Viṣṇu and Vaiṣṇava Traditions

Lesson 22 set out how Hindus hold many divine forms together. The next four lessons take the major streams in turn, beginning with the largest.

The lexicon derives Viṣṇu tentatively from √viṣ, glossing the sense as "All-pervader" or "Worker" — and flags the derivation as probable rather than certain. Either way the association is with reach and with activity, not with origination.

Here is the historically important fact, and the lexicon states it plainly: in the Vedic period Viṣṇu is not placed in the foremost rank. He is invoked, frequently in company with other gods, and especially alongside Indra — whom he assists in the killing of Vṛtra and with whom he drinks soma.