Vishnu
The
preserver god of the Trinity has four hands. The first holds a conch shell (sankha)
indicating spread of the divine sound "Om"; one holds a discus (chakra),
a reminder of the wheel of time, and to lead a good life; one holds a lotus (Padma)
which is an example of glorious existence and the fourth hands holds a mace (gada)
indicating the power and the punishing capacity of the Lord if discipline in
life is ignored.
His vehicle is the swift-flying bird Garuda which can spread the Vedic knowled
ge with great courage. The dark color of the Lord represents the passive and
formless ether, a great quality for a pervading god. He rests on the bed of the
powerful, coiled serpent, Seshanag who represents the sleeping universe. Lord
Vishnu is also known as Hari, the remover.
Lord Vishnu's consort is Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth.