Vayu is a male Indian name meaning "God of Wind and Air." In Hindu mythology, Vayu is the god of the winds and the divine messenger of the gods. Associated with the direction of the north-west, Vayu is praised in the Upanishads as the "life breath of the world." In later Hindu scriptures, he is described as a dikpala, one of the guardians of the direction. Vayu is also revered as Mukhyaprana, the "Chief Prana," and is considered the son of the god Vishnu. In the Mahabharata, Vayu is the spiritual father of the powerful Bhima, who played a major role in the Kurukshetra War. Vayu has three avatars: Hanuman, Bhima, and Madhvacharya. In Buddhism, Vayu is a dharmapāla and a directional guardian. The name Vayu is associated with strength, power, and the life force of the world.