Vishnu

[ vish-noo ]

noun

, Hinduism.

1. (in later Hinduism) “the Preserver,” the second member of the Trimurti, along with Brahma the Creator and Shiva the Destroyer.
2. (in popular Hinduism) a deity believed to have descended from heaven to earth in several incarnations, or avatars, varying in number from nine to twenty-two, but always including animals. His most important human incarnation is the Krishna of the Bhagavad-Gita.
3. “the Pervader,” one of a half-dozen solar deities in the Rig-Veda, daily traversing the sky in three strides, morning, afternoon, and night.

Vishnu

/ ˈvɪʃnuː /

noun

1. Hinduism the Pervader or Sustainer: originally a solar deity occupying a secondary place in the Hindu pantheon; later one of the three chief gods, the second member of the Trimurti; and, later still, the saviour appearing in many incarnations

Vishnu

1. A deity of Hinduism , known as the Preserver. According to the Hindus, he has appeared as Krishna and as the Buddha .

Derived Forms

• ˈVishnuˌism, noun

Other Words From

• Vishnu·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Vishnu¹

From the Sanskrit word viṣṇu

Word History and Origins

Origin of Vishnu¹

C17: from Sanskrit Viṣṇu, literally: the one who works everywhere

Example Sentences

I noticed that my three main characters, Sarita, Karun and Jaz, formed a trinity just like Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi.

From The Daily Beast

It came out of the sacred river; indeed, it might, perhaps, be the incarnation of the god Vishnu himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Brahma was the prince of the angelic army; Vishnu and Siva were His coadjutors.

From Project Gutenberg

Siva and Vishnu became worshipped, as well as Brahma and a host of other gods unknown to the earlier Vedas.

From Project Gutenberg

When Vishnu saved the enrapturing Soma, the Maruts sat down like birds on their beloved altar.

From Project Gutenberg

She say Vishnu lay curse on us, dead men come out of graves, be wolves, be tigers—menjelma kramat—follow us everywhere!

From Project Gutenberg