The Preserver

VISHNU - THE INFINITE OCEAN

All the above incarnations are only the earthly manifestation of Vishnu, who himself is eternal, unchangeable and immutable. He is blue-skinned and in all pictures and images and he is seen in rich ornaments and regal garments. His wife is Lakshmi or Sri, the goddess of wealth and fortune. His place of abode is VAIKUNTHA (heaven) and his vehicle is Garuda, a giant -sized eagle, which often is shown as a winged human-shaped figure having a beak-like nose

. Vishnu is the infinite ocean from which the world emerges. Hence his symbol is water (Nara) and he himself is called 'NARAYANA ' - the one who dwells upon the waters. He is pictured with the many-headed snake, as mentioned above, and this denotes ANANT NAG (the timeless or ageless snake). From his navel grows the lotus out of which appears Brahma, the god who created the universe.

Such is the Supreme God Vishnu, the all-pervading divinity, who descends as an Avatar (incarnation) to establish the rule of law and order of justice in each important age of the world's history.

VISHNU - VISHWAROOP IMAGE GALLERY