Vishnu is a principal deity in Hinduism, considered the god of preservation and the protector of the universe.
As part of the Hindu Trimurti (alongside Brahma the creator and Shiva the destroyer), his role is to maintain cosmic order and restore balance in times of trouble.
Worshippers consider him the supreme being and believe he periodically incarnates as an avatar to help humanity, with Krishna and Rama being two of his most famous incarnations.
Key attributes and roles
- The Preserver: Vishnu's primary function is to preserve the universe.
- Protector of Dharma: He safeguards the moral and natural order of the world.
- Incarnations (Avatars): Vishnu is believed to descend to Earth in various forms to combat evil, with his ten most famous avatars being collectively known as the Dashavatara.
- Supreme Being: In the tradition of Vaishnavism, Vishnu is considered the supreme god, and his devotees worship him exclusively.
Iconography and symbols
- Four hands: Vishnu is often depicted with four arms holding his sacred items.
- Discus (Sudarshana Chakra): A powerful weapon used to destroy evil.
- Mace (Kaumodaki): Another one of his weapons.
- Conch shell (Panchajanya): Used to produce the primordial sound.
- Lotus (Padma): A symbol of purity, beauty, and divine creation.
Other names and consorts
- Other names: He is also known as Narayana and Hari, among many others listed in texts like the Vishnu Sahasranama.
- Consort: His consort is the goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.