Vishnu
/ˈvɪʃ.nuː/noun
A major Hindu deity, traditionally regarded as the preserver of the universe and one member of the Trimurti.
Did you know?In the Rigveda, Vishnu is celebrated for taking three immense strides that encompass the terrestrial, atmospheric, and celestial realms.
Etymological Timeline
Second millennium BCE
Vedic Sanskrit
viṣṇu
“A deity associated with vastness and cosmic pervasion; the word’s ultimate derivation is uncertain”
c. 1500–500 BCE
Vedic Sanskrit
viṣṇuḥ
“Vishnu, a prominent but initially not supreme Vedic deity known for his three cosmic strides”
c. 500 BCE–500 CE
Classical Sanskrit
Viṣṇu
“The deity who becomes the central preserver god in later Hindu theology”
c. 300 BCE–300 CE
Sanskrit
vaiṣṇava
“Relating to Vishnu or devoted to Vishnu”
19th Century
English
Vishnu
“An English rendering of Sanskrit Viṣṇu, adopted through scholarship and translations of Hindu texts”
Modern English
English
Vishnu
“The Hindu preserver deity, commonly represented with four arms and associated with avatars such as Rama and Krishna”