Vishnu

[ vish-noo ]

/ ˈvɪʃ nu /

noun Hinduism.

(in later Hinduism) “the Preserver,” the second member of the Trimurti, along with Brahma the Creator and Shiva the Destroyer.

(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.

“the Pervader,” one of a half-dozen solar deities in the Rig-Veda, daily traversing the sky in three strides, morning, afternoon, and night.

Origin of Vishnu

From the Sanskrit word viṣṇu

Related forms

Vish·nu·ism, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for vishnu

I noticed that my three main characters, Sarita, Karun and Jaz, formed a trinity just like Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi.
A Mathematically Impossible Novel: Manil Suri Explains “The City of Devi”|Manil Suri|March 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Vaishnav—worshipper of Vishnu, the preserver, one incarnation of whom is Krishna.
Chaitanya's Life And Teachings|Krishna das Kaviraja
So far as 'blue' and 'mauve' are concerned, 'blue' is the colour of Vishnu and characterizes most of his incarnations.
The Loves of Krishna in Indian Painting and Poetry|W. G. Archer
For this purpose Vishnu is made successively to assume the form of a fish, a tortoise, and a boar.
Principles of Geology|Charles Lyell

Many of the Gods are held to be incarnations of Vishnu or Siva.
The World's Greatest Books, Vol XII.|Arthur Mee
When he had spoken thus, Jatayus died in Rama's arms, and his soul ascended to the heaven of Vishnu in a chariot of fire.
Indian Myth and Legend|Donald Alexander Mackenzie

British Dictionary definitions for vishnu

Vishnu

/ (ˈvɪʃnuː) /

noun

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

Derived Forms

Vishnuism, noun

Word Origin for Vishnu

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Culture definitions for vishnu

Vishnu

[ (vish-nooh) ]

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