Vishnu
Preserver of the Universe, Narayana
Lord Vishnu is the preserver within the Trimurti and the Supreme Being in Vaishnavism. He descends age after age to protect dharma, and his ten principal incarnations — the Dashavatara — include Rama and Krishna, his most widely worshipped forms.
The Story of Vishnu
Vishnu appears already in the Rigveda, where his "three strides" (Trivikrama) measure out the three worlds. In post-Vedic times he rose to great prominence, and the Mahabharata, the Vishnu Purana and the Bhagavata Purana praise him as Narayana, Hari and Vasudeva. Within the Trimurti, Brahma creates, Shiva dissolves, and Vishnu sustains and keeps the cosmos in balance. His consort is the goddess Lakshmi, his mount is the eagle Garuda, and he rests in yogic sleep on the serpent Shesha in the Ocean of Milk; his abode is Vaikuntha. In the Bhagavad Gita (4.7–8) the Lord declares that whenever dharma declines and adharma rises, he manifests age after age to protect the good, destroy evil and re-establish righteousness. This is the doctrine of the avatar. Vishnu's ten principal incarnations — the Dashavatara — are, in their traditional order: 1. Matsya — the fish, who guided Manu's boat to safety through the great flood. 2. Kurma — the tortoise, who bore Mount Mandara on his back during the churning of the ocean. 3. Varaha — the boar, who slew Hiranyaksha and raised the earth from the cosmic waters. 4. Narasimha — the man-lion, who destroyed Hiranyakashipu to protect the devotee Prahlada. 5. Vamana — the dwarf brahmin, who asked King Bali for three paces of land and spanned the three worlds. 6. Parashurama — the axe-wielding brahmin warrior, who humbled the tyrannical kshatriya kings. 7. Rama — the righteous prince of Ayodhya, Maryada Purushottama, who defeated Ravana. 8. Krishna — son of Devaki and Vasudeva, teacher of the Gita and Arjuna's charioteer (some traditions count Balarama here). 9. Buddha — the teacher of compassion and non-violence (some lists place Balarama or Jagannath here instead). 10. Kalki — the avatar yet to come, who will ride a white horse and bring the Kali Yuga to an end. Devotion to Vishnu is expressed through the Vishnu Sahasranama (from the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata), the mantras "Om Namo Narayanaya" and "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya", the Ekadashi fast and Thursday worship. "Om Jai Jagdish Hare" is his most widely sung aarti.
Iconography & Symbols
Dark-complexioned and four-armed, holding the Sudarshana discus, the Panchajanya conch, the Kaumodaki mace and a lotus; the Shrivatsa mark and Kaustubha gem on his chest, dressed in yellow silk. Often shown reclining on the serpent Shesha, with Lakshmi at his feet and Garuda nearby.
Other Names
- Narayana
- Hari
- Jagdish
- Vasudeva
- Achyuta
- Keshava
- Padmanabha
- Lakshmipati
Vishnu: Aartis, Chalisas, Stotras & Festivals
Aarti
Stotra
Vrat Katha
Festival
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the 10 avatars of Vishnu?
- In traditional order they are Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki. Some traditions count Balarama in place of Krishna or Buddha.
- Why does Vishnu take avatars?
- According to the Bhagavad Gita (4.7–8), whenever righteousness declines, the Lord descends to protect the good, destroy the wicked and re-establish dharma.
- When will the Kalki avatar appear?
- According to the Puranas, Kalki is Vishnu's tenth avatar, yet to come, who will appear at the end of the Kali Yuga to end adharma and usher in a new Satya Yuga.
- Who is Vishnu's consort and what is his mount?
- His consort is the goddess Lakshmi, his mount is the eagle Garuda, and he reclines on the serpent Shesha in the Ocean of Milk. His abode is Vaikuntha.
- Which day is auspicious for worshipping Vishnu?
- Thursday and the Ekadashi tithi are traditionally regarded as special for Vishnu worship. The Vishnu Sahasranama may be recited on any day.