Vishnu Supremacy from Vaishnava perspective (incomplete)

Viṣṇu is identified with the sacrifice in the Vedas since vedic times Taittirīyasaṃhitā, 6.2.4.2 & Śatapathabrāhmaṇa, 1.2.5.5

He is mentioned as the germ of the sacrifice. ( ṚV 1.156.3)

In hymn 7.99 of Rigveda, Indra-Vishnu is equivalent and produce the sun, with the verses asserting that this sun is the source of all energy and light for all.

In the Śatapathabrāhmaṇa, both Viṣṇu and sacrifice are mentioned as identical (Śatapathabrāhmaṇa, 1.1.2.13)

Through all this world strode Vishnu: thrice his foot he planted, and the whole Was gathered in his footstep's dust. Vishnu, the guardian, he whom none deceiveth, made three steps, thenceforth

Establishing his high decrees.

— Sama Veda, Part 2, Book VIII, Chapter II, verses 1-2

He is cited as the producer of Sūrya, Uṣas and Agni in the Ṛgvedasaṃhitā (RV 7.99.4)

To Viṣṇu, to the Mighty whom the Maruts follow let your hymns born in song go forth, Evayamarut;

To the impetuous, strong band, adorned with bracelets, that rushes on in joy and ever roars for vigour. (RV 5.87.1)

Interestingly, Viṣṇu is worshipped to bestow heat on the sacrifice viṣṇuryunaktu bahudhā tapāṃsyasmin yajñe suyujaḥ svāhā// Atharvavedasaṃhitā, 5.26.7

Vishnu the guardian, he whom none deceiveth, made three steps, thenceforth.

—Atharva Veda 7.26.4

Viṣṇu is mentioned as the generative force in the Vedas. He is regarded as the protector of the embryos(etvacchā viṣṇuṃ niṣiktapāmavobhiḥ..RV 7.36.9)

विष्णोर्मुकं वीर्याणि प्रवोचं यः पार्थिवानि विममे रजा सि.

यो अस्कभायदुत्तरं सधस्थं विचक्रमाणस्त्रेधोरुगायो विष्णवे त्वा..

--Yajurved.

Taittiriya Aranyaka 10.13.30

In the Yajurveda, Taittiriya Aranyaka (10.13.1), "Narayana sukta", Narayana is mentioned as the supreme being. The first verse of "Narayana Suktam" mentions the words paramam padam, which literally mean 'highest post' and may be understood as the 'supreme abode for all Selfs'. This is also known as Param Dhama, Paramapadam, or Vaikuntha. Rigveda 1.22.20 also mentions the same paramam padam.

“The Hymn of the Puruṣa, of Hari, leading to heaven, leading to wealth, creating fame— this is the merit- winning knowledge of the self, this is the highest knowledge of yoga”

— Rigvidhana III.186 referring to Rigveda X:90

Īśvara in the form of a crocodile/alligator, whose -

Head is Dharma.

Jaws are Brahma & Yajña.

Heart is Viṣṇu.

Front feet are the two Aśvins.

Hind feet are Mitra & Varuṇa.

Stomach is Atri.

Joints of the tail are Agni, Indra, Prajapati, Abhaya.

[Taittirīya Āraṇyaka 2.19]

(Name of the animal is Śiśumāra, which is also translated as Dolphin. As the front and hind feet have been mentioned, it cannot be a Dolphin. Cakrapāṇidatta translates it as 'Gotuṇḍanakra' (Caraka 1.27.40), where 'nakra' points to a crocodile/alligator.)

Indra was not any individual but a post is also clear from Rigveda itself... Sāyaṇacharya makes it clear he attained that position through penance=100 Asvamedha

In puranas also Indra-pada belongs to one individual for one manvantara. Current Indra is Purandara. In next manvantara Bali (daityaraja) will become Indra.

It is only through the help of Visnu, Indra able to conquer Vrtra.

With

Srimadacharya Aitareya Bhashya end with this mystic declaration सर्वैश्च वैदिकपदैरपि लोकशब्दैर्मेघाग्निवारिधितलादिरवैश्च सर्वैः । एकोऽभिधेयपरिपूर्णगुणः प्रियोऽलं नारायणो मम सदैव सुतुष्टिमेतु ॥

Rayaru PSG(Pratah Sankalpa Gadya) starts with

ॐ लौकिकवैदिकभेदभिन्नवर्णात्मक-ध्वन्यात्मक-अशेषशब्दार्थ......

Meaning word by word:-

सर्वैः च वैदिकपदैः अपि लोकशब्दैः

All words by Vedas, all wordly words (that which we use in common speak)

मेघ-अग्नि-वारिधि-तल-आदि-रवैः च सर्वैः

Words like clouds, fire, ocean, earth light others

एको अभिधेय-परिपूर्ण-गुणः प्रियः अलं नारायणः

All the words refer to only him

मम सदैव सुतुष्टिम् एतु

May bring me happiness always

Then:

ॐ लौकिकवैदिकभेदभिन्नवर्णात्मक-ध्वन्यात्मक-अशेषशब्दार्थ

लौकिक - all worldly word (common speech)

वैदिक - all words from vedas

वर्णात्मक - all varnas (letters - ka, gha.. so on)

ध्वन्यात्मक - all sounds

शब्दा - all words

describe him only

In fact Pratah Sankalpa Gadya is one sentence.

Vishnu as Sri(Laxmi pati) :—

The first appearance of the goddess श्रीः ｢Śrī́ḥ｣ in the #Ṛgveda apocrypha.

She's also the spouse of Viṣṇu in the same hymn.

Earlier a common noun (=Av. srī-), roughly “splendor”, and coordinate with terms like तेज॑स् ｢téjas｣ and ब्र॒ह्म॒व॒र्च॒सम् ｢brahma-varcasám｣.

cc:-@dxrsam_∅

Vishnu as the holder of Chakra in his hand :-

For interesting omens and portents- statues of Gods weeping, laughing, dancing, blinking; rivers flowing in opposite direction; coals fall from horse's tail; kabandha appears in the sun; To pacify these, a sthālīpāka with idam viShNur vichakrame is offered followed by ghee oblations with vishNave svAhA; sarvabhUtAdhipataye svAhA; chakrapANaye svAhA; IshvarAya svAhA; sarva pApa shamanAya svAhA; are offered. SAman on the same verse is sung 108 times.

Note the reference to chakrapANi.

English translation:-

Each letter must be contemplated.

वर्णानां चिन्तनं ध्यानं सम्यक् पापप्रणाशनम् [Gayatri-tantra I.214]

Bharadvaja Shrauta Sutra explicitly identifies Yama Raja with Dharma itself. Probably one of the earliest Vedic text to do so.

It also identifies him with Vishnu.

Fertility aspect of vishnu: Rigvidhana actually prescribes Purushasuktam for someone desiring progeny.

Vedic Tantrism: A Study of Rgvidhana of Saunaka (Text, Eng. Tr.) by M.S. Bhatt

विष्णवे चक्रहस्ताय । लक्ष्मीसहिताय । त्रैलोक्याधिपतये ।। ~ Kathaka Brahmana 6/10

The other reference has been attached to this, which is from the mantra samhita of rig veda.

Vishnu Puran talks of brahmaa rupi Vishnu taking Varah Avtar

Valmiki Ramayana says that Brahma took the Varaha avatara somewhere,

In linga and brahmand puran as well . And narayan word too is used for him. Though he Vishnu is said to become Brahma.

In Harivansh Puran too Prajapati gives boon to Dhruva.

"In the form of the Vedas, you(Rama) 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& the forbear of Siddhas &Sadhyas"

~V Ramayana 6.120.18-19

"You are the form of sacrifice ritual you are worshipped by Vasat. You are the syllable OM. Only the highest of the higher know you. You are without a beginning or end. Who you are is not known to Vedas also?"

~Valmiki Ramayana 6.119.20 on Rama

Rudra said to Sri Pārvatī —" Those who deluded by ignorance, describe any other deity as being superior to Vishnu, the Lord of the world, are said to be heretics"

—Padma Purana