Lord Vishnu is one of the three principal deities (Trimurti) of Hinduism, responsible for the preservation and protection of the universe. Vaishnavism is a major sect in Hinduism that primarily worships Vishnu and his avatars like Rama and Krishna.
Lord Vishnu – The Preserver of the Universe
Basic Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Role in Trimurti | Preserver and Protector of the Universe |
| Consort | Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity) |
| Mount (Vahana) | Garuda (Divine Eagle) |
| Primary Weapons | Sudarshana Chakra (Disc), Gada (Mace), Shankha (Conch), Padma (Lotus) |
| Sacred Texts | Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana |
| Major Temples | Tirupati Balaji, Badrinath, Jagannath Puri, Ranganathaswamy |
Iconography of Lord Vishnu
- Four arms holding:
- Sudarshana Chakra (Disc) – Represents universal law and destruction of evil.
- Gada (Mace) – Symbolizes power and protection.
- Shankha (Conch) – Represents divine sound (Om) and creation.
- Padma (Lotus) – Symbolizes purity and enlightenment.
- Garuda (Eagle) as his vahana – Represents speed and divine power.
Dashavatara – The 10 Avatars of Vishnu
Lord Vishnu is believed to incarnate whenever dharma (righteousness) declines. These ten avatars (Dashavatara) appear in different ages (Yugas) to protect the universe.
| Avatar | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Matsya (Fish) | Saved Vedas and humanity from a great flood. |
| Kurma (Tortoise) | Helped in the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan). |
| Varaha (Boar) | Rescued Earth (Bhudevi) from the demon Hiranyaksha. |
| Narasimha (Half-Man, Half-Lion) | Destroyed Hiranyakashipu to protect Prahlada. |
| Vamana (Dwarf Brahmin) | Stopped demon king Bali from ruling the universe. |
| Parashurama (Axe-Wielding Warrior) | Destroyed corrupt Kshatriya rulers. |
| Rama (King of Ayodhya) | Killed Ravana and restored righteousness. |
| Krishna (Cowherd & King of Dwarka) | Delivered the Bhagavad Gita and guided Arjuna. |
| Buddha (The Enlightened One) | Some traditions believe Vishnu incarnated as Buddha to teach non-violence. |
| Kalki (Future Warrior) | Yet to come; will end the Kali Yuga and restore righteousness. |
Vaishnavism – The Worship of Vishnu
Vaishnavism is one of the largest traditions within Hinduism, dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu and his avatars. It emphasizes Bhakti (devotion), dharma (righteousness), and moksha (liberation).
Key Features of Vaishnavism
- Supremacy of Vishnu
- Vishnu is considered the supreme god (Para Brahman).
- Bhakti (Devotion) as the Path to Liberation
- Followers believe that devotion (Bhakti) is the highest form of worship.
- Reverence of Avatars
- Krishna and Rama are the most widely worshiped avatars.
- Sacred Texts
- Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana, and Ramayana.
- Major Sects of Vaishnavism
- Sri Vaishnavism (Ramanuja) – Worship of Vishnu with Lakshmi.
- Gaudiya Vaishnavism (Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) – Focus on Krishna Bhakti.
- Nimbarka Sampradaya – Dualist philosophy of Krishna and Radha.
- Pushtimarg (Vallabhacharya) – Emphasizes Krishna’s child form (Baal Gopal).
Important Vaishnavite Saints and Philosophers
1. Ramanuja (1017–1137 CE)
- Founder of Sri Vaishnavism.
- Advocated Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Non-Dualism) – Vishnu is supreme, but souls are distinct.
2. Madhvacharya (1238–1317 CE)
- Founder of Dvaita (Dualism) philosophy.
- Believed Vishnu and the soul are eternally separate.
3. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486–1534 CE)
- Spread Krishna Bhakti in Bengal and North India.
- Founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism (Hare Krishna movement).
4. Nammalvar (9th Century)
- One of the most revered Tamil Alvars (Vaishnavite Saints).
- His hymns are part of Divya Prabandham (Tamil Veda).
Major Vishnu Temples in India
- Tirupati Balaji Temple (Andhra Pradesh) – Richest Hindu temple.
- Badrinath Temple (Uttarakhand) – Part of the Char Dham pilgrimage.
- Jagannath Temple (Odisha) – Famous for the Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival).
- Ranganathaswamy Temple (Tamil Nadu) – Largest Vishnu temple in India.
- Dwarkadhish Temple (Gujarat) – Dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Comparison: Vaishnavism vs Shaivism
| Feature | Vaishnavism (Vishnu Worship) | Shaivism (Shiva Worship) |
|---|---|---|
| Supreme God | Vishnu | Shiva |
| Sacred Texts | Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavata Purana | Shiva Purana, Linga Purana |
| Key Avatars | Rama, Krishna | None (Shiva is eternal) |
| Philosophy | Bhakti & Dharma | Meditation & Detachment |
| Sacred Symbols | Shankha, Chakra | Trishul, Rudraksha |
| Major Temples | Tirupati, Badrinath, Ranganathaswamy | Kashi Vishwanath, Kedarnath, Brihadeeswara |
Key Facts for Quick Revision
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Role of Vishnu | Preserver and Protector of the Universe |
| Primary Worship Tradition | Vaishnavism |
| Primary Scriptures | Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Purana, Ramayana |
| Most Worshipped Avatars | Krishna and Rama |
| Sacred Symbol | Sudarshana Chakra (Disc) |
| Famous Vaishnavite Philosopher | Ramanuja (Vishishtadvaita) |
MCQs on Lord Vishnu and Vaishnavism
1. What is the role of Lord Vishnu in the Trimurti?
A) Creator
B) Preserver
C) Destroyer
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Preserver
2. Which text contains the teachings of Krishna to Arjuna?
A) Ramayana
B) Upanishads
C) Bhagavad Gita
D) Rig Veda
Answer: C) Bhagavad Gita
3. Who is considered the founder of Sri Vaishnavism?
A) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
B) Ramanuja
C) Madhvacharya
D) Nammalvar
Answer: B) Ramanuja
4. Which Vaishnavite saint composed the Divya Prabandham?
A) Kabir
B) Tulsidas
C) Nammalvar
D) Basavanna
Answer: C) Nammalvar
5. Which temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Uttarakhand?
A) Kedarnath
B) Badrinath
C) Somnath
D) Kashi Vishwanath
Answer: B) Badrinath
Subjective Questions for Further Revision
- Explain the Dashavatara of Vishnu and their significance.
- Discuss the importance of Bhakti in Vaishnavism.
- Compare Vaishnavism and Shaivism in Hinduism.
- Describe the contributions of Ramanuja to Vaishnavism.
- How does the Bhagavad Gita guide human life?
These notes are essential for UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, NDA, CDS, and other competitive exams covering Hinduism, Indian Culture, and Religious History. Revise thoroughly and practice the MCQs and subjective questions to strengthen your preparation! 🚀