Hindu deity
Vishnu
the Preserver — sustainer of the cosmos
In short
Vishnu is the preserver within the Hindu trinity, who sustains the cosmic order (dharma) and descends across ages as avatars — including Rama and Krishna — to restore it whenever it declines. He is worshipped as Narayana, reclining on the cosmic ocean, and promises refuge to the devoted.
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Significance & stories
Vishnu's role is preservation: whenever dharma weakens and disorder rises, he takes form to set the balance right. The ten principal avatars (Dashavatara) — among them Rama, Krishna, and Vamana — are his descents for this purpose.
He is depicted as Narayana, resting on the serpent Shesha upon the ocean of milk, with Lakshmi at his side. His devotees turn to him for refuge and protection; the Gita's promise that he secures what they lack and preserves what they have is one of the most beloved in scripture.
A mantra to Vishnu
ॐ नमो नारायणाय
oṃ namo nārāyaṇāya
I bow to Narayana (Vishnu), the refuge and resting place of all beings.
See all Vishnu mantras with Devanagari, transliteration, meaning, and how to chant.
A verse
“ananyāś cintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate”
Bhagavad Gita 9.22 · Chapter 9, Raja-Vidya-Raja-Guhya YogaTo those who think of Me with undivided heart, I carry what they lack and preserve what they have.
Spoken by Krishna to the warrior Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra — the Gita sits within the Mahabharata's Bhishma Parva — as Arjuna, overcome with grief and unwilling to fight his own kin, laid down his bow before the war.
Festivals of Vishnu
Temples of Vishnu
Questions about Vishnu
Other deities
About Vishnu
Who is Vishnu?
Vishnu is the preserver of the Hindu trinity, who sustains cosmic order and descends as avatars — including Rama and Krishna — to restore dharma when it declines.
What are Vishnu's avatars?
His ten principal avatars (Dashavatara) include Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki.
Bring your heart to Vishnu
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