The son of Nara, the original or the primeval man. The creator of Brahma (q.v); he was called Narayana because the waters (nara) were his first ayana, the place of motion and rest. A name of Vishnu, the primordial saviour. (See Vishnu and Avatara)

Narayana (Sanskrit: नारायण; ) or Narayan is an important Sanskrit name for Vishnu and is in many contemporary vernaculars, a common Indian name. The name is also associated with Brahma and Krishna. He is also identified with, or as the son of, the original man, Purusha.