Vishnu: greatest god of the Hindu truimvirate (three gods responsible for creation, upkeep, and destruction of the world)

preserver and protector of the universe. will return to the earth during hard times to restore the balance of good and evil.

incarnated 9 times, believed to be reincarnated once more.

looks like:

human with blue skin and four arms holding items

conch: "Om" sound that represents the sound of creation

chakra or discus: symbolizes the mind

lotus flower: example of glorious existence and liberation

mace: represents mental and physical strength

two positions:

standing upright on a lotus flower with Lakshmi (consort) near.

reclining on coils of a serpent with Lakshmi (consort) massaging his feet and surrounded by the Milky Ocean

  1. Matsya (fish): similar to Noah
  1. Kurma (turtle): churning of the ocean
  1. Varaha (pig/boar): Vishnu recovered stolen Vedas
  1. Narasimha (half lion, half man): vanquished a demon with immunity
  1. Vamana (dwarf sage with ability to grow): grew so large that one step covered the earth and the second the heavens
  1. Parasurama (fierce man/hunter): rids earth of irreligious and sinful monarchs
  1. Rama (greatest warrior/ideal man): kills demon King Ravana, who abducted wife Sita
  1. Krishna (mentally advanced man): hero of the Mahabharata, epic poem. Delivered a famous message, known as Baghavad Gita.
  1. Buddha (the all knowing one): appeared in 5th century BCE.
  1. Kalki: expected towards end of present age decline. as a person sitting on a white horse.