He is the most influential member of the Hindu triad, and the one that is worshipped the most. A fable is used to explain the reasons for this. A Rishi named Bhrigu went to find which God of the Hindu trinity deserved to be worshipped. He went to Brahma first and found him holding the Vedas. He was so proud to be the keeper of the Vedas that he did not rise to his feet to greet the Rishi. Rishi Bhrigu, angered at the disrespect shown to him, cursed Brahma to never be worshipped. He then went to visit Shiva. He was not able to meet with the God, who was engaged with his wife Parvati. Since sex was so important to Shiva, Rishi Bhrigu cursed him to be worshipped only through his sex organ. Bhrigu finally went to visit Vishnu. He found Vishnu fast asleep. Bhrigu, tired of all his travels, and being impatient with the god, kicked Vishnu on the chest. Vishnu woke up, and instead of losing his temper, gently massaged Bhrigu’s foot and asked if it was hurt. It was Vishnu’s humility that made Bhrigu decide that Vishnu alone out of the Triad deserved to be worshipped. (Gupta 1974)

Vishnu is often conceived as a deity willing and able to bestow abundant riches upon his worshippers. His name or epithets depict this. Vasuda-"granting wealth or appreciate object; Vasu; "wealth, possessions", Mahadhan "Possessing much wealth"(Gonda.1969) Vishnu is always seen as a god who deeply cares for man kind. He has come back in numerous reincarnations to help the earth get rid of some form of evil, whether it be man or god. His chief avatars recall ancient traits in his character: helpfulness, willingness to descend to and support the earth. With every reincarnation, his female consort, Lakshmi also reincarnates herself.

Vishnu has ten incarnations that most philosophers agree with, with one the is yet to come. His most famous ones are his incarnations of Krishna and Ramachandra. His purpose and place of incarnations is explained by Krishna himself in Gita, : "I take the human form in order to assist My devotees and when I am born the darkness and unrighteousness are dispelled. I destroy sin and help the good to hoist the flag of Righteousness. I destroy the hoards of evil-ones and establish the sages on the throne f honour. I re-establish in society Righteousness as well as Truth." (Gupta 1974)

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Vishnu is mention in all four vedas: the Rg. Veda, the Yajur-veda, the Sama veda, and the Atharva-veda. In the Rg Veda. he is characterized as the solar deity. He is celebrated in the Rg Veda for his wide-ranging three strides, demarcating the lowest and middle spheres from the highest realm to which he alone can attain. Vishnu is conceived in the Vedas as the sacrifice of the Gods. Vishnu first comprehended the issue of sacrifice and his head was cut off by his bow coming asunder and it became the sun. He is also mentioned in the Brahmanas and Mahabrharata. In the Brahamas, he is not a personalized divinity, but rather embodiments of the metaphysical significance and religious supremacy of the sacrifice, therefore he is the highest god. (Begley, 1973)

There are five steps in worshipping Vishnu. The first step, Abhigamana is going to the temple of Vishnu with the speech, the body and the mind centered on him only. Then comes Upadana in which the worshipper gathers materials of worship for the third step, the worshipping itself (Ijya). The last steps are the chanting of the mantras (Swadhayaja) and meditation (yoga). The worshippers believe that by worshipping Vishnu in these ways, for one hundred years, all sin is destroyed and they will be able to reach mantra.

Vishnu is worshipped because he is seen as an all-loving god, who puts others before himself. Vishnu is depicted as such a great example of a wonderful role model. By believing that if one does good unselfishly, then he will be rewarded. To believe in his teaching’s and his examples, is to apply it to your own life, to better yourself and the ones around you. Hinduism is not a religion, but a way of life.