Vishnu floats across the waters of the cosmos on the back of the serpent dragon, Ananta accompanied by Lakshmi. Vishnu is regarded as a major god in Hinduism and Indian mythology. He is thought as the preserver of the universe while two other major Hindu gods Brahma and Shiva, are regarded respectively, as the creator and destroyer of the universe. He is the all-pervading essence of all beings, the master of the past, present and future, the creator and destroyer of all existences, one who supports, preserves, sustains and governs the universe and originates and develops all elements within. He is portrayed as blue or black shinned and has four arms. He has a thousand names and their repetition is an act of devotion. In almost all Hindu denominations, Vishnu is either worshipped directly or in the form of his ten avatars: Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parasurama, Rama, Balarama, Krishna, and Kalki. Lakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of wealth, prosperity (both material and spiritual), fortune, and the embodiment of beauty. She is the consort of the God Vishnu.