Vishnu

Bhagavata Purana (Ancient Stories of the Lord) Manuscript LACMA M.88.134.4 (2 of 2)

Lakshmi Vishnu

Vishnu sleeps on the coils of Ananta (the World Snake). He will awake for the next cycle of creation which heralds the destruction of all things. Sculpture. From India, c. 14th century CE. National Museum of Scotland

Vishnu is one of the principal deities of Hinduism, the world's oldest living religion. He is the preserver and protector of the universe, often depicted as a blue-skinned being with four arms, holding a lotus, mace, conch, and discus. Vishnu is part of the Hindu Trinity that includes Brahma, the creator, and Shiva, the destroyer. His role is to return to the earth in troubled times and restore the balance of good and evil. Vishnu's incarnations, known as Avatars, include well-known figures such as Rama, Krishna, and Buddha in certain traditions.

Beliefs and Worship

Vishnu is worshipped across many traditions of Hinduism. Devotees, known as Vaishnavas, consider him the Supreme Being. Vishnu's worship involves a range of practices, from simple prayer to elaborate rituals. His temples, found across India and in many other countries, are centers of devotion and cultural activities. The most famous temple dedicated to Vishnu is the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, India.

Avatars

The concept of Avatars is central to the worship of Vishnu. These are divine beings or incarnations that descend to earth to bring dharma (order) back to the world. The most famous avatars of Vishnu are Rama, the hero of the epic Ramayana, and Krishna, a central figure in the Mahabharata and the focus of the Bhagavad Gita. There are traditionally ten avatars, known as the Dashavatara, which include Matsya (the fish), Kurma (the tortoise), Varaha (the boar), Narasimha (the man-lion), Vamana (the dwarf), Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki (who is yet to appear).

Iconography

Vishnu's iconography is rich and detailed, symbolizing his attributes and qualities. His blue skin represents the infinite universe. The four items he holds in his hands symbolize his powers: the conch (the sound of creation), the discus (the mind), the lotus (the moving universe), and the mace (mental and physical strength). Vishnu is often depicted lying on the serpent Ananta, which represents the calm and patience in the face of fear and worries.

Festivals and Rituals

Several festivals are dedicated to the worship of Vishnu, the most prominent being Vaikuntha Ekadashi, a day believed to grant liberation to the souls of devotees. Another important festival is Janmashtami, which celebrates the birth of Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu. These festivals are marked by fasting, singing hymns, prayer, and reading scriptures.

Influence on Indian Culture

Vishnu's influence extends beyond religion into Indian culture, art, and literature. Stories of his avatars, particularly Rama and Krishna, are recounted in epics, dramas, and dances across India. Vishnu's teachings, especially those related to dharma and the moral order of the universe, have shaped Indian thought and philosophy.

See Also

• Hindu mythology
• Vaishnavism
• Trimurti
• Bhagavad Gita