Vishnu is second of the 3 principle deities called Trimurti- literally 3 deities, representing creation, sustenance and destruction of the universe. These 3 deities have been called as the Hindu Triad or the Great Trinity.

Lord Vishnu is known as the destroyer of evil in order to create and restore cosmic balance. In doing so, he is the protector of the universe. His role is to return to the earth in troubled times and restore the balance of good and evil. So far, he has been incarnated nine times, but Hindus believe that he will be reincarnated one last time close to the end of this world. Being the protector of the worlds, Lord Vishnu is the most merciful lord who blesses his devotees with peace, prosperity and auspiciousness.

He is known by over 1000 names and is believed to have adopted many avatars (incarnations) to prevail the dharma and right balance in the world. The 10 main avatars include Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narsimha, Vamana, Parashuram, Rama, Krishna, Budhdha and Kalki.

The word ‘Vishnu’ means all pervasive, present in and as everything. Vishnu is described to be permeating all object and life forms, where he is “ever present within all things as the intrinsic principle of all”, and the eternal, transcendental self in every being. He is depicted as having dark coloured skin and he is usually represented in two positions; standing (upright on a lotus flower with Lakshmi, his consort, close by him) or reclining on the coils of a serpent holding a conch shell, a chakra, a lotus flower and a gada (club). He is surrounded by the milky ocean.

The objects symbolise many more meanings than some that are presented here:

• The conch: the sound this produces ‘Om’, represents the primeval sound of creation.
• The chakra, or discus: symbolises the mind.
• The lotus flower: an example of glorious existence and liberation.
• The mace/gada or club: represents mental and physical strength.

The lord Vishnu rides on the king of birds, Garuda, which is an eagle. He is celebrated as a deity in Vedic literature alongside Indra, Agni and others. His consort, Laxmi is the goddess of fortune and wealth.

His worshippers are usually called as Vaishnava, who consider him the greatest god. He is most often worshipped in the form of Krishna and Ram who are also the subjects of epic stories – Mahabharata & Ramayana respectively.