days (Gen. 1), after which God rested on the seventh day, concluding that the creation was “very good” (1:31) and complete (2:1). Vishnu is referred to as the preserver. The creations of Brahman are thus preserved by Vishnu. Vishnu is worshiped in ten incarnations. These are described in the Vedic literature. When dharma (order) is threatened, Vishnu leaves the heavenly realm and becomes incarnate in one of ten forms to restore and preserve order. The classical number of these incarnations is ten,
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