Vishnu is one of the most important gods in the Hindu pantheon and along with Brahma and Shiva is considered a member of the holy trinity trimurti of Hinduism. He is the most important god of Vaishnaism the largest Hindu sect. Indeed to illustrate Vishnus superior status Brahma is in some accounts considered to have been born from a lotus flower which grew from Vishnus naval. A comple character Vishnu is the Preserver and guardian of men Narayana he protects the order of things dharma and when necessary he appears on earth in various incarnations or avatars to fight demons and fierce creatures and so maintain cosmic harmony. Vishnu was married to Lakshmi the goddess of good fortune Sarawati the goddess of wisdom and Ganga the goddess who is the personification of the River Ganges. However unable to live with the quarrels between his three wives Vishnu eventually sent Ganga to Shiva and Sarawati to Brahma. In some accounts another wife of Vishnus is Bhumi Devigoddess of the Earth. He is considered to live in the city of Vaikuntha on Mt. Meru where everything is made of shining gold and fabulous jewels and where there are lakes resplendent with lotus flowers.