Lakshmi, or very commonly Sri, is the wife of Vishnu, and under various names appears in this relation in his various incarnations. But this term is far more frequently employed for Shiva. And frequently he is indicated by the word Ishwar (God), as though he were the God. These generally, to a large extent, disregard his incarnations, and address their praise to him as the greatest of all. By those who make him the supreme object of worship, Vishnu is commonly called Narayana, though this was originally a name of Brahma. The world was produced from Vishnu it exists in him he is the cause of its continuance and cessation he is the world.' Immediately afterwards is a hymn addressed to him which commences as follows - 'Glory to the unchangeable, holy, eternal, supreme Vishnu, of one universal nature, the mighty over all to him who is Hiranyagarbha (Brahma), Hari (Vishnu), and Sankara (Siva) the Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer of the world.' As will be noticed later on, Shiva is commonly called Mahadeva (the great god). 'Listen to the complete compendium of the Purana according to its tenor. The essence of the teaching of the 'Vishnu Purana' is given in a few lines. Some worship Brahma, others Vishnu, others Shiva but Vishnu, one yet threefold, creates, preserves, and destroys: therefore let the pious make no difference between the three.' In order to create this world, the Supreme Spirit produced from the right side of his body himself as Brahma then, in order to preserve the world, he produced from his left side Vishnu and in order to destroy the world, he produced from the middle of his body the eternal Shiva. In the following passage from the 'Padma Purana,' it is taught that Vishnu is the supreme cause, thus identifying him with Brahma, and also that his special work is to preserve:-'In the beginning of creation, the great Vishnu, desirous of creating the whole world, became threefold Creator, Preserver, Destroyer. As Brahma's special work is creation, that of Vishnu is preservation.

In some books Brahma is said to be the first cause of all things, in others it is as strongly asserted that Vishnu has this honour while in others it is claimed for Shiva. Lord Vishnu is called the second person of the Hindu Trimurti, or Triad: but though called second, it must not be supposed that he is regarded as in any way inferior to Brahma.

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