The Significance and Meaning of Narayana – By Sri Tridandi Chinna Srimannarayana Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji
Further Reading On The Topic
The Universal Form and the Deeper Meaning of Narayana in the Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita, one of the most sacred and philosophically profound scriptures of Hinduism, presents in its tenth and eleventh chapters a vivid and awe-inspiring description of the cosmic form (Vishwarupa) of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. These chapters not only illustrate the divine omnipresence of Krishna but also encapsulate the essential nature and meaning of the word Narayana, one of the most revered names of the Supreme Being in the Hindu tradition.
This sacred vision, as granted to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, not only changes the course of the war but also opens the door to a deeper spiritual understanding of the universe, the divine, and the eternal truth behind existence.
Arjuna's Vision of the Universal Form
In the eleventh chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, known as Vishwarupa Darshana Yoga, Arjuna is granted divine eyes to perceive the infinite form of Krishna. What he sees is beyond human comprehension: countless faces, arms, eyes, and celestial ornaments; divine weapons; and an effulgence brighter than a thousand suns.
He witnesses all the beings of the universe—gods, sages, humans, animals, and even elements—arising from and dissolving into this divine form. Time itself is seen as an aspect of Krishna, devouring all, revealing the reality of impermanence and destruction as part of the cosmic order. Arjuna is overwhelmed, terrified, and humbled. The sight of the Vishwarupa fills him with devotion but also with fear, for it breaks all the boundaries of the limited human understanding of form and individuality.
This fear is not of destruction alone, but of the vastness, the immensity, and the absolute nature of the Divine—who is beyond name and form, yet present in all names and forms. It is this encounter that leads us into the deeper understanding of the name Narayana.
Meaning and Symbolism of Narayana
The name Narayana is profoundly symbolic. To understand it fully, we can break it down into its components. In Sanskrit:
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Ra refers to that which perishes—everything that is temporary, that decays, changes, or comes to an end.
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Na is a negation, implying the absence of perishing.
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Nara therefore means that which does not perish, that which is eternal.
While "Nara" in some contexts refers to "man" or "human," in this philosophical framework, it refers to all imperishable entities, the eternal atman (soul), or that reality which underlies the appearance of change. In plural, the term becomes Naara, encompassing all entities that appear to exist in multiplicity yet remain rooted in the One.
The suffix Ayana means refuge, resting place, or source. Hence, Narayana means "the refuge of all that is imperishable" or "the ultimate source and resting place of all eternal beings." Narayana is thus the Supreme Being in whom all exists and to whom all returns.
Narayana and the Vedic Understanding of Divinity
In Vedic and Puranic thought, Narayana is not merely a name of Vishnu but the very essence of all existence. He is the eternal ocean from which the universe arises and into which it dissolves. He is both immanent (present in all things) and transcendent (beyond all things).
The tenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, known as Vibhuti Yoga, lists some of Krishna's divine manifestations among gods, sages, animals, and elements. He says, “I am the Self seated in the hearts of all beings... Of the Adityas, I am Vishnu; of lights, I am the radiant Sun; among the senses, I am the mind; and in living beings, I am consciousness.”
These declarations emphasize that everything great, powerful, radiant, wise, or divine in the world is but a reflection of the glory of Narayana. It is not just that the world belongs to Him—it is Him, in various forms.
The Symbolism of the Universal Form
The universal form is more than a vision; it is a spiritual teaching. Arjuna sees the form but also learns the lesson of surrender. The multiplicity of existence—the many arms, heads, and forms—points to the truth of unity behind diversity. The perishing of warriors in the mouth of Time (another form of Krishna) reveals the role of the divine in the cosmic cycle of birth and death.
It teaches the seeker that life and death are but passing waves in the ocean of eternal existence. The Vishwarupa reveals that there is no place, no being, no atom where Narayana is not present.
The Path of Devotion and Realization
After witnessing the universal form, Arjuna reaffirms his complete surrender to Krishna. The terrifying form dissolves, and Krishna appears again in His familiar human form, comforting Arjuna. This symbolizes that the same supreme divinity who is boundless and infinite is also intimate and accessible to the devotee.
This transition signifies the dual nature of divinity: as Saguna (with form and attributes) and Nirguna (formless and beyond attributes). For the devotee, Narayana is not just the cosmic ruler but the indwelling companion, the inner Self, and the guide.
Conclusion: The Eternal Refuge
The chapters of the Bhagavad Gita that unveil Krishna’s divinity point to a timeless truth in Hindu philosophy: the Supreme is both the beginning and the end, both the one and the many. In the name Narayana lies this understanding—that behind all names, forms, and change, there exists a still, eternal, changeless reality.
To know Narayana is to know the Self, to realize that what we perceive as the transient world is but a play upon the eternal canvas of the Divine. Arjuna’s fear turns into reverence, his confusion into clarity, and his doubt into devotion—signifying the journey every seeker must take on the path to truth.
In calling upon Narayana, the devotee does not just seek refuge from the world—but finds the world itself to be the manifestation of the refuge. It is in this sacred name that the meaning of the Gita, the essence of Dharma, and the path of liberation converge.