Vishvaksena – The Commander In Cheif

Vishvaksena

There are three categories of Jivatmas (individual souls).

They are

1. Baddhas,
2. Muktas and
3. Nityas.

Categories in detailed

• The Baddhas are the souls living in this material world, taking birth again and again as per their earlier Karmas (actions either good or bad), enjoying the fruits of their deeds.
• The Muktas are those who were once Badhhas but attained Moksha from this material world by performing either Bhakti yoga or Prapatti- (self-surrender at the feet of Sriman Narayana through an Acharya).
• The Nityas are the permanent residents of Moksa, who were never born in this material world. Among the Nityas, there are three notable persons. They are Ananta (Aadi sesha), Garuda (the vehicle of Lord Vishnu), and Vishvaksena (the commander in chief).

They have different duties to please the Lord.

• Ananta is the holy bed and seat for the Lord;
• Garuda is his vahana, carrying Him wherever He desires.
• Vishvaksena is His Commander-in-Chief and Chief Administrator.

On this page, we may go through some aspects of Vishvaksena. In our Sampradaaya (tradition), we invoke the blessings of Vishvaksena, before the commencement of any Karma (rites). We entreat him to help us to complete the sacred rites without any hindrance whatsoever.

Here, after entreating the Lord Himself, we request Vishvaksena to ward off any evils or hindrances that may crop up during the karma that has been initiated.

Senainathan / Senamudaliar / Sena Mudaliyar

Vishvaksena otherwise known as Senainathan/ Senamudaliar is considered to be the commander-in-chief of all the worlds ruled by the Lord. The Lord has entrusted the controlling of both His Vibhutis (Nitya Vibhuti-known as Sri Vaikuntam and Leela Vibhuti-called the material world) to Vishvaksena.

This is indicated by Sri Bhashyakara (Sri Ramanuja) in his Vaikunta Gadhya. In our Acharya parampara (the lineage of preceptors), the First Acharya is Sriman Narayana. Next comes Sri Mahalakshmi, the Divine Consort of the Lord. After Sri Mahalakshmi, Vishvaksena is considered to be the next Acharya. He is then succeeded by Nammalwar, Sriman Nathamuni, and so on.

Sutravati – Wife of Vishvaksena

‘Sutravati’ is the name of the wife of Vishvaksena and she is also propitiated along with Vishvaksena, whenever any worship is made to him. Swami Desikan worships Vishvaksena as follows, in his Yatiraja Saptati. ‘Vande Vaikunta Senaanyam devam Sutrvatisakham’ The Tirunakshatram of Vishvaksena falls in the Tamil month of Ayippasi-Pooraadam (October- November).

Let us invoke the blessings of Sri Vishvaksena on his Tirunakshatram.

Procession of Sri Vishvaksena – Tirumala

According to Agamas, Vishvaksena being the Supreme commander supervises all the arrangements for the Lord’s mega rituals in Tirumala. Vishvaksena occupies an important place in the Vaikhanasa Agama of Sri Vaishnavism.

Any ritual will begin with the worship of Vishvaksena. He is believed to protect the ritual from obstacles and evil powers. So he takes a ride, supervising the arrangements before the commencement of any festival.

In every annual Brahmotsavam, the commander-in-chief of Lord Venkateswara, Sri Vishvaksena is taken around the four mada streets in a grand procession. The celestial warrior will invite all three crore deities to take part in the nine-day mega-religious event of the Lord.

Article by – Sri R. Kannan