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Vishnu

विष्णु • Viṣṇu

"The All-Pervading One; from root 'vish' (to pervade)"

Trimurti Preserver Vaishnavism
Narayana Hari Madhava Keshava Govinda Jagannath Vasudeva
Epithets
Padmanabha (Lotus-naveled) Chaturbhuja (Four-armed) Shrinivasa (Abode of Lakshmi) Jagadisha (Lord of World) Achyuta (Infallible)

Category & Classification

Type
Trimurti
Position
Preserver
Tradition
Vaishnavism

Iconography

Form
Beautiful divine figure reclining on Sheshanaga or standing
Complexion
Dark blue (representing infinity like the sky and ocean)
Faces
1
Arms
4
Posture
Standing (Sthanaka), Reclining (Shayana), Seated (Asana)
Dress
Yellow silk (Pitambara)
Vahana
Garuda (Divine Eagle)
Attributes & Weapons
  • Shankha (Conch) (Upper left) - Pranava (Om); the five elements; call to dharma
  • Chakra (Sudarshana Discus) (Upper right) - Mind; time; cosmic order; destruction of evil
  • Gada (Mace/Kaumodaki) (Lower left) - Knowledge; power; sovereignty
  • Padma (Lotus) (Lower right) - Purity; creation; spiritual liberation
Garuda (Divine Eagle) — Speed; power over serpents (ignorance); Vedic knowledge
Mudras
  • Abhaya mudra
  • Varada mudra
Ornaments
Kaustubha gem Vaijayanti garland Shrivatsa mark Crown (Kirita) Earrings

Family & Relations

Origin Eternal; without beginning or end; the Supreme Being in Vaishnava tradition
Consort Lakshmi (goddess of wealth and fortune); also Bhudevi (Earth goddess)
Children Kama (god of love), Various through avatars
Abode Vaikuntha (eternal spiritual realm beyond material universe); Kshira Sagara (Ocean of Milk) in material realm

Mythology & Stories

Eternal; without beginning or end; the Supreme Being in Vaishnava tradition

Samudra Manthan (Ocean Churning)

Vishnu orchestrated the churning of the cosmic ocean, became Kurma to support Mount Mandara, and as Mohini distributed the Amrita (nectar of immortality).

Source: Bhagavata Purana

Dashavatar (Ten Incarnations)

Vishnu incarnates in various forms to protect dharma whenever evil threatens cosmic order.

Source: Various Puranas

Vishnu's Three Steps

Vishnu's famous three strides covered earth, atmosphere, and heaven, establishing his all-pervading nature.

Source: Rigveda, Vishnu Purana

Gajendra Moksha

Vishnu instantly appeared to save the elephant Gajendra from a crocodile when Gajendra surrendered completely.

Source: Bhagavata Purana

Worship & Mantras

Mantras

Beej Mantra

Om Namo Narayanaya

Mool Mantra

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya (12-syllable Dwadashakshari)

Gayatri Mantra

Om Narayanaya Vidmahe Vasudevaya Dhimahi Tanno Vishnuh Prachodayat

Stotras & Hymns
Vishnu Sahasranama Vishnu Ashtakam Vishnu Stuti
Auspicious Days
Thursday Ekadashi (every fortnight)
Offerings
  • Tulsi leaves (sacred basil)
  • Yellow flowers
  • Milk
  • Butter
  • Kheer

Temples

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

Srirangam, Tamil Nadu

Largest functioning Hindu temple; most sacred Vaishnava shrine

Tirumala Venkateswara Temple

Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

Richest and most visited temple in the world

Badrinath Temple

Uttarakhand

One of Char Dham; Vishnu meditating

Jagannath Temple

Puri, Odisha

One of Char Dham; unique iconography

Associated Festivals

Vaikuntha Ekadashi Janmashtami (Krishna) Ram Navami All Vishnu avatar festivals

Astrological Connection

Planet
Associated with Jupiter (Guru) and Mercury
Nakshatra
Shravana, Punarvasu
Day
Thursday; Ekadashi
Remedial For
Jupiter afflictions General protection Spiritual progress Material prosperity

Symbolism & Philosophy

Cosmic Role: Sustainer and preserver of the universe; maintains cosmic order (Rta)

Compassion Protection Preservation Righteousness Grace

Represents Sattva guna (purity); the divine that pervades all existence; accessible through devotion (bhakti)