Lord Vishnu: The Preserver

Key idea: When the world wobbles, Vishnu steadies it. He holds the cosmos together through order (dharma), returning in avatars whenever balance is lost.

Symbolism

• Shankha (conch): the primal sound of creation, Om made audible

• Sudarshana Chakra: time and dharma, always turning, never late

• Gada (mace): discipline and the power to protect

• Padma (lotus): purity that rises above the muddy water

Temples

• East: Jagannath Temple, Puri

• West: Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka

• North: Badrinath Temple, Uttarakhand

• South: Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam