understood to be Sankarsana (form) of the Chatur-vyuha of Narayaņa. It is also often used interchangeably with Vishnu to indicate reverence, as the prefix "Maha" in Vishnu indicates the greatness and the vastness of Narayana. All the deities that bear material form like Shiva and Brahma are considered as a grain of sand in the ocean of Mahavishnu's vishvarupam. See also Garbhodakaśāyī Vishnu Kṣīrodakaśāyī Vishnu Narayana Paramatman References External links Thousand names of the Supreme (Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram) A detailed article by Stephen Knapp Forms of Vishnu Vedanta