Also 7 Vistney, 8 Wistchnu, 8–9 Vishnoo, Vishnou. [Skr. Vishnu, prob. f. the root vish, and meaning ‘all-pervader’ or ‘worker’ (Monier-Williams).] One of the principal Hindu deities, holding the second place in the great triad, but by his worshippers identified with the supreme deity and regarded as the preserver of the world.
1638. Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (ed. 2), 42. Bremaw … has power to create all other creatures. Vistney has order given to preserve them.
1763. Orme, Hist. Mil. Trans. Indostan, I. 182. That identical image of the god Wistchnu, which used to be worshipped by the god Brahma.
c. 1790. Sir W. Jones, Hymn to Náráyena, Wks. 1799, VI. 368. The evil beings, who are feigned to have sprung from the ears of Vishnu.
c. 1791. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), VIII. 516/1. Many of these enthusiasts will throw themselves in the way of the chariots of Vishnou or Sheevah.
c. 1813. Mrs. Sherwood, Stories Ch. Catech., x. 72. At the foot of this tree was a little stone figure of Vishnou (that is, one of this country’s gods).
1877. J. E. Carpenter, trans. Tiele’s Hist. Relig., 147. In the cultus of Krishna the worship of Vishnu reaches its climax.
