Who is Vishnu? Why is he worshipped?

August 12 2025, 6 min reading time

An introduction to the one who sits on a snake throne, on a water bed, sheltered by snake heads and produces a lotus from naval for Lord Brahma, holds Sudarshan Chakra and incarnated as Lord Ram and Lord Krishna.

Who is Vishnu? Why is he worshipped?

Hinduism is one of the most ancient religions in the world and is practised by nearly a billion people in the world. In the vast and intricate tapestry of Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu stands as one of the most revered and worshipped deities. He is known as the Preserver and Protector of the universe and is part of the holy trinity known as Trimurti alongside Brahma, the creator, and Shiva, the destroyer. His major role is to maintain cosmic order (Dharma) and restore balance whenever evil threatens to overpower righteousness.

Vishnu’s worship spans thousands of years, with millions of devotees across the world offering prayers, performing rituals and seeking his blessings. But who exactly is Vishnu? Why is he so deeply venerated in Hinduism? To answer these questions first we need to understand the origin and nature of Lord Vishnu.

The Origin and Nature of Vishnu

Vishnu’s presence can be traced back to the earliest Hindu scriptures, the Vedas, where he is described as a solar deity associated with light and cosmic order. Over time, his role expanded, and he became a central figure in Puranic literature, particularly the Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana, where he is depicted as the supreme protector of the universe.

Unlike Brahma, who creates the world and Shiva, who dissolves it. Vishnu sustains life and ensures harmony. He is often portrayed with a serene expression, resting on the cosmic serpent Shesha (Ananta), floating on the ocean of milk (Kshira Sagara). Vishnu is the most important god of Vaishnavism, the largest Hindu sect. Vishnu’s prior status is Brahma and in some accounts is considered to have been born from a lotus flower which grew from Vishnu’s navel. Vishnu was married to Lakshmi (the goddess of good fortune), Saraswati (the goddess of wisdom) and Ganga (the goddess who is the personification of the River Ganges). However, unable to live with the quarrels between his three wives, Vishnu eventually sent Ganga to Shiva and Saraswati to Brahma.

He is considered to live in the city of Vaikuntha on Mt. Meru, where everything is made of shining gold and fabulous jewels and where there are lakes resplendent with lotus flowers. He is commonly depicted with four arms and each arm holds objects that signify his divine powers like:

The Conch (Shankha) represents the primordial sound of creation (Om).
The Discus (Sudarshana Chakra), a spinning weapon symbolizing the mind and destruction of evil.
The Lotus (Padma) denotes purity, beauty and spiritual liberation.
The Mace (Gada) signifies strength and the power to uphold righteousness.

He is often shown with his conconsort, Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity which reinforces the belief that devotion to Vishnu brings both material and spiritual abundance. In Hindu belief, Vishnu is not just a distant cosmic force rather he is deeply compassionate. Whenever the universe is in turmoil and evil threatens to overpower good, Vishnu descends to Earth in various forms which are known as avatars to restore dharma (cosmic order). Vishnu has ten avatars or worldly appearances, which are people, animals or a mix of both. Vishnu’s ten avatars are:

Buddha
Krishna (the hero)
Rama (the hero)
Parashurama (the hero)
Nara- Simha or Narasimba (the man- lion)
Vamana (the dwarf)
Matsya (the fish)
Kurma (the tortoise)
Varaha 9the boar)
Kalki (who will appear when the world ends, riding a white horse and heralding the start of a new golden age)

Like any major god Vishnu is involved in a number of colourful stories which illustrate his virtues as the protector of cosmic order. As Varaha, the gigantic boar, he defeated the giant Daitya after Hiranyaksha had mischievously taken the Earth (Bhoomi- devi) to the bottom of the sea. The incredible fight between the two lasted for a thousand years but Vishnu prevailed and finally raised the Earth from the watery depths, carrying it on his tusk.

Why is Vishnu worshipped?

Vishnu is worshipped for various reasons but primarily as the guardian of righteousness. Hisinterventions in the form of avatars assure devotees that no matter how powerful evil becomes, divine justice will prevail. Stories like Rama’s victory over Ravana and Krishna’s guidance in the mahabharata serve as moral compasses, inspiring people to uphold truth and virtue.

Further, in Vaishnavism, devotion to Vishnu is considered a path to liberation. The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes surrendering to him with love and faith, promising freedom from the cycle of birth and death. As by now we already know that Vishnu’s nature is benevolent. Unlike deities associated with destruction, Vishnu is approachable, forgiving and nurturing. His relationship with devotees, as seen in his interactions with Prahlada or Draupadi, highlights his readiness to protect those who seek refuge in him.

Since Vishnu is often accompanied by Lakshmi, worshipping him is believed to bring wealth and stability. Many observe fasts like Ekadashi or celebrate festivals like Diwali to invoke his blessings for prosperity. Therefore, Vishnu’s all encompassing nature makes him a unifying force in Hinduism. Whether as Rama, Krishna or Narayana, his forms cater to diverse spiritual needs, allowing people to connect with him in multiple ways.

At last but not the least Lord Vishnu embodies the timeless principles of preservation, justice, and compassion. His avatars serve as divine reminders that goodness will always triumph over evil when faith and righteousness are upheld. For millions, worshipping Vishnu is not just a religious practice but a way of life—a means to seek protection, prosperity, and ultimate liberation. In a world often plagued by chaos, Vishnu’s enduring presence offers hope, assuring humanity that divine grace is always within reach for those who walk the path of dharma.

This article is written by our content writer and blog designer, Nikita.

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Comments

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