Vishnu (IAST viṣṇu, Devanagari विष्णु, with honorific Shri Vishnu; śrī viṣṇu, श्री विष्णु ), is a form of God, in Hinduism. For Vaishnavas, he is the Ultimate Reality or God, as is Shiva for Shaivites. In Trimurti concept (sometimes called the Hindu Trinity), he is the second aspect of God (the others being Brahma and Shiva).

Known as the Preserver, he is most famously identified with his avatars, or incarnations, especially Krishna and Rama. He is also frequently referred to as Narayana. Some Nepalese Hindus believe that their reigning monarch, currently King Gyanendra, is a living reincarnation of Vishnu, though this recognition has recently been abolished.

For the followers of Vaishnavism, known as Vaishnavas, he is the Ultimate Reality and not just one form of God. Smartas, who follow Advaita philosophy, believe that deities such as Vishnu or Shiva are various forms of one ultimate higher power ("Brahman"), which has no specific form, name, face or features. Ayyavazhi out puts almost a same vision on Vishnu as Smatism.

Vaishnavism however believes that God can transcend all personal characteristics yet can also have personal characteristics for the grace of the human devotee. Personal characteristics are considered an aid for the devotee to focus on God. It also believes that it is not necessarily wrong to view a form of God as long as it is recognized that God is not limited to a particular form. Nonetheless, there are many Vaishnava sects, most notably Vadakalai Iyengars, who believe that Vishnu's actual form is not beyond human comprehension, and that his form is exactly as shown in pictures and idols.

Vishnu

Lord Shiva

OM JAI SHIVA OMKAARAA, PRABHU JAI SHIVA OMKAARAA

BRAHMAA VISHNU SADAASHIVAA, ARDDHAANGII DHAARAA

OM HARA HARA MAHAADEVAA...

Glory to you, O Shiva! Glory to you, O Omkaara! May Brahma, Vishnu and the assembly of other gods, including the great Lord Shiva, relieve me of my afflictions!

Shiva

Lord Ganesha

OM Sumukhaaya namaha.

(Salutations to Ganesha, the one with a peaceful face.)

OM Ekadantaaya namaha.

(Salutations to Ganesha, the one with only one tusk.)

OM Kapilaaya namaha.

(Salutations to Ganesha, the one who is dark in color.)

OM Gajakarnakaaya namaha.

(Salutations to Ganesha, the one with elephant ears.)

OM Lambodaraaya namaha .(Salutations to Ganesha, the onr with a big belly. ) OM Vikataaya namaha.

(Salutations to Ganesha, the one who is large and beautiful.)

Ganesha

Lord Rama

Ramayana Page of the Sanatan Society

Saree's Ramayana Page

M.K. Gandhi Information Site