http://vedabase.

net/sb/2/en
(Honestly speaking Avish Prabhu, I find it very difficult to ignore the e-mails of my well-wishers. My intention is always to
give them a good response as soon as possible. I do not want them to be felt ignored. That is why despite of other
responsibilities, I wrote this reply to your query.)

Vasudev in the chatur-vyuha form of Lord Krishna is also known as Kshirodakshayi Vishnu. He resides in the Shwetdwip.
He resides in everyones soul as Parmatma. He is nirgun i.e without any mayic qualities.
Virat Purush is also known as Garbhodakshayi Vishnu. He expands into a universe. Lord Krishna showed Arjuna this Virat
or universal form while singing Bhagvad Gita.
Aksharbrahm / Brahm has two forms. One form represents the effulgent rays of Krishna (i.e Brahm-jyoti) and the other form
known as Akshar-Purush (also known as the Maha-Vishnu) creates innumerable universes. He lies down in the causal
ocean on the bed of Ananta Shesha and initiates the creation by glancing at His personified material energy, Maya.

From Maha-Vishnu come the other two Vishnus; Garbhodakashayi Vishnu and Kshirodakashayi Vishnu. Since akshar-
purush (or the Maha-Purush is the source of all material creation, he can be rightly said as the right hand man of Lord
Krishna. Infact, this akshar-purush is the aadhar (support) of this world. He is the cause of countless brahmands or universes.

Vedas and Upanishads sing the glory of not only Parbrahm but also Brahm. This Brahm is none other than this akshar-
purush or Maha-Vishnu.

Thus, Maha-Vishnu, Kshirodakshayi Vishnu and the Garbhodakshayi Vishnu are the descents of Lord Krishna related with
creation of the universe. They are expansions of Krishna. Since, these expansions (or ansh) have emerged from Krishna the
avtari, they are avatars and Krishna, being the source of all expansions is the avtari. The avtars dont possess all qualities of
Krishna. They are just one or two or three facets of Krishna. Since, Krishna is a multi-faceted Purush and aadhar of even
akshar-purush, he is also known as Purushottam. (the Finest Purush).

Its true that in most of the Puranas all the stories of incarnations starts by demigods like Brahma offering austerities and
praying to Kshirodakshayi Vishnu on the shores of milk ocean about the state of adharma on earth and hence have mercy
upon the living entities and incarnate. Kshirodakshayi Vishnu then pleased by the prayers and austerities of Brahma assures
him in a language undecipherable to other demigods that The Supreme God / I will soon incarnate on this earth and
establish dharma.

In the dasham skandh of Shrimad Bhagvatam, there comes a story of Krishna going to the abode of Bhuma-Purush (or the
Maha-Vishnu) to fetch the children of a Brahmin. In this story, Lord Krishna performed dandvats to the Maha-Vishnu!
Arjun was confused about this. He thought in his mind why should Lord Krishna, being the Supreme God perform dandvats
to anyone? The Bhuma-Purush then orders Krishna to perform all his leelas on earth quickly and return soon! Krishna
replied that I will soon come back after killing all the Yadavas. The Bhuma Purush then gave all the babies of the Brahmin
to Krishna. Bhuma-Purush kidnapped Brahmins babies just to summon Krishna.

In some Puranas, it is mentioned that Lord Krishna and Balram are just hairs (minor expansions) of the Virat Purush or the
Garbhodakshayi Vishnu!

This naturally creates confusion in the minds of ordinary readers like you and me that Kshirodakshayi Vishnu or
Garbhodakshayi Vishnu are the source of all incarnations (even the source of Lord Krishna).

However, Shrimad Bhagwatam, the summary of all Purnas declare that :

ete chamsha-kalah pumsah
krishnas tu bhagavan svayam (1.3.28)

"All of the above-mentioned incarnations (including Maha-Vishnu, Kshirodakshayi Vishnu and Garbhodakshayi Vishnu) are
either plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord, but Lord Sri Krishna is the original Personality of
Godhead."

Since all the Vishnus are representations of Krishna, they have been referred to in scriptures as the Supreme God themselves.
This is the cause of confusion among masses. This is like a Vice-President (Production) of a company mistaken by an
outsider as a Chairman. Only an insider would know that there are many such Vice-Presidents in our company. They all
report to an MD and the Managing Director in turn, reports to the Chairman.

Take ordinary people like you and me as masses, and take the Satpurush - bonafide Acharyas like Shrila Vyasa, Shrila
Madhvacharya, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Shrila Prabhupada or even Shrimad Vallbhacharya as an insider. Even
Shankaracharya has declared Lord Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

If these great personalities believe that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then why should we not consider
Him as such? If we dont consider Him as the source of everything, we wont even get a place in His Supreme abode. Thus,
we should have faith in the words of great Acharyas.

I hope that this resolves your query.

Your servant,
Veeral Gandhi