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InHinduism,Vaishvanara (Sanskrit:वैश्वानर, pronounced[ʋaiɕʋaːnɐɽɐ]), meaning "of or related to Visvanara" is an abstract concept. It is related to the soulatman, the (universal) Self or self-existent essence of human beings.Etymologically, Vaishvanara is a derivative of the conjoined word Vishvanarai.e.Vishva (Universe) + Narah (Man)i.e. the 'Universal or Cosmic Man'. In theRig Veda, Vaishvanara is an epithet of the fire god deityAgni.
As per theMandukya Upanishad, the Self has four aspects or states of consciousness.[1] The first is the Vaishvanara manifestation, under thejagrat or the waking state which is outwardly cognitive. The Self in Vaishvanara form has seven limbs, nineteen mouths and has the capability to experience material objects.
The seven limbs of Vaishvanara pertain to the 'cosmic body' of 'Vaishvanara'. These are enumerated in verse 18.2 of theChandogya Upanishad,[citation needed]
[T]he heavens are his head, the sun his eyes, the air his breath, the fire his heart, the water his stomach, the earth his feet, and space his body.
The seven limbs of Vaishvanara have also referred to in the first verse of theMandukya Upanishad, which have been described to encompass the entire manifest universe. The nineteen "mouths" are:[2]
Further, Agni Vaishvanara is regarded as Author of the Hymns of the Rig-veda (x. 79, 80).[citation needed]
Agning prajvalitang vande Jata-vedang Hutashanang:
Suvarna-varnam amalang samiddhang sarvvatomukham.
The Mahanirvana Tantra also refers to certain Vaishvanara:
[O]m Vaishvanara Jataveda ihavaha ihavaha;
lohitaksha, sarvva-karmani sadhaya: svaha.
As per the Tantras, Vaishvanara meaning "Ruling or benefiting all men," is also a name of thetantric goddessSavitri.
