DeityVaishnavism
Vishnu: Stories
विष्णुThe preserver and protector of the universe. Also called Narayana, Hari, Keshava, Madhava, Govinda, Achyuta, Janardana, Padmanabha.
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.
RoleThe preserver and protector of the universe
ConsortLakshmi
MountGaruda
SerpentShesha
WeaponsSudarshana Chakra, Kaumodaki, Sharanga, Nandaka
ObjectsPanchajanya, Padma (Lotus), Kaustubha
Stories and legends
StorySamudra Manthanसमुद्र मंथनSamudra Manthan is the great churning of the ocean of milk, in which the devas and asuras together churn the cosmic sea to obtain amrita, the nectar of…
StoryDhanteras: The Story and Meaning of the First Day of Diwaliधनतेरस: पहले दिन की कथा और महत्त्वDhanteras opens Diwali with the worship of health and wealth — honouring Dhanvantari, the divine physician who rose from the churning ocean with the nectar of immortality —…
StoryThe Churning of the Ocean and the Birth of Lakshmiसमुद्र मंथन और लक्ष्मी का प्राकट्यWhy is Lakshmi worshipped on Diwali? The answer lies in the Samudra Manthan — the churning of the ocean of milk — from which the goddess of fortune…Continue exploring
Open the explorerConnected to Vishnu
ConsortLakshmiलक्ष्मी
MountGarudaगरुड़
SerpentSheshaशेष
Avatars & formsKrishnaकृष्णStories & mythsSamudra Manthanसमुद्र मंथन
Aartis & mantrasOm Jai Jagdish Hareॐ जय जगदीश हरे
FestivalsDiwaliदीपावली
WeaponsSudarshana Chakraसुदर्शन चक्र
Appears inBhagavata Puranaभागवत पुराण
Places & templesTirupatiतिरुपति
ObjectsPanchajanyaपाञ्चजन्य
AbodeVaikunthaवैकुंठ