Vishnu— Hindu God"The Preserver"

The Preserver

Vishnu is the sustainer of the universe, one of the supreme deities of Hinduism and part of the Trimurti alongside Brahma the creator and Shiva the destroyer. While Brahma creates the universe and Shiva will eventually destroy it, Vishnu maintains cosmic order (dharma) throughout its existence. He represents mercy, goodness, and the preservation of life.

The Cosmic Dreamer

In one profound image, Vishnu reclines on the cosmic serpent Shesha (Ananta), floating on the primordial ocean of milk. He sleeps in yogic slumber, and from his navel grows a lotus bearing Brahma, who creates the universe. When Vishnu awakens, the universe is sustained; when he sleeps again, it dissolves. Thus existence itself depends on Vishnu's divine consciousness.

The Ten Avatars

Whenever evil threatens to overwhelm the world and dharma declines, Vishnu descends to earth in a mortal form called an avatar. The ten principal avatars (Dashavatara) include Matsya the fish, who saved the world from a great flood; Kurma the tortoise, who supported Mount Mandara during the churning of the cosmic ocean; Varaha the boar, who rescued the earth from a demon; and Narasimha the man-lion, who destroyed an invincible tyrant.

Rama and Krishna

Vishnu's most beloved avatars are Rama and Krishna. Rama, hero of the Ramayana, is the ideal king, son, and husband—the perfect man who defeats the demon king Ravana. Krishna, central to the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita, is the divine friend and teacher who reveals the paths of devotion, knowledge, and action. Millions worship Rama and Krishna as supreme gods in their own right.

Symbols and Attributes

Vishnu is depicted with blue skin, representing the infinite sky and ocean. He holds four objects: the conch shell (divine sound), the discus Sudarshana (the mind and time), the mace (strength), and the lotus (purity and creation). He rides the eagle Garuda and is often shown with his consort Lakshmi, goddess of fortune.

Worship

Vaishnavism, the worship of Vishnu and his avatars, is one of the largest branches of Hinduism with hundreds of millions of followers. The Hare Krishna movement has brought Vishnu worship worldwide. Devotees believe that by chanting Vishnu's names and showing devotion (bhakti), they can achieve liberation from the cycle of rebirth.