The god Vishnu, one of the three great deities in the Hindu pantheon, rides on Garuda, a creature that is half man and half bird. In each of his eight hands, Vishnu holds weapons and devices relating to his role as the preserver of the universe. The deity balances the powers of good and evil, and periodically he restores equilibrium during the universe's endless cycle of creation of destruction. While each age begins in a stable and balanced state, demons gradually corrupt humanity until destruction is imminent. In times of great evil, Vishnu comes to earth in human form to destroy the demons and uphold dharma, the divine rule of virtue, righteousness, and duty.