Vishnu
From Association of Independent Readers and Rootworkers
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Vishnu, also known as Visnu, is one of the great gods of Hinduism, where he is revered as the preserver and creator deity. He reigns as one part of the Hindu trimurti (the three forms of supreme godhead), along with his counterparts Brahma and Shiva. Vishnu is the preserver who upholds all of creation. He is the embodiment of mercy, goodness, love and self-sufficiency. He is married to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, although there are also Hindu traditions in which he is married to other wives. To followers of the Vaishava or Vaisnavite tradition of Hinduism, he is the creator of the Earth, the heavens, and the air. He is an unusual deva in that he has incarnated on Earth in numerous forms, known as avatars. A Hindu sacred text called the Bhagavad Gita describes ten avatars of Visnhu: the Fish, the Tortoise, the Boar, Nara-Simbha, Vamana, Parashur Rama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki. According to this Hindu tradition there are still avatars to come when humanity needs salvation most. Of these avatars of Vishnu, Rama and Krishna are the most popular, and are themselves venerated as gods.
Vishnu is depicted as a four-armed man with skin of a pale blue hue. In his arms he holds a mace, a sun-disk, a conch shell, and a lotus. Upon his brow he wears a crown symbolizing his divine authority and upon his breast he wears a solar gem. This solar gem, along with his pale blue skin, mark Vishnu as a sky-god. He rides either in an eight-wheeled chariot, or upon his spiritual vehicle, a half-man, half-bird mount named Garuda. Despite this iconography, Vishnu is also described as being completely without form as he represents the ultimate reality that is omnipresent and all-pervading.
Within the Hindu religious tradition, Vishnu's nature is strongly tied to rites of fertility, health, family, and redemption. Symbols associated with Vishnu include a knot that represents life without beginning or end, the lotus, the lion, and the fig tree. Altars to Vishnu carry his images and are decorated in soft blues and gold colors. His aid is invoked to help with success and wisdom. He can help turn the tide of any situation while assisting the spiritual growth of his devotees. Vishnu is often called upon for healing and restoration, and for true love. His role as protector and preserver makes him an excellent guardian, like Kali, but without her vengeful, blood-thirsty nature. As supreme among the devas of Vaishnavite Hinduism, Vishnu is also petitioned for intercession with the other gods and goddesses.
Hoodoo psychic readers, spirit workers, and root doctors who petition the Hindu gods and goddesses on behalf of clients may work with Vishnu when there are pending issues concerning, protection and victory, safe travel, and matters of success, mastery, and wisdom.
Credits
This page is brought to you by the AIRR Tech Team:
- Authors: Miss Bri, ConjureMan
- Contributors: catherine yronwode, nagasiva yronwode
- Image: Unknown Artist, scanned and photo-edited by nagasiva yronwode
