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ENहिं
Vishnu
DeityVaishnavism

Vishnu: FAQ & Sources

विष्णु

The preserver and protector of the universe. Also called Narayana, Hari, Keshava, Madhava, Govinda, Achyuta, Janardana, Padmanabha.

Om Jai Jagdish Hare

Vishnu is the preserver of the universe and, with Brahma and Shiva, one of the Trimurti. He rests on the serpent Shesha with Lakshmi beside him, rides Garuda, and descends as avatars such as Rama and Krishna whenever dharma declines. Vaishnavas worship him as the Supreme Being.

Updated 23 Oct 20268 sources

RoleThe preserver and protector of the universe
ConsortLakshmi
MountGaruda
SerpentShesha
WeaponsSudarshana Chakra, Kaumodaki, Sharanga, Nandaka
ObjectsPanchajanya, Padma (Lotus), Kaustubha

Frequently asked questions

Who is Vishnu?
Vishnu is the preserver of the universe in Hinduism and one of the Trimurti with Brahma and Shiva. Vaishnavas worship him as the Supreme Being, and he descends as avatars such as Rama and Krishna to restore dharma.
Who is Vishnu's wife?
Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and grace. She appears with him in each avatar, as Sita with Rama, Rukmini with Krishna and Padmavati with Venkateswara.
What is the name of Vishnu's snake?
Shesha, also called Adishesha or Ananta, the thousand-hooded serpent on whose coils Vishnu rests in the ocean of milk.
What is Vishnu's vehicle?
Garuda, the king of birds, who carries Vishnu and appears on his banner.
How many avatars does Vishnu have?
Ten principal avatars, the Dashavatara: Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha (or Balarama) and Kalki. The Bhagavata Purana lists twenty-two.
What are the weapons of Vishnu?
The discus Sudarshana Chakra, the mace Kaumodaki, the bow Sharanga and the sword Nandaka, with the conch Panchajanya and the lotus.
Where does Vishnu live?
In Vaikuntha, his eternal abode, and in the ocean of milk, Kshira Sagara, where he rests on Shesha.
Why is Vishnu blue?
Tradition explains his dark blue colour as the colour of the infinite sky and the deep ocean, both of which are boundless like him.
Which day is dedicated to Vishnu?
Thursday, and the Ekadashi fast on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight.
What is the mantra of Vishnu?
Om Namo Narayanaya, the eight-syllable mantra, and Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, the twelve-syllable mantra. The Vishnu Sahasranama recites his thousand names.
Is Krishna the same as Vishnu?
Krishna is the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Gaudiya Vaishnavas and some other traditions go further and see Krishna as the original form from which Vishnu himself comes.

Sources

  1. Rigveda 1.22, 1.154, 7.99
  2. Shatapatha Brahmana; Taittiriya Aranyaka 10 (Narayana Sukta)
  3. Vishnu Purana, Book 1 (esp. ch. 22)
  4. Bhagavata Purana, Books 1 (ch. 3), 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10
  5. Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva (Vishnu Sahasranama); Santi Parva
  6. Bhagavad Gita 4.7-8
  7. Garuda Purana; Agni Purana and Padma Purana (24 forms)
  8. Ludo Rocher, The Puranas (1986); Wikipedia, "Vishnu" (accessed Oct 2026)

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ConsortLakshmiलक्ष्मीMountGarudaगरुड़SerpentSheshaशेषAvatars & formsKrishnaकृष्णStories & mythsSamudra Manthanसमुद्र मंथनAartis & mantrasOm Jai Jagdish Hareॐ जय जगदीश हरेFestivalsDiwaliदीपावलीWeaponsSudarshana Chakraसुदर्शन चक्रAppears inBhagavata Puranaभागवत पुराणPlaces & templesTirupatiतिरुपतिObjectsPanchajanyaपाञ्चजन्यAbodeVaikunthaवैकुंठ