Narayana with the Serpent of Eternity at the Guimet Museum, Paris

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Human beings in Hinduism worship Narayana as the Supreme God of their faith, often referred to by other names such as Vishnu or Hari. He is known for his infinite and all-pervading form, which makes him a unique and fascinating deity. In some sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Narayana is described as having a blue-colored body, four arms, and various divine attributes such as holding a lotus flower, mace, conch shell, and discus. The concept of Shesha is also deeply rooted in Hinduism, where he is considered to be the king of all nagas or snakes. He is often depicted as having multiple heads, with each head singing the glories of Vishnu. In some stories, Shesha is said to hold all the planets on his hoods and to uncoil when time moves forward and creation takes place. In Hindu mythology, Narayana is also associated with Shesha, who is considered to be one of his avatars or incarnations. This connection highlights the complex relationships between various deities in Hinduism and the multiple forms they take. The term "Narayana" can be broken down into two words: Nara and Ayana. In Sanskrit, Nara refers to human beings or living entities, while Ayana means resting place. Therefore, Narayana can also be interpreted as the resting place for all living entities. In Hindu art, Narayana is often depicted standing or sitting on an ocean, which reflects his association with water and the concept of a universal form. This depiction emphasizes his infinite and all-pervading nature, making him a unique and fascinating deity in Hinduism. Narayana is also known for his divine attributes, including his blue-colored body, four arms, and various divine objects he holds such as a lotus flower, mace, conch shell, and discus. His association with water explains the frequent depiction of Narayana standing or sitting on an ocean in Hindu art. In Hindu sacred texts like the Vedas and Puranas, Narayana is described as having a universal form (Vishvarupa) that is beyond human perception or imagination. This emphasis on his infinite and all-pervading nature highlights his unique position as the Supreme God of Hinduism. The connection between Narayana and Shesha is also significant in Hindu mythology. Shesha, who is considered to be one of Narayana's avatars, is often depicted holding all the planets on his hoods. This association reflects the complex relationships between various deities in Hinduism and the multiple forms they take. In Hindu art, Narayana is often depicted standing or sitting on an ocean, which reflects his association with water and the concept of a universal form. This depiction emphasizes his infinite and all-pervading nature, making him a unique and fascinating deity in Hinduism. The term "Narayana" can be broken down into two words: Nara and Ayana. In Sanskrit, Nara refers to human beings or living entities, while Ayana means resting place. Therefore, Narayana can also be interpreted as the resting place for all living entities. In Hindu mythology, Shesha is considered to be one of Narayana's avatars, reflecting the complex relationships between various deities in Hinduism and the multiple forms they take.