When two thunderbolts are crossed it is called a Viswa Bajra. It is the emblem of Buddha Amoghasiddhi, one of the five Buddha’s in the Pancha Buddha structure. In Buddhist Tantra the word generally denotes Sunya or Void which cannot be cut into pieces or destroyed by any means whereas it is potential of destroying all evils.
VISHNU
Vishnu is a Hindu God who is also known as Narayan. Vishnu is the protector of universe and all the creature of the Universe. He is believed to have visited the earth the earth ten times as ‘Avtars’ or incarnations to save the world from destruction. He is commonly depicted as a regal figure standing firm and erect and holding four attributes; the conch, the club, lotus and wheel. His mount is mythical Bird, Garuda. His counterpart is Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth.
VAJRA
Vajra is the symbolic representation of thunderbolt. It is also interpreted as diamond that destroys all kinds of ignorance. Vajra is permanent, strong and indestructible. It is also the symbol of Indra, the king of gods. In tantric rituals, the Vajra symbolizes the male principle. It is held in the right hand and represents the method. The bell is held in the left hand to represent the female principle. The combination of the Vajra and the Bell leads to completion of the ritual performances and perfection. The real meaning of those rituals signifies that their interaction leads to enlightenment. In Tibetan terminology Vajra is known as Dorje which represents the Upaya meaning method as well. Vajra is spelt as Bajra also. See Bajra VAJRAPANI- Vajrapani or Bajrapani is the Bodhisattva holding a Bajra, which is his family emblem as that of Dhyani Buddha, Akshobhya. Not as popular as Avalokitesvara or Padmapani or Manjusri, but Vajrapani is often presented together with Buddha or with other Bodhisatwa’s. He carries a Vajra usually placed on top of a lotus, but sometimes held directly in hand. He may be shown in standing position or in a sitting position. See Bajrapani
VAISYA
Vaisya is primarily the caste of farmers and traders. According to the doctrine of Cast system as described in Manu-smriti, they emanated from the thighs of the creator. Therefore, they are supposed to labour hard and toil for production and manufacturing of all necessary goods required for the total society. Apart from farmers and traders, this category of people include craftsmen, industrialists, artists and all other types of entrepreneurs. They are basically supposed to serve higher caste peoples namely, Bramhins and Chhetriyas, but entitled to be served by Sudras, the lowest caste. The whole concept of caste system is highly debatable these days and is not respected by increasing number of people these days. People of all castes are considered equal in the eyes of modern laws. Discrimination is punishable. But, the effects of the long tradition and the religious texts may not be ruled out even today, particularly, in the rural settings as well as in the urban areas due to predominant influence of religious fanaticism.
VAIROCHANA
Vairochana is regarded as the first Dhyani Buddha by the Nepalese Buddhists. His place is in the sanctum of the stupa where he is the master of whole temple and its contents. Therefore he can’t be represented outside the stupa, but exception to this rule is frequently met within the important stupa’s of Nepal where he is assigned a place between Akshobhya in east and Ratna Sambhav in the south.
Vairochana represents the cosmic element of Rupa or the visible form. When represented as Rupa, he is white in colour, and his two hands are held against the chest with the tips of the thumbs and forefingers of each hand united. His female is Vajradhatviswari. He is in preaching attitude. See Buddha Vairochana.
VACH
The vedic goddess of speech, Vach is the personification of speech. She is referred as the queen of gods and goddesses at various contexts. Represented in diverse ways in various religious texts, she is said to have had sexual contact with Prajapati, the great god or the Lord of all beings. Prajapati described as the supreme creator as well. In several other context Vach is introduced as the wife of Bramha, the first one among the Trinity of Hindu gods and the creator of the whole universe. Rather confusingly, Bramha and Prajapati are often presented as different forms of the same god. In the same way Vach and Saraswati are also presented as the one and the same person. Vach is also known as the mother of the Vedas.
USHA
The beautiful, smart and ever young goddess of dawn, usha keeps moving from house to house taking care of all men, big and small. She is the daughter of the sky. Aswini Kumars, sons of the sun-god are supposed to have fallen in love with her who keep chasing her all the time.
UPASAK
A follower of Buddhism who abides by certain regulations of Buddhistic codes is known as an Upasak.
UPANISHADS
Supposed to have been written, developed sometime between 600 to 300 B.C., Upanishads are very important treatises of Hindu tradition. They deal with the whole of universe and its unchangablity in the sense of ultimate reality. According to Upanishads, physical existence of all creatures is simply a visible and perishable form or embodiment of the essence of life i.e. Atma which never dies. Atma comes from Bramhah, the ultimate universal unit and, thus, the aim of life is to get the Atma reunited with Bramhah.
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