik Kaumudik Bramhins),

Patanjali is a snake footed rishi.

Rahu is the severed head of an asura called Svarbhānu, that swallows the sun causing eclipses. He is depicted in art as a serpent with no body riding a chariot drawn by eight black horses.

Shahmaran (Kurdish : Şahmaran) is a Puranic creature from the folklore of The Kurdish people. Shahmaran is known as the queen of the serpents. This story can be traced from the Middle East to India with different variations.

Vritra or Ahi is a serpent or dragon, the personification of drought and adversary of Indra.

Nāgas 

 The Naga is an entity or being, taking the form of a very great snake — specifically the king cobra. A female nāga is an nāgī or nāgiṇī. Notable nagas.

Astika is half Brahmin and half naga, son of Manasa.

Kaliya, a snake conquered by Krishna.

Karkotaka controls weather

Manasā, also Mansa Devi, is a Hindu folk goddess of snakes, sister of Vasuki and wife of sage Jagatkāru (Jaratkāru).

Paravataksha, his sword causes earthquakes and his roar caused thunder.

Surasa is a Hindu goddess, who is described as the mother of the nagas (serpents).

Shesha is the nagaraja or king of all nāgas. The snake on whom Vishnu is in yoga nidra (Ananta shayana).

Takshaka is mentioned as a King of the Nagas.

Ulupi, a companion of Arjuna in the epic Mahabharata

Vasuki is a Nagaraja, one of the King serpents of Hindu Puranas, who coils over Shiva's neck

Pannaga 

A race related to the Nagas and Uragas, born of Kadru, sister of Surasa.

Uraga 

A race related to the Nagas and Pannagas, born of Kadru, sister of Surasa.

Pakshin 

Byangoma (feminine Byangomi) are legendary birds of Bengali beliefs, appearing most notably in the fairytales of Thakurmar Jhuli, where they are portrayed as wise, fortune-telling birds that help the deserving.

Gandaberunda (also known as the Berunda) is a two-headed Puranic bird of Hindu Puranas thought to possess magical strength.

Homa Pakshi (a Vedic bird). It lays eggs while flying in the sky and then the egg will fall. As it is falling, a bird will hatch from the egg. The hatchling then learns how to fly without touching the earth.

Baka  

Bagala - A crane-headed god in Hindu legend, Bagala controls black magic, poisons and disguised forms of death.

Krauncha - A crane mentioned in the Ramayana.

Nadijangha - The name of a crane, who was liked by Brahma very much. His story was told by Bhishma to Dharmaraja.

Gṛdha

Vultures who were the sons of Aruna, brother of Garuda.

Sampati, the King of Vultures, was the oldest son of Aruṇa and a brother of Jatayu.

Jatayu is the youngest son of Aruna, brother of Sampati

Haṁsa 

The hamsa (Sanskrit: हंस, haṃsa or hansa) is an aquatic bird of passage, such as a goose or a swan. Its icon is used in Indian and Southeast Asian culture as a spiritual symbol and a decorative element. Hamsa is a part of the Puranic love story of Nala and Damayanti. The hamsa is the vahana of Brahma & Saraswathi.

Arayanna, or heavenly hamsa (swans), are said to live in Manasasaras in the Himalayas.

Kāka 

Chanda, a crow, is the father of Bhusunda and his twenty brothers (Bhusunda and his brothers were born from the union of Chanda and the seven swans of the Goddess Brahmi).

Bhusunda is a very old sage, in the form of a crow. In the Story of Bhusunda, a chapter of the Yoga Vasistha, Bhusunda recalls a succession of epochs in the earth's history, as described in Hindu cosmology. He survived several destructions, living on a wish-fulfilling tree on Mount Meru.

Kukkuṭaśāva 

Krichi is the rooster of Murugan, depicted on his war flag, the Seval Kozhi.

Mayura; 

Citramekhala is the mayura of Saraswathi, Goddess of learning and wisdom.

Paravani is the mayura vahana of Murugan, the God of War.

Sarngika 

Jarita was a certain female bird of the species called Sarngika. She was the wife of saint Mandapala.

Shuka

Suka - The parrot vahana of Kamadeva

Shuka - The parrot of Kalki

Shyena 

Shyena (Sanskrit: श्येन ) is the divine hawk identified with Agni, who ascends to heaven for bringing soma (nectar) to earth with the intention of rejuvenating and revitalizing of all things that exist on earth.

Suparna

The Garuda is a large bird-like creature or humanoid bird. Garuda is the mount (vahana) of the Lord Vishnu. According to the Mahabharata, Garuda had six sons from whom were descended the race of birds.

Sumukha

Suvarna

Subala

Sunaama

Sunethra

Suvarcha

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Tittiri Chakora, a kind of partridge, is a legendary bird described in Hindu Puranas. It is believed to reside upon the beams of the moon, that is, the Chandra.

Kapinjala, a partridge associated with Indra, or a form of Indra.

Gopkia Geetham Part2

Thava kadamrutham, thaptha jeevanam,  

Kavebhheereeditham kalmashapaham,

Sravanamangalam sree madhathatha,

Bhuvi grunwanthi, they booritha jana. 9

The nectar of your story, Oh Krishna,

Is the antidote for misery, Oh Krishna,

It is sung by very wise people, Oh Krishna,

It solves all their problems, Oh Krishna,

It blesses with all that is good, Oh Krishna,

And those great ones, Oh Krishna,

Who can tell your story in detail, Oh Krishna,

Are really blessed ones, Oh Krishna.

The world is full of sorrows and the salvation of all such sorrows is to hear the holy story of the Lord; it is done by the wisest (the chosen one were actually blessed - either spend their time in reading the holy texts or talk about His deeds if there are no one to hear His stories they keep reading holy texts or recite thy stories if there are others to hear same Oh! what a past time they have). In this way, Gopits teach us how to tread upon the holy path of devotion to Lord Krishna and how to make best us of available time in Sathsang only .

Prahasitham priya, Prema veekshanam,

Viharanam cha they dhyana mangalam,

Rahasi samvidho, ya hrudhi sparsa,

Kuhaka, no mana kshobhayanthi he. 10

Your look of Love, Oh Krishna,

Gives us pleasure, Oh Sweetheart,

Your playfulness towards us, Oh Krishna,

Your secret gestures, Oh Krishna,

Turn our thoughts into ecstasy, Oh Krishna,

And turns our mind wildly, Oh Deceiver!

Oh Lord, your very look is the nectar of our lives and all your deeds full of foreplay and play and your gestures of secret nature give us the ecstasies of our lives and help us to focus inwardly. The apanga veekshanam of the Lord is the granter of boons of the beloved ones for which they are indebted for their entire lives.

Chalasi yadi vrujaath charayan pasoon,

Nalina sundaram, Natha they padam,

Shila thrunangurai: seedhatheethi, na:

Kalilatham mana: kantha gachathi. 11

When you accompany the cattle of Vruja, Oh Krishna,

Your lotus feet which are pretty and delicate, Oh Lord,

Treads over stones and thorns, Oh Krishna,

And gives you great pain, Oh Krishna,

And this makes our mind, Oh Krishna,

Restless and worried, Oh Krishna.

The moment you leave for the day for grazing the cowherd is the moment our heart stops its function and regains its life back only on seeing you back in the evening after your duty. All-day through you were wandering here and there often on thorns and stones and thy delicate – mrudu pallava like feet – is put to untold hardship – the very thought of which puts us in pain.

Deenapareekshaye neela kuntalai:
Vanaruhananam bhibrad aavrutham,
Ghanarajaswalam darsayan muhu:
Manasi na smaram veera yachasi. 12

To test poor people like us oh Krishna,
You come with cloud-like hair, Oh Krishna,
While coming from the forest, Oh Krishna,
And also face coated with dust, Oh Krishna,
On seeing you like that, oh Krishna,
Our minds become darkly passionate, Oh Krishna,
But you don’t bother about us, Oh Krishna.

Everything that is associated with the Lord is beauty; even the dust of the cows that sits on the face of the Lord adds beauty to Him especially when he returns in the evening amidst cow herds. This drushya adds fuel to fire and increases the pain of thy separation.

Pranadha kaamadham padmajarchidham,
Dharani mandanam dhyeyamapadhi,
Charana pankajam santhamam cha they,
Ramana nasthaneshu arpayadhihan. 13

Please keep your lotus like feet, Oh darling,
Which grants all the wants of devotees, Oh Krishna,
Which is worshipped by Lord Brahma, Oh Krishna,
Which is the ornament to the world, Oh Krishna,
Which is to be worshipped at times of peril, Oh Krishna,
And which grants pleasure even when it is served, Oh Krishna,
On our breasts dearly and tenderly, Oh Krishna.

The pada sparsha of the Lord is the panacea for all the sufferings of the Gopis and grant them all their wants ; the very holy feet is being worshiped by Brahma and the same is the Jewel of the Universe and worshiped at times of need by devotees and grants the pleasure of its association with our bossoms; i.e. the right place to keep them in safe custody is ours. If the feet of the lord is allowed to wander on its own it will go even to Satyaloka or other such places and should be safeguarded as it is the benefactor of all boons sought for by keeping them safely tight to our chest. 

Suratha vardhanam, soka nashanam,
Swaritha venuna, sushtu chumbitham,
Ithra raga vimaaranam nrunaam,
Vithara veera na: they adharamrutham. 14

Oh heroic one, Please give us, Oh Krishna,
The nectar of your lips, Oh Krishna,
Which increases passion, Oh Krishna,
Which destroys sorrows, Oh Krishna,
Which is being enjoyed, Oh Krishna,
By the flute of yours, Oh Krishna,
And which puts an end, Oh Krishna,
Of the other longings in men, Oh Krishna.

Atathi yath bhavan annh kananam Thrutiryu gayathe thwamapasyatham,
Kutila kunthalam, Sri mukham cha they,
Jada udeekshatham, pakshma krudrusham. 15

You're going away to the forest, oh Krishna,
During the day time, Oh Krishna,
Makes us feel that every second, Oh Krishna,
Like a never-ending age, Oh Krishna,
And seeing you back, Oh Krishna,
Through your flowing frontal curls, Oh Krishna,
Makes us feel that Lord Brahma, Oh Krishna,
Is a very slow-witted one, Oh Krishna.

During day time you wander in forest with the herd and friends to follow you, we your followers, feel that every second that we spend here in your absence is like a never-ending yuga and only on seeing you back with flue in your mouth and the sweet flowing music from lotus-like lips of yours fills our heart with nectar – the nectar which gives life back to our bodies with our souls once you return back. In this stanza the Gopis teach us that a sadhaka or a true baktha should have a longing as if his very breath stops if Prathyakshanubhava is not to happen the very next second. This was well explained by Swami Ramakrishna to a devotee when he asked Guru Maharaj about his longing for Goddess Kaali Ma and how he feels for it. Guru Maharaj took him to Holy Ganges and asked him to bathe and kept him inside water for few minutes and the disciple started to gasp for breath. Finally, when he got out of the water, he asked disciple how he felt – he had no words to explain except saying that he was immensely long to gasp for a while. Such should be the true intention and longing expected of a Sadaka or a true devotee. as has been explained in this verse.

Pathi suthaanwaya brathru bandhawan

athi vilangyathenthyaachyuthaga,

Gathi vidasthaveth geetha mohitha:

Kitava, yoshitha ka sthyajen nishi 16

We have left our husbands and son, Oh Achyutha,

And also our families and brothers, Oh, Krishna,

And have come near you, Oh Krishna,

You who know even the path of the dead, Oh Krishna,

Have neglected us at night, Oh Krishna,

Who have come attracted by your song, Oh deceiver.

Here Gopis ascertain the Lord that they have come at the beckon the Lord leaving aside their family members for His sake Oh Achutha (one who is known for not leaving those who have faith in him) keep this in mind that we have come at this dark part of the night only on your call and how can we be neglected after having been called upon by your gestures and secret call. Such a cruel joke should never be played upon on us. 

Rahasi samvidam hruchayodhayam,
Prahasi thananam prema veekshanam,
Bruha dura sreeyo, veekshya dhama they,
Muhurathi spruha, muhyathey mana:17

Your secret glances, Oh Krishna,
Your face that increases passion, Oh Krishna,
With an ever pretty smile, Oh Krishna,
Your look with love, Oh Krishna,
Your broad chest where Lakshmi resides, Oh Krishna,
Makes us long to attain you, Oh Krishna,
And our mind also gets enchanted, Oh Krishna.

Oh lord you very secret glances and gestures make us elated and your very smile enhances our uncontrolled passion for you and we long to have your broad chest – the residence of the Goddess Mahalakshmi – embraced by us. Lakshmi’s vasasthaanam – dwelling place of the Goddess- belongs to His devotees for which they long for.

Vrujava noukasam vyakthi ranga they,
Vrajina hanthryalam viswa mangalam,
Thyaja manak cha na:thwath spruharthmanam,
Swajana hrudrujam, yanishudhanam. 18

You who is the friend of people of Vraja, Oh Krishna,
Are capable of destroying all their sins, Oh Krishna,
And also you do good to the entire universe, Oh Krishna,
So give us that medicine, to cure our aching heart, Oh Krishna,
To us who are in love with you, Oh Krishna.

Oh Krishna! You are the friend of the Vrujavasees and capable of destroying since of those who are devoted to you and you have been the benefactor of the entire Universe; if that be the case how can you neglect us ; give us the boon of curing the pain in our heart – of those who long for you forever. If the lord can cure the pain of the entire Universe why not we the true lover of thy lotus feet by giving us the much-cherished wish of having union with you.

Yathe sujatha charanamburuham sthaneshu,
Bheetha sanai: priya dadimahi karkaseshu,
Thenataveem atasi thadwyada thena kimswith.
Koorpathibhi:bramathi dhee: bhavadhayusham na:19

We keep your lotus-like tender feet, Oh darling,
Very tenderly on our very hard breasts, Oh Krishna,
With a lot of care so that they do not pain, Oh Krishna,
But you travel with those tender feet, Oh Krishna,
In forests over sharp thorns and stones, oh Krishna,
And thinking of the pain those feet would suffer, Oh Krishna,
The brain of ours who have given our life to you, Oh Krishna,
Gets rattled and worried, Oh Krishna.

Oh Lord we intend to keep your lotus feet on our hard chests so that they are taken care of and get rid of their pain and also grant us the boon to get relief of the pain of your separation as they have all along been wandering in sun in thorns and stones and the very thought of their pain boils our brain and make us worried. The best place of rest for the ever-wandering feet of the Lord is to keep them intact – in a lock on the chest of the Gopis - in lock nearer to their heart. 

Sri Shuka Uvacha:
Ithi gopya pragayanthya:Pralapanthyascha chithradha,
Rurudhu:suswaram Rajan,Krishna darshana lalasa: 20

Sage Shuka said:-
Oh king thus did sing, the gopis 
With great desire and wailing voice,
In a pretty tone and in several ways,
And then they wept out loudly.

The greater the devotion or longing for union with the Lord the greater will be the pain of their heart longing for it. It is a state of mind that a Sadaka or true devotee should aspire for it. Ashru, Kampa, Pramodham etc. are the signs which occur on the body of the sadhak or a true devotee which is explained here as the Gopis.

Thasaamavira bhochowri:Smayamana mukhambuja:
Peethambaradhara sragwee
Saakhanmanmadhamanmadha:21

Then appeared before them, Lord Krishna,
Wearing yellow silk,
Wearing several garlands,
And with a smile on his face,
Who is capable of making,
The god of love yearns for his love.

The intention of the Gopis for union with the Lord, the longing of the Gopis were so fierce that a situation arose that they cannot bear the separation anymore and the Lord who was totally pleased with their true devotion appeared from nowhere wearing the ever-shining golden silk, wearing several wonderful fragrant gaRlands, with a face full of smile as ever it would be as if to prove that he was the father of the Cupid himself. 

At the beginning of the Gopika Geethatm itself, Sri Sukdhevjee mentioned that “PRASHAMAAYA PRASHAANTHAYA THATRAIVA ANTARADEEYATA” i.e. in order to rectify his true devotees – THE GOPIS – lord disappeared there itself so that he could see how they behave in their despair and how intense their love for Him. Now having heard their hue & cry he could not remain in silence hence appeared like a full bloom lotus with a vibrant golden silken cloth as his attire added with it some fragrant flower garlands and ever bright shining face full of glee and grandeur so as to please the Gopis longing for his Darshan. THEN STARTED RASA MAHOTSAV, a pleasurable sight to the entire Universe, all the Sidda, Charana, Gandharva, Muni ganas made an assemblage in the sky to witness the Gods’ Rasa with the GOPIS. 

Tham vilokhyaagatham presttam preethyutpulla drushobhala:
Uttasthu: yugapath sarvaa: tanva: praanamiva agatha:
Krishnasya mukha lavanya sudhaam nayana bhaajanai:
Aapeeya aapeeya naatrupyan santha: thaccharanam yata:

THEN STARTED RASOTSAVA which was never heard before and witnessed by all the Gods who were fortunate enough to have a glimpse of the same and showered the Lord with celestial flowers and danced from there with all types of instruments they could probably get a hand in. FLOWERS, FRAGRANCE, GRACE, GRANDEUR COMPASSION, LOVE, AND EVERLASTING PREMA took the form of RASA and in the UTSAVA that followed all the Gopis could see one Krishna by their side and did whatever they wanted to with Him as if he was her own prized possession. Lord Shiva & Parvathi, Brammaji with Saraswathi and host of other Gods with Rishis enjoyed the DANCE of the Yuga and there stood the Lord won over Cupid by his Dance with Radha and the Gopis who evinced intense love with Him. It is not that one night alone the Rasa was celebrated but all nights that followed.

It is NITHYA RASA UTSAVA and every true devotee should pray Goddess Radha Devi by saying “SAMYOJAYA MAAM RADHE THAVA RASA LEELAYAM” Oh Devi please allow us to participate in your Rasa Leela and let us be the recipient of thy Grace so as to serve the Lord in any possible manner that he might wish us to be worthy of it. The message of the Gopika Geetham is as under:

BE SIMPLE AND HUMBLE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE //

ALWAYS REMEMBER THE GRACE THAT HE HAS SHOWERED ON US AT EVER MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE //

ALWAYS REMEMBER HIS NAME CONSTANTLY AND SPEND YOUR VALUABLE TIME ONLY WITH TRUE KRISHNA BAKTHAS (THOSE WHO CAN SHARE THE THOUGHTS OF RENOWNED SOULS OF KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS) AND AVOID THE INTRUDERS IN YOUR HOLY PATH (THEY ARE ACTUAL THIEVES – THIEVES WHO STEAL YOUR VALUABLE TIME) // 

DWELL ON THOUGHTS OF HIS SERVICE BY WORDS AND DEEDS //
KEEP HIS NAME ALWAYS IN YOUR LIPS AND FROM BOTTOM OF YOUR HEART// LET FLOWERS OF BAKTHI - THE FRAGRANCE OF DEVOTION – BLOOM AND REACH THE EVERYTHING LOTUS FEET OF THE LORD //

NEVER GIVE UP YOUR SADHANA AT ANY POINT OF TIME IN YOUR LIFE EVEN AFTER HAVING ACHIEVE THE VERY GOAL OF IT I.E. A GLIMPSE OF GOD (LIKE PUNDARIKA WHO CONTINUED SERVICE TO HIS PARENTS EVEN THOUGH DWARAKADIPATHI AND HIS CONCERT WERE WAITING TO GIVE DARSHAN TO HIM AT HIS DOORSTEP) SIMILARLY EVEN AFTER ACHIVING SADHYA SADHANA SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN UP AT ANY COST; AS A SADAKHAS HE CLIMBS IN HIS SPIRITUAL LADDER GETS NAME, FAME, MONEY AND WHAT NOT (LIKE PUNDARIKA DAYANADHI WHO WAS RICH BUT HIS MIND WAS STEADFAST WITH TRUE DEVOTION TO LORD KRISHNA’S LOTUS FEET THAT COMPELLED KRISHNA CHAITANYA MAHA PRABHU ONE DAY AND INVITED HIM TO HAVE HIS DARSHAN) ONE SHOULD NOT FORGET HIS GURU WHO IS THE VERY CAUSE OF ALL THESEACHIEVEMENTS AND ALSO NEVER FORGET THE WAYS OF WORSHIP TAUGHT BY HIM EVEN AFTER ACHINVING THE CHERISHED GOAL OF THE SADAHANA TILL OUR LAST BREATH (AS YOU ARE BORN TO DO SADHANA)