Eternal Servants of Lord Vishnu-Nārāyaṇa: Ādiśeṣa, Viśvaksena and Garuḍa According to Śrīvaishnavism: Journal of Vaishnava Studies

Abstract

Among the myriad of nitya-suris (“eternally-free souls”) belonging to Lord Vishnu-Nārāyaṇa’s retinue of heavenly servants is a unique
Trio1 comprised of: (1) Ādiśeṣa, also frequently referred to as Śeṣa or Ananta, who is the king of serpents on whom Lord Vishnu reclines in Vaikuṇṭa, on the Milky Ocean, and in many Śrīvaishnava temples; (2) Garuḍa, who is the king of birds and serves as the Lord’s vehicle or vāhana; and (3) Viśvaksena, who is the commander of Lord Vishnu’s hosts or armies and the one to whom the Lord has handed over the responsibility for the management of the worlds.