[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c9.4575 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.4575 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.4575 - **Language:** English ### [c9.4575](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4575) VIṢṆU. 1) General information. Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara are the Lords of creation, sustenance and extermination of this perishable universe. These trimūrtis (three figures) also are perishable. It is said, that one day of Brahmā will constitute thousand four-fold (catur) yugas and that during the life of Brahmā, fourteen Indras will fall down from heaven and die. This is a Brahmā age. The ages of two Brahmās constitute the age of one Viṣṇu. At the end of the age Viṣṇu also will perish. The age of Śiva is double the age of Viṣṇu. Śiva will also perish at the end of his age. (Devī Bhāgavata, Skandha 5). When everything perishes there comes the deluge (the great flood). After that, for one hundred and twenty Brahmā years the universe will be desolate and void. In that deep eternal silence, Viṣṇu will be seen sleeping on a banyan leaf on the surface of water. That is the beginning of the next great age. In this stage, Bālamukunda is the name of Mahāviṣṇu. As he remains on Nāra or water he will be called Nārāyaṇa also. The name Viṣṇu means he who possesses the habit of Vyāpana (To pervade). While Viṣṇu, who has the power to spread his control over everything in whatever condition, lies on the banyan-leaf. From his navel, a lotus-stalk grows up, and on the top of the stalk, in the lotus flower, Brahmā comes into being. Brahmā does penance before Viṣṇu and extols him. Mahāviṣṇu confers on Brahmā the power of creation of the subjects. That Brahmā perishes along with the deluge and in his place another Brahmā is born. Thus in the life-time of Viṣṇu two Brahmās come into being and perish. - [Previous: c9.4574](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4574) - [Next: c9.4576](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4576) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9) ## Cites (1) - [Devībhāgavatapurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.upa.sakta.devibhagavata) — Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4575](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4575) · Pramāṇa