Vishnu
विष्णु
The preserver of the universe, who descends as avatars to restore dharma.
Biography
Vishnu is one of the three principal deities of the Trimurti, representing preservation and sustenance. He dwells in Vaikuntha, reclines on the serpent Shesha on the cosmic ocean, and holds the conch (shankha), discus (chakra), mace (gada), and lotus (padma). His consort is Lakshmi. He descends as avatars (dashavatara) whenever dharma declines — most notably as Rama and Krishna. He is the central deity of Vaishnavism.
Family Relationships
Major Events
Dashavatara
Ten primary avatars: Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha (or Balarama), Kalki.
Churning of the Ocean
Supported the churning as Kurma (tortoise), and Lakshmi emerged as his consort.
Bhagavad Gita
As Krishna, delivered the divine teaching to Arjuna.
Important Dialogues
“I am Time, the destroyer of worlds. I am the origin and dissolution of all that exists. There is nothing beyond Me.”
Bhagavad Gita 10.20, 11.32
Ethical Dilemmas
When to intervene
Vishnu does not prevent all evil — he intervenes only when dharma is critically threatened.
Resolution
This reflects the principle that the divine allows free will and karma to operate, intervening only at critical junctures.
Related Verses
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत
yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānirbhavati bhārata
Whenever dharma declines and adharma rises, I manifest Myself.
Bhagavad Gita 4.7ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
oṃ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya
Om, salutations to the Lord Vasudeva (Vishnu/Krishna).
Vishnu MantraInterpretations Across Traditions
Sri Vaishnavism
Vishnu (Narayana) is the supreme God. Liberation comes through prapatti (surrender) and His grace (prasada).
Gaudiya Vaishnavism
Krishna is the source of Vishnu (not vice versa). Vishnu is an expansion of Krishna for cosmic maintenance.
Advaita Vedanta
Vishnu represents saguna Brahman — the personal aspect of the formless Absolute. All forms lead to the formless.
Smartism
Vishnu is one of the five primary deities (Panchayatana), equally valid as a path to the Supreme.