[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879) › c5.2109 # A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.2109 A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.2109 - **Language:** English ### [c5.2109](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.2109) VISHNU. Root, \*vish\*, ‘to pervade.’ The second god of the Hindu triad. In the \*Rig-veda\* Vishnu is not in the first rank of gods. He is a manifestation of the solar energy, and is described as striding through the seven regions of the universe in three steps, and enveloping all things with the dust (of his beams). These three steps are explained by commentators as denoting the three manifestations of light—fire, lightning, and the sun; or the three places of the sun—its rising, culmination, and setting. In the Veda he is occasionally associated with Indra. He has very little in common with the Vishnu of later times, but he is called “the unconquerable preserver,” and this distinctly indicates the great preserving power which he afterwards became. - [Previous: c5.2108](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.2108) - [Next: c5.2110](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.2110) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5) ## Cites (1) - [Ṛgvedasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.rg) — Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.2109](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.2109) · Pramāṇa