Vishnu vs. Krishna — What's the Difference?

Vishnu (; [ʋɪʂɳʊ]; Sanskrit: विष्णु, IAST/ISO: Viṣṇu, lit. 'the pervader'), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism.Vishnu is known as "The Preserver" within the Trimurti, the triple deity of supreme divinity that includes Brahma and Shiva.

Krishna (, Sanskrit pronunciation: [ˈkr̩ʂɳɐ] (listen); Sanskrit: कृष्ण, IAST: Kṛṣṇa) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the supreme God in his own right.

One of the principal Hindu deities, worshiped as the protector and preserver of worlds. Vishnu is often conceived as a member of the trimurti along with Brahma and Shiva.

The eighth and principal avatar of Vishnu, often depicted as a handsome young man playing a flute. He appears as a charioteer and adviser of Arjuna in the Bhagavad-Gita.

A divinity of the modern Hindu trimurti, or trinity. He is regarded as the preserver, while Brahma is the creator, and Siva the destroyer of the creation.

The most popular of the Hindu divinities, usually held to be the eighth incarnation of the god Vishnu.

The Sustainer; a Hindu divinity worshipped as the preserver of worlds

8th and most important avatar of Vishnu; incarnated as a handsome young man playing a flute