Vishnu
विष्णु • Viṣṇu
"The All-Pervading One; from root 'vish' (to pervade)"
Category & Classification
Iconography
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
Mudras
- Abhaya mudra
- Varada mudra
Ornaments
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
Om Namo Narayanaya
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya (12-syllable Dwadashakshari)
Om Narayanaya Vidmahe Vasudevaya Dhimahi Tanno Vishnuh Prachodayat
Stotras & Hymns
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
Astrological Connection
Symbolism & Philosophy
Cosmic Role: Sustainer and preserver of the universe; maintains cosmic order (Rta)
Represents Sattva guna (purity); the divine that pervades all existence; accessible through devotion (bhakti)
