🦚 Vishnu

Attributes & Domains

Mythology & Stories

Vishnu is the preserver deity of the Trimurti, responsible for maintaining cosmic balance and protecting dharma. He rests on the cosmic serpent Ananta (also called Shesha) in the primordial ocean, and from his navel grows the lotus from which Brahma creates the universe. Vishnu's most distinctive feature is his willingness to incarnate on earth in various forms (avatars) to combat evil and restore righteousness whenever it declines.

Key Myths:

• The Churning of the Cosmic Ocean: When the gods lost their immortality, Vishnu advised them to churn the ocean of milk to obtain amrita (nectar of immortality). Taking the form of a giant turtle (Kurma avatar), he supported Mount Mandara as the churning rod. During the churning, many treasures emerged including Lakshmi (who chose Vishnu as her consort), the deadly poison halahala (swallowed by Shiva), and finally the amrita.
• The Cosmic Sleep: Between each cycle of creation, Vishnu sleeps on the thousand-headed serpent Shesha, floating on the cosmic ocean. During this yoga-nidra (cosmic sleep), the universe is in potential form. When he awakens, a new cycle of creation begins with a lotus sprouting from his navel, upon which Brahma sits to create the world anew.
• The Three Strides of Vamana: When the demon king Bali conquered the three worlds, the gods appealed to Vishnu. He incarnated as Vamana, a dwarf brahmin, and asked Bali for just three paces of land. When Bali agreed, Vamana expanded to cosmic size and covered earth with one step, the heavens with another, and asked Bali where to place the third. Humbled, Bali offered his own head, and Vamana pushed him to the netherworld, restoring cosmic balance while honoring Bali's devotion.

The Dashavatara - Ten Primary Avatars

Vishnu's ten primary incarnations represent his intervention at critical moments in cosmic history. Interestingly, they also mirror evolutionary stages from aquatic to mammalian to human to divine forms.

Relationships

Family

• Parents: Son of Sage Kashyapa and Aditi (in some traditions); self-existent in others
• Consort: Lakshmi (Goddess of Prosperity and Fortune) - incarnates with him in various forms
• Children: Kamadeva (God of Love), and various children through his avatars
• Siblings: Part of Trimurti with Brahma and Shiva

Allies & Dynamics

• Allies: Brahma (Creator), Lakshmi (his eternal consort), Garuda (his vahana), Hanuman (devoted servant), All Devas
• Enemies: Asuras (demons) who threaten dharma - Ravana, Hiranyakashipu, Kamsa, and countless others
• Complex Relationship: Shiva - they are complementary forces, sometimes allies, occasionally in friendly competition

Worship & Rituals

Sacred Sites

Vishnu has numerous temples across India and Southeast Asia. Major sites include: Badrinath (Uttarakhand), Tirupati Balaji (Andhra Pradesh - world's most visited temple), Jagannath Temple (Puri, Odisha), Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam, Tamil Nadu), and Angkor Wat (Cambodia - world's largest religious monument, originally dedicated to Vishnu).

Festivals

• Vaikuntha Ekadashi: The day when the gates to Vaikuntha (Vishnu's abode) are believed to be open. Devotees fast and keep vigil.
• Rama Navami: Birthday of Lord Rama (9th day of Chaitra month, March-April).
• Krishna Janmashtami: Birthday of Lord Krishna (8th day of Bhadrapada, August-September), celebrated with fasting, singing, and reenacting Krishna's childhood.
• Diwali: Celebrates Rama's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.

Offerings

Tulsi leaves (most sacred to Vishnu), yellow flowers, butter, milk, honey, fruits (especially bananas), betel leaves, panchamrita (mixture of milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, sugar). Devotional songs, recitation of Vishnu Sahasranama (1000 names), reading of Bhagavad Gita or Vishnu Purana.

Prayers & Invocations

The most common mantra is "Om Namo Narayanaya" (salutations to the divine spirit). The Vishnu Sahasranama (thousand names of Vishnu) is chanted for blessings and protection. For specific avatars: "Om Ram Ramaya Namaha" for Rama, "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" for Krishna. Vishnu is associated with the Ekadashi (11th day after new/full moon) - devotees fast on these days.

Primary Sources