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| '''Vishnu''' is a ] god. He is the second god of the ] (also called the Hindu Trinity), along with ] and ]. The triumvirate signify the cycle of life: Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the protector, and Shiva is the destroyer. | '''Vishnu''' (also called '''Hari''') is a ] god. He is the second god of the ] (also called the Hindu Trinity), along with ] and ]. The triumvirate signify the cycle of life: Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the protector, and Shiva is the destroyer. | ||
| Vishnu's consort is ], the Goddess of wealth. His mount is ], the eagle. | Vishnu's consort is ], the Goddess of wealth. His mount is ], the eagle. | ||
Revision as of 23:05, 10 March 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.
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.