Vishnu is the Second Person of Hindu Trinity–the eternal Creator (Brahma), Preserver (Vishnu) and Destroyer (Shiva). He is also called the immortal Son, the Preserver of the divine design, and the Restorer of the universe by Wisdom’s light.

As the Preserver, Vishnu preserves divine design conceived in Wisdom’s flame. He restores the universe by Wisdom’s all-healing light. As the Son, Vishnu embodies Cosmic Christ wisdom. He is also the mediator, or bridge, between the human consciousness and Brahman, Absolute Reality.

According to the teachings of Hinduism, whenever the forces darkness would get the upper hand on earth, Vishnu would come to the aid of humanity by taking incarnation as an avatar. The avatar would vanquish evil and establish the religion of the age in which he was born.

Vishnu was thus incarnated nine times, most notably as Rama (his seventh incarnation) and Krishna (his eighth incarnation).

Words from the Master: Vishnu »

Adapted from The Masters and Their Retreats, Summit University Press, 2003