Vishnu

• Vishnu is seen as the preserver and sustainer of the universe by many Hindus
• Vishnu is mainly worshipped through his incarnations or avatars
• Vishnu's avatars are the ten animal or human forms in which he appeared on earth
• Vaishnavism is a particular tradition within Hinduism which focuses on the worship of Vishnu
• Hindus believe Vishnu represents the soul of the entire universe
• Hindus believe that Vishnu has the power to prevent suffering and restore moral order
• Vishnu's consort is Lakshmi the goddess of wealth and prosperity
• Vishnu is worshipped through avatars like Rama and Krishna
• Hindus believe Vishnu gave birth to Brahma , who completed the detailed creation of the different worlds
• Hindus believe Vishnu enters the heart of every living being to become the Lord within (antaryami)
• Followers of Vishnu are called Vaishnavas
• Vaishnavas aim to serve Vishnu or one of his avatars in the spiritual realm of vaikuntha
• The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON or Hare Krishna Society) are Vaishnavas
• Vaishnava worship is based on the Upanishads , the Vedas , the Puranas and the Bhagavad Gita
• Vaishnava worship concentrates on the concept of bhakti (personal devotion)
• Vaishnava worship consists of praying specific mantras (e.g. Hare Krishna) and the practice of repetitive prayer known as japa
• Bhakti is the concept of personal devotion
• Japa is repetitive prayer
• The stories of The three strides and Prahlada show that Vishnu was seen as a powerful god in ancient times , who was ready to help his followers