The Greatness of Vayu
Vayu served Lord Rama as Hanumanta in his
first incarnation. As Bhimasena he served Lord in his second
incarnation. Acharya Madhva is believed to be his third
incarnation. This is based on authentic and holy vedic
references like the BaLiththa sUkta ViShNu sUkta, and so on. In
order to understand the glory of the Madhva incarnation it is
important to get an idea about Vayu and his greatness.
Vayu occupies a very high place in the hierarchy of gods, next only to Lord Narayana and Lakshmi, and equal to Brahma in status. He is expected to take up the Brahma position in the next cycle of creation. He is the Lord’s dearest devotee and considered as the best ‘adhisthAna’ (icon) to worship the Lord. There are hundreds of references in Shruti and Smruti that underscore his position in the hierarchy, his strength, devotion and other qualities. That is why he is called ‘jIvottama’ or the best amongst jIvas (sentient beings) whereas Hari is Sarvottama.
Vayu occupies a very high place in the hierarchy of gods, next only to Lord Narayana and Lakshmi, and equal to Brahma in status. He is expected to take up the Brahma position in the next cycle of creation. He is the Lord’s dearest devotee and considered as the best ‘adhisthAna’ (icon) to worship the Lord. There are hundreds of references in Shruti and Smruti that underscore his position in the hierarchy, his strength, devotion and other qualities. That is why he is called ‘jIvottama’ or the best amongst jIvas (sentient beings) whereas Hari is Sarvottama.