THE LIVING ARCHIVE
About Vanamala
The name Vanamala means a forest garland. It belongs to Vishnu's recognizable appearance together with his ornaments and other emblems. Its religious meaning comes from being worn by the deity and from explanations of that divine form.
The Bhagavata Purana relates the garland to Maya and its varied gunas, or qualities of material nature. This explanation places the world's diversity upon Vishnu's person. The garment, sacred thread, earrings and crown also receive symbolic meanings in the same passage.
More About Vanamala
Vanamala is a forest-flower garland; it can overlap with Vaijayanti terminology in some traditions.
