Who is Lord Vishnu?

One of the main gods of Hinduism, Lord Vishnu is regarded as the preserver and guardian of the universe within the Hindu trinity (Trimurti), along with Shiva (the killer) and Brahma (the creator). It is Vishnu's responsibility to uphold and regulate the cosmos, guaranteeing the preservation of cosmic order (Dharma) and the harmony of good and evil. 

Attributes and Symbols:

Look: Vishnu usually appears as having blue skin, four arms, each of which holds a different symbolic object, and a calm, kind behaviour.

Conch (Shankha): Shows the sharing of divine truth and the sacred sound "Om".

Discus (Chakra): Stands for the intellect and the destruction of evil.

Mace (Gada): Denotes power and defence.

Lotus (Padma): Denotes spiritual freedom and purity.

Consort:

Lakshmi: The goddess of prosperity, wealth, and good fortune; consort of Vishnu. When combined, they embody the perfect example of a peaceful partnership.

Avatars:

Traditionally, Vishnu takes ten avatars (Dashavatara) in order to bring back cosmic order. Among them are the well-known incarnations of Rama, Krishna, and Kalki, the future avatar.

Worship and Festivals:

Vishnu is worshipped in various forms across India and beyond, with temples dedicated to him and his avatars. Important festivals associated with Vishnu include Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Krishna Janmashtami (Krishna's birth), and Rama Navami (Rama's birth).

Read Also: Dwapara Yuga: Were People of this Yuga aware of Kalyuga

4 Yuga Avatars of Lord Vishnu

Hinduism is that all over the four Yugas, or ages of time, Lord Vishnu takes on different forms known as avatars in order to restore cosmic order, or Dharma. These four periods of time are known as the Satya, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali ages. 

The Well-Known Lord Vishnu Avatars Connected to Each Yuga are as Follows:

Satya Yuga (Krita Yuga):

Matsya Avatar (Fish): The first avatar of Vishnu, who prevented a massive flood from destroying the holy Vedas and the wise Manu.

Kurma Avatar (Tortoise): Samudra Manthan, Vishnu's second avatar, carried Mount Mandara on his back while the ocean was shaking.

Varaha Avatar (Boar): The Earth (personified as the goddess Bhudevi) was saved from the demon Hiranyaksha by Vishnu's third avatar.

Narasimha Avatar (Half-Man, Half-Lion): The fourth avatar of Vishnu, who defeated the demon Hiranyakashipu to safeguard his devotee Prahlada.

Treta Yuga:

Vamana (Dwarf): The demon king Bali was subdued by Vishnu's fifth avatar, which covered the universe in three huge steps.

Parashurama (Warrior with an Axe): The sixth avatar of Vishnu appeared to abuse corrosive and oppressive rulers from the world and restore the Kshatriya order.

Ram: The main character of the Ramayana and Vishnu's seventh avatar, who symbolised because and the ideal the king. He killed Ravana, the demon king.

Dvapara Yuga:

Krishna: The main character of the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita, and Vishnu's eighth avatar. Apart from teaching the values of Dharma and Bhakti (devotion), he was an important player in the Kurukshetra War.

Kali Yuga: 

 Kalki: The tenth avatar predicted by Vishnu, who has not yet come about. By defeating the forces of evil and awakening a new Satya Yuga, Kalki is supposed to bring an end to the Kali Yuga and restore Dharma.