Padmanabha

is a name of Lord Vishnu as stated in the great 1000 names of Vishnu, the Vishnu Sahasranama. Its literal meaning is the lotus navelled. Padma means lotus and nabha means navel. Adi Shankara stated that the lotus stands in the navel of Vishnu, who is the sustainer and preserving deity caring for the entire universe. The lotus here symbolizes the cause of the universe. Lord Vishnu is free from birth and death. He is endless, omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. Therefore, the entire creation is present in his navel, that is, in the centre of the great Vishnu, from where He takes care of all beings and life in all the worlds. We can explain existence and the operations of the Divine using many symbols. As with all spiritual names, there is deep meaning and important portent for the spiritual aspirant in this name. The goal of human life, as Swamiji often explains to us, is to find the Self within. In this respect we can understand that Lord Vishnu and all His qualities lie in the lotus of the heart within the human being. We are talking of the spiritual heart, the very core of our being. There, Padmanabha shines as the goal of self-realization. He exists within our own universe as the centre and sustainer of creation. Knowing this is the goal of life.