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| It is believed that he manifested himself as a human being in ten Avatars. His avatars are said to be | It is believed that he manifested himself as a human being in ten Avatars. His avatars are said to be | ||
| # ], the Fish | |||
| # ], the Tortoise | |||
| # ], the Boar | |||
| # ], the Man-Lion (Nara = man, simha = lion) | |||
| # ], the Dwarf | |||
| # ] | |||
| # ] | |||
| # ] (meaning dark or black) | |||
| # Siddharta Gautama, the ] (some versions have it that ] is the ninth avatar instead) | |||
| * Kalki, who is yet to be manifested: an apocalyptic figure | #* Kalki, who is yet to be manifested: an apocalyptic figure | ||
| Vishnu is the chief god of ]. | Vishnu is the chief god of ]. | ||
Revision as of 06:52, 5 October 2002
Vishnu (also called Hari) is a Hindu god. He is the second god of the Trimurthi (also called the Hindu Trinity), along with Brahma and Shiva. The triumvirate signify the cycle of life: Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the protector, and Shiva is the destroyer. He is a life-death-rebirth deity.
Vishnu's consort is Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. His mount is Garuda, the eagle.
He is often depicted as sitting or resting on a lotus.
It is believed that he manifested himself as a human being in ten Avatars. His avatars are said to be
- Matsya, the Fish
- Kurma, the Tortoise
- Varaha, the Boar
- Narasimha, the Man-Lion (Nara = man, simha = lion)
- Vamana, the Dwarf
- Parashurama
- Rama
- Krishna (meaning dark or black)
- Siddharta Gautama, the Buddha (some versions have it that Balarama is the ninth avatar instead)
- Kalki, who is yet to be manifested: an apocalyptic figure
Vishnu is the chief god of Vaishnavism.