Angkor Wat, Cambodia, statue of Vishnu, east entrance
Vishnu is regarded as a major god in Hinduism and Indian mythology. He is regarded as the preserver of the universe while two other major Hindu gods Brahma and Shiva, are regarded respectively, as the creator and destroyer of the universe. The original worship of Vishnu, by the Aryan conquerors of India or the original Dravidian inhabitants is not definitely known. In the ancient Vedas, the body of literature known as the Veda, and sacred literature of the Aryan conquerors, Vishnu is ranked among the lesser gods and is usually associated with the major Vedic god Indra who in the epics and Puranas fights against dragons and demonic forces. These latter writings emerge during the later development of Hinduism. It is throughout this literature and especially through incarnations that Vishnu is raised to higher rankings within the Hindu pantheon. He becomes the prominent second god of the Trimurti, the Hindu Triad, while Brahma is first and Shiva is third.
Size: 2480px × 4449px
Photo credit: © Scenics & Science / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: angkor, arms, base, brahma, buddhist, cambodia, carving, east, entrance, hindu, khmer, laterite, mortise, relief, statue, stone, suryavarman, tenon, vishnu, wat
