Vishnu
Vishnu is one of the three main gods in Hinduism. Vaishnavas believe that Vishnu is the highest God. Vishnu is the preserver god, which means he protects the earth from being destroyed and keeps it going, according to this religion, and he has come to earth in nine forms (called avatars) so far, with one yet to come. His most famous forms are Rama and Krishna. Vishnu's wife is Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of fortune.
Vishnu is usually shown with light blue skin and four arms. He holds a lotus, mace (gada), conch (shankha) and disc (chakra) in each of four hands.
[change] Avatars
There are ten avatars of Vishnu (in the order they appeared):
- Matsya (Fish)
- Kurma (Turtle)
- Varaha (Boar)
- Narasimha (half Lion, half Man)
- Vamana (Pygmy / Dwarf / Short man)
- Parashurama (Fierce man / Hunter)
- Rama (Developed man / Ideal man / Fighter)
- Krishna (Cowherd Prince)
- Different branches of Hindu tradition accept two different figures as the 9th avatar of Vishnu:
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[change] Icons
Vishnu holds items in his four hands. He holds a conch in the lower right hand, a discus in the upper right hand, a lotus (flower) in the upper left hand and a mace in the lower left hand.
