Vishnu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vishnu
God of Protection, Preservation of Good, Dharma restoration, Moksha
Affiliation	Supreme Being (Vaishnavism), Hari, Jagganath, Vithoba, Trimurti, Deva, Krishna
Mantra	Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Om Namo Narayana

Vishnu icons across cultures

This 180 BCE Indo-Greek coin shows Agathocles. A seal from Gandhara, 4th–6th century CE. Vishnu from Cambodia, 13th century. A statue from India. Vishnu in Myanmar. Vishnu in Indonesia. Vishnu's images have been found in many places throughout history.

Vishnu is one of the three main gods in Hinduism. He is known as the "Preserver" god. This means he helps protect the earth and keep things balanced. Many Hindus, especially those who follow Vaishnavism, believe Vishnu is the highest God.

Vishnu has appeared on Earth in different forms called avatars. So far, he has come nine times, with one more visit expected in the future. His most famous forms are Rama and Krishna. Vishnu's wife is Lakshmi, who is the Hindu goddess of good fortune.

Vishnu is often shown with light blue skin and four arms. In his hands, he holds special items: a lotus flower, a mace (like a club), a conch shell, and a spinning disc called a chakra.

What Are Vishnu's Avatars?

Vishnu's avatars are his different forms that he takes to help the world. There are ten main avatars, appearing in this order:

• Matsya (the Fish)
• Kurma (the Turtle)
• Varaha (the Boar)
• Narasimha (half Lion, half Man)
• Vamana (the Short Man or Dwarf)
• Parashurama (the Fierce Man with an axe)
• Rama (the Ideal Man and Fighter)
• Krishna (the Cowherd Prince)
• The ninth avatar is seen differently by some Hindu groups:

• Balarama (a physically strong man)
• Buddha (a wise and intellectual man)

• Kalki (a future avatar who has not appeared yet)

What Does Vishnu Hold?

Vishnu is usually shown with four arms, each holding a special item. These items have important meanings:

• He holds a conch shell in his lower right hand.
• A spinning disc (chakra) is in his upper right hand.
• A beautiful lotus flower is in his upper left hand.
• A mace (gada) is in his lower left hand.

Vishnu and his avatars

Images for kids

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  The Bhagavata Purana tells stories about Krishna, a Vishnu avatar.

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  The Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia was built to honor Vishnu.

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  Vishnu with Lakshmi (Laxminarayan) at Halebidu.

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  Ten avatars of Vishnu (Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Vamana, Krishna, Kalki, Buddha, Parshurama, Rama, and Narasimha). This painting is from Jaipur.

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  The Uthpalawarna Vishnu Devalaya in Devinuwara, Matara, Sri Lanka.

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  A statue in Bangkok showing Vishnu riding his mount, Garuda, the eagle.

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  The front view of Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

See also

In Spanish: Vishnu para niños