The supreme being of vedas : God Vishnu

The Purusha of vedas is Lord Vishnu as explained Here and the Word Nārāyana, be it in vedas, epics or Purans, all denote God Vishnu alone as explained In this post. So in this one, we will look at some verses from Vedas to Understand more about God Vishnu's position in Vedas.

The Lord mentions in The Bhagwat geeta :

sarvasya chāhaṁ hṛidi sanniviṣhṭo mattaḥ smṛitir jñānam apohanaṁ cha vedaiśh cha sarvair aham eva vedyo vedānta-kṛid veda-vid eva chāham

“I am seated in the hearts of all living beings, and from Me come memory, knowledge, as well as forgetfulness. I alone am to be known by all the Vedas , am the author of the Vedānt, and the knower of the meaning of the Vedas.” (15.15)

Which is confirmed again confirmed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya in his Vīshnū sahasrnam bhasya. Moreover, At most of the places in Rig veda, Indra is Not Devraj, but The Supreme Eternal parambrahma Nārāyana Harī keshava. In this Context, sri Shankrā quotes a verse for Lord Vishnu in his Sahasrnam bhasya :

Rig veda 1.164.45–46

Speech hath been measured out in four divisions, the Brahmans who have understanding know them. Three kept in close concealment cause no motion; of speech, men speak only the fourth division. They call him Indra, Mitra, Varuṇa, Agni, and he is heavenly nobly-winged Garutmān. To what is One, sages give many a title they call it Agni, Yama, Mātariśvan.

The supreme Truth is only one (I.e Lord Narayana), who manifests himself into different forms and He Is sung in the vedas as Agni, indra, viswakarma etc.. In Vālmīkī Rāmāyana Also, Brahma Prays to Lord Rāma, saying He is the one who performs the action and work of indra, he is sung as Indra. Sri Adi Shankaracharya has quoted Many verses dedicated to indra, for Lord Nārāyana, hence Proving the fact that Indra of vedas is mostly Lord Narayan only.

Rig veda 10.81

“He who hath eyes on all sides round about him, a mouth on all sides, arms and feet on all sides, He the Sole God, producing earth and heaven, weldeth them, with his arms as wings, together.”

• Quoted by Adi Shankaracharya for Lord Vishnu.
• This verse talks of How the Sole God who produces heavens and earth, has his arms, feet and faces on all side, Similar to that given in purusha suktam I.e thousand heads, feet and hands.

Rig veda 9.96

"Father of holy hymns, Soma (Nārāyana) flows onward the Father of the earth, Father of heaven : Father of Agni, Sūrya's generator, the Father who begat Indra and Viṣṇu.”

• The hym is dedicated to Soma, but soma here means Lord Nārāyana. The name is found in the Vishnu sahasrnam.
• In this verse, he is called father of earth and heavens, Just like the previous verse.
• The ‘Vishnu' here is different from parambrahma Nārāyana Keshava, it's the vaman avatar of Lord Nārāyana. The Nārāyana Suktam, Nārāyana Upanishad, subala Upanishad, Mahabharata and Ramayana confirms this fact that Nārāyana is Supreme Parambrahma who incarnates as Vishnu, so there is a difference between Nārāyana and Vishnu.

Rig veda 7.99

“MEN come not nigh thy majesty who growest beyond all bound and measure with thy body.
Both thy two regions of the earth, O Viṣṇu, we know: thou God, knowest the highest also. None who is born or being born, God Viṣṇu, hath reached the utmost limit of thy grandeur. The vast high vault of heaven hast thou supported, and fixed earth's eastern pinnacle securely . Rich in sweet food be ye, and rich in milch-kine, with fertile pastures, fain to do men service. Both these worlds, Viṣṇu, hast thou stayed asunder, and firmly fixed the earth with pegs around it. Ye have made spacious room for sacrificing by generating Sūrya, Dawn, and Agni.”

Rig veda 7.100

Three times strode forth this God in all his grandeur over this earth bright with a hundred splendours. Foremost be Viṣṇu, stronger than the strongest: for glorious is his name who lives for ever.

Rig veda 4.58

“Send to our eulogy a herd of cattle bestow upon us excellent possessions. Bear to the Gods the sacrifice we offer the streams of oil flow pure and full of sweetness. The universe depends upon thy power and might within the sea, within the heart, within all life.”

• Quoted for Lord Narasimha by sri Adi Shankaracharya.

Rig veda 1.81

“He filled the earthly atmosphere and pressed against the lights in heaven. None like thee ever hath been born, none, Indra, will be born like thee. Thou hast waxed mighty over all."

• Sri shankrā again quoted this for Lord Vishnu.
• As per Mahabharata and even Vālmīkī Rāmāyana, it was Lord Vishnu who helped Indra slaying vrita demon, by placing himself on the Vajra, so this interpretation is indeed correct.

Rig veda 10.82

“THE Father of the eye, the Wise in spirit, created both these worlds submerged in fatness.
Then when the eastern ends were firmly fastened, the heavens and the earth were far extended. Mighty in mind and power is Visvakarman, Maker, Disposer, and most lofty Presence. Their offerings joy in rich juice where they value One, only One, beyond the Seven Ṛṣis. Father who made us, he who, as Disposer, knoweth all races and all things existing, Even he alone, the Deities' narne-giver,him other beings seek for information. To him in sacrifice they offered treasures,—Ṛṣis of old, in numerous troops, as singers, Who, in the distant, near, and lower region, made ready all these things that have existence. That which is earlier than this earth and heaven, before the Asuras and Gods had being,— What was the germ primeval which the waters received where all the Gods were seen together? The waters, they received that germ primeval wherein the Gods were gathefed all together. It rested set upon the Unborn's navel, that One wherein abide all things existing.”

• A similar verse has been quoted From the Yajurveda Taittirīya Samhītā by Sri adi Shankaracharya, where on the navel of the unborn Lord, The one takes birth who Creates the universe. There also, He is is described as the all father who begat all Gods.
• Here again, Viswakarma is shown as the “Unborn” on who navel the existence resides, so undoubtedly, the viswakarma here is lord Vishnu, and interestingly, in yajur veda also, It is viswakarma only.

Rig veda 10.90

“A THOUSAND heads hath Puruṣa, a thousand eyes, a thousand feet. On every side pervading earth he fills a space ten fingers wide. This Puruṣa is all that yet hath been and all that is to be; The Lord of Immortality which waxes greater still by food. So mighty is his greatness; yea, greater than this is Puruṣa……….The Moon was gendered from his mind, and from his eye the Sun had birth; Indra and Agni from his mouth were born, and Vāyu from his breath. Forth from his navel came mid-air the sky was fashioned from his head Earth from his feet, and from his car the regions. Thus they formed the worlds."

• The supreme purusha of vedas is none other than Lord Vishnu. The Purusha suktam of all the four vedas Matches a lot with the sarg 117, yuddha kanda of Vālmīkī Rāmāyana. I have written an answer on this, Check the comments to get the link.

The Viswakarma Suktam (considering any veda) Talks about How Lord Viswakarma is “unborn” and from his navel comes the one who creates the entire universe :

Yajur veda Taittirīya Samhītā 4.6.2

This germ the waters first bore, When all the gods came together; On the navel of the unborn is set the one On which doth rest all this world. In many a place did he deposit the germ of the waters. Father of the eye, the sage with his mind, Produced these two worlds rich in ghee, When the fore ends were made firm, Then did sky and earth extend.

We all know, The Unborn one is None other than Lord Vasudeva, and The one who is born from his navel, is Lord Brahma, who creates rest of the universe. Further, This has been confirmed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya himself that This is none other than Lord Nārāyana. The Rig veda also says the same thing, but in a different way :

Rig veda 10.82

The waters, they received that germ primeval wherein the Gods were gathefed all together. It rested set upon the Unborn's navel, that One wherein abide all things existing. Ye will not find him who produced these creatures: another thing hath risen up among you. Enwrapt in misty cloud, with lips that stammer, hymn-chanters wander and are discontented.

Additionally, there are multiple Things in purusha suktam, Narayana suktam, Multiple Vedic verses and authentic Upanishads dedicated to Lord Vishnu, which match with Viswakarma suktam, plus quoting it for Sri Keshava by Shankracharya Itself is enough to Explain the identity of visvakarma and purusha of vedas.

Another example is Agni. The Yajur veda says brahma was Generated from womb of ‘agni'

Yajur veda 13.1–5

Thou art the waters’ back, the womb of Agni, around the ocean as it swells and surges. Waxing to greatness, resting on the lotus, spread forth in amplitude with heaven's own measure. Eastward at first was Brahma generated. Vena o’erspread the bright Ones from the summit, Disclosed his deepest nearest revelations, womb of existent and of non-existent.

We all know, And even evident from Viswakarma suktam and epics, That Brahma dev was generated from none other than Lord Narayana. Also, Agni has Been shown to have Thousand eyes, heads :

yajur veda 17.35

“O Agni, thousand-eyed and hundred-headed, thy breaths are hundred, thy through-breaths a thousand. Thou art the Lord of thousandfold possessions. To thee; for strength, may we present oblation.”

This again matches with several texts and verses dedicated to Lord Keshava :

• “He who hath eyes on all sides round about him, a mouth on all sides, arms and feet on all sides, He the Sole God, producing earth and heaven, weldeth them, with his arms as wings, together.” (RV 10.81)
• "A THOUSAND heads hath Puruṣa, a thousand eyes, a thousand feet. On every side pervading earth he fills a space ten fingers wide. This Puruṣa is all that yet hath been and all that is to be; The Lord of Immortality which waxes greater still by food. So mighty is his greatness; yea, greater than this is Puruṣa." (RV 10.90)
• With thousand feet, with hundred heads and with thousand eyes along with Lakshmi the goddess of wealth, you bear the earth with all its created beings along with its mountains. O Rama! You appear as Sesha, a large serpent in water, at the earth's bottom, bearing the three worlds, gods, Gandharvas, the celestial musicians and the demons. (RV 6.117)

Moreover, He has been directly equated to Agni :

Rig veda 3.55

vishnur gOpA: paramam pAti pAtha: priyA dhAmanyamrutA dadhAna: | agnishTaa viSvA bhuvanAni vEda mahat dEvAnAmasuratvam yEkam

“Pervading and protecting ALL, possessing immortal radiance (as Agni), He (VishNu) preserves the Supreme path of rains, for the divine fire is conscious of all these worlds. For VishNu’s glory in nature’s bounties is great and unequalled”.

Rig veda 10.1

VishNur ittthA paramam asya vidvAn jAtO brihann abhi pAti trutIyam

VishNu becomes vast and wise as soon as He is manifested, and pervades the entire Universe. He as fire divine protects His third form (the Sun).

Further, It is also written that “Agni is all deities” and same is Said for God Nārāyana Keshava also

• “THOU, Agni, shining in thy glory through the days, art brought to life from out the waters, from the stone: From out the forest trees and herbs that grow on ground, thou, Sovran Lord of men art generatad (sic) pure. Thine is the Herald's task and Cleanser's duly timed; Leader art thou, and Kindler for the pious man. Thou art Director, thou the ministering Priest: thou art the Brahman, Lord and Master in our home. Hero of Heroes, Agni! Thou art Indra, thou art Visnu of the Mighty Stride, adorable: Thou, Brahmanaspati, the Brahman finding wealth: thou, O Sustainer, with thy wisdom tendest us . Agni, thou art King Varuna whose laws stand fast; as Mitra, Wonder-Worker, thou must be implored. Aryaman, heroes' Lord, art thou, enrich ing all, and liberal Amsa in the synod, O thou God. Thou givest strength, as Tvastar, to the worshipper: thou wielding Mitra's power hast kinship with the Dames. Thou, urging thy fleet coursers, givest noble steeds: a host of heroes art thou with great store of wealth. Rudra art thou, the Asura of mighty heaven: thou art the Maruts' host, thou art the Lord of food…” (RV 2.1)
• “Aum! Narayana desired to create people. Because of this thought, Soul (prana) rose from him. Mind and all body parts, sky, air, light, water and the earth which can carry all these created beings took their form. From Narayana, Brahma was born. From Narayana, Rudra was born. From Narayana, Indra was born .From Narayana those people who rule these human beings were born. From Narayana, the twelve suns, eleven Rudras, Eight Vasus and all those meters (for writing) were born. All these function because of Narayana. All these end in Narayana.” (Narayana Upanishad, as quoted by Sri Adi Shankaracharya)
• Other examples include the Narayana suktam, Mahabharata, Ramayana and the pancharatra agamas.

Hence, Even Agni in vedas is God Narayana Keshava.

The Indra of vedas, as already discussed in previous answers, Is Lord Narayana, so here I will explain it in short. Lord Brahma prays to Lord Rama as follows

• “You perform action for Indra the lord of celestials, the Supreme Ruler, the one having a lotus in one's navel and who puts an end to all in battle. The divine sages pronounce you to be fit to afford protection to all and the refuge for all.” (6.117 VR)
• “In the form of the Vedas, you are the great Bull with hundred heads (rules) and thousand horns (precepts). You are the first creator of all, the three worlds, and the self constituted Lord of all. You are the refuge and the forbear of Siddhas (a class of demi-gods endowed with mystic powers by virtue of their very birth) and Sadhyas (a class of celestial beings.)” (6.117 VR)

Lord Brahma himself made it clear in Vedavatara Valmiki ramayana, That It is Lord Rama who does all work of Indra i.e Who is the actual Indra of vedas and Is the First creator, and Supreme Lord of the Three worlds. Indra has been described in a similar way :

• “He who is Lord of all the world that moves and breathes, who for the Brahman first before all found the Cows; Indra who cast the Dasyus down beneath his feet,—him girt by Maruts we invoke to be our Friend.” (RV 1.101)
• Let us praise him who made these worlds and creatures, all things that after him sprang into being. May we win Mitra with our songs, and Indra, and. wait upon our Lord with adoration. ( Rv 8.85)
• In Various vedic verses, purusha suktam, Narayana suktam, Visvakarma suktam, Ramayana, Mahabharata and Other literature, Lord Vishnu alone is Said to be the creator of the Three worlds.

Moreover, There is another reference in Vedavatara Valmiki ramayana, which proves that Lord Narayana is also called Indra. Lord Rama received his Sharanga Bow, along with other Weapons from sage Agastya, and Sharanga has been described as Bow of Indra and then It is called Bow of Vishnu

• “He slew the rakshasa Viradha and saw Sharabhanga. He met Suteekshna, Agastya and his brother. Following Agastya’s words, he received Indra’s bow and arrow, a sword and two inexhaustible quivers and was extremely pleased.” (VR 1.1)
• “This sacred bow that is decorated with gold and diamonds is crafted by the divine architect Vishvakarma pertains to Vishnu, and these unwasteful arrows equalling sun in their blaze are the gift of Brahma.” (VR 3.12)

So here again, Lord Vishnu has been called “Indra” by sage Nārada. Also, RV 6.47 talks of How “Indra” assumes multiple forms by his Maya, But we all know, And from the Description of various avataras of Lord Vishnu in vedas, that It is Lord Narayana who assumes different forms (avatars) using his Maya. Rv 1.80 says Indra eliminated “Maya mrig” but in Valmiki Ramayana, it was Lord Rama who called Mareecha, who was in the form of a mriga. In AV 3.16, the name of Maa sita's consort is said to be indra, But We all know, It is none other than Lord Rama. Further, Even Sri Adi Shankaracharya Quoted multiple verses, which praised “Indra”, for God Vasudeva, so even he agreed that Indra of vedas is God vasudeva.

Hence, Even Indra of vedas is None other than God Sri Hari Keshava.