What is meant by Archavatharam

Archavatharam (Perumal manifests in 5 forms)

Lord Sriman Narayana manifests himself in five stages viz, Param, Vyuham,Vibhavam,Antaryami and Archa in different forms and places. These five form are well concentrated in one place called Srirangam. Let us see what is this 5 stages are and see how it is ubiquitous.

Param : This emphasis the lord who is in Sri Vaikuntam or Paramapadam (Sriman Narayanan as roopa of Paravasudevar)

Vyuham : Sri Narayanan reclining on Adhisesha , in this Perumal exist in four forms (Vzuha vasudevan,Samkarshana,Pradhzumanan,Annirudhan)

Vibhavam : Perumal manifests himself in form of 10 Avatarams called dasavatharams

Courtesy : Anudinam.org.

Antharyami : All thoughts about Sriman Narayana. i.e., He residing in the heart of his creations as a soul. Independent of the physical body (Our Mortal beings have birth/death, but soul does not) so, while living in this world think of Sriman Narayanan and be good. This means surrender yourself to lord itself.

Archa : The fourth stage in the order and his presence in the form of images installed and consecrated in the temples by the devotees for the worship is called Archa, this is considered to be the most suitable for the mortals in Kaliyuga to evoke His grace. The devotees Centralise their thoughts on the charm of the idols and remain dumb founded in a meditative mood in a communion with the Almighty.

Om Namo Narayana!