Hindu Gods - Part 2

Dear Readers,

In the previous part you learn about main GODs in Hindu religion. Here is the next 3 main deities of Hindu religion.

Saraswati is the wife of Brahma, and is the Goddess of education and knowledge. She has four hands representing four aspects of learning: mind, intellect, alertness and ego. To symbolize her connection to knowledge, she holds the sacred scriptures in one of her four hands. She plays the music of love and life on an instrument called a veena. She is dressed in white to signify her purity. She is often shown atop a white goose.



Lakshmi is the wife of Vishnu and is Goddess of prosperity, purity, chastity and generosity. She has four hands, representative of four spiritual virtues. She sits on a fully blossomed lotus, a seat of divine truth. Her palm is always extended to bless people. She is adored by Ganesha.





Parvati is wife of Shiva, the universal goddess. She is known as one of the benevolent forms (while Durga and Kali are the wrathful forms). She is appears as Shiva's consort, considered in this form to be a mountain goddess. According to legend, Shiva had become despondent over the death of his wife, so he turned to the life of a hermit. He sat concentrating his energies until he turned into a pillar of fire. The gods became worried over this, and begged the mother goddess Shakti for help. In response, the goddess took the form of Parvati, princess of the mountains, and sought to win Shiva's heart with the help of Kama, god of love. But when Kama shot his love-dart at Shiva, Shiva opened his third eye, let loose a fiery missile and reduced him to ashes. Parvati then took on the life of a hermit as well, and mortified her body through austerities that won Shiva's admiration, and he accepted her as his consort. Inspired by Parvati's beauty, Shiva made music and began to dance. Parvati also cajoled Shiva to reveal the secrets of the cosmos locked in his mind. It is believed many seers were enlightened when they overheard their conversation between the two lovers. Parvati is highly revered for her ability to transform the austere ascetic Shiva into an amorous householder.

Thank you, Readers
JS

Hindu Gods – Who & What is GOD?

Dear Readers,

In my understanding, GOD as Generation, Operation, Destruction thus forms the GOD. In Hinduism has, by many estimates, almost 330,000,000 deities. Of these, three,

Brahma the Creator (Generation)
Vishnu the Protector (Operation)
Shiva the Destroyer (Destruction)

So the Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva form the GOD, and they are more important.There are also many other lesser gods.

Brahma the Creator – Generation

Brahma is the prime deity. He is omniscient and represents perfection. In Sanskrit Brh means to expand, manifest, or grow. He creates individual souls and other gods.

Brahma appears seated on a lotus with four heads and four hands. Three of the hands contain a different tool. One hand holds the Vedas, sacred scriptures. The second holds a water pot, the third a rosary. The fourth hand is raised to give a blessing. His vehicle is a swan that represents the difference between good and bad judgment.

Vishnu the Protector - Operation

Vishnu is known as the remover. He separated heaven and earth, creating the universe. He also takes the forms of animals, such as the boar, tortoise, or the fish. A lotus sprang from his navel, giving birth to Brahma.

Vishnu appears on a powerful serpent that represents the sleeping universe. He has a dark color that symbolizes the passive and formless ether. He also has four hands. The first holds a conch shell, the second a discus. The third contains a lotus and the fourth a mace. The mace represents the capacity of the god to punish is discipline is ignored. His vehicle is a swift-flying bird known as the Garuda.


Shiva the Destroyer – Destruction

Shiva is the god of devotion. He represents victory over demonic activity and calmness and power of human nature. He is said to have taken the forms of different humans, animals, and vegetables on earth. His vehicle is a bull which is a symbol of happiness and strength.

Shiva appears meditating. His hair is matted and represents the flowing of the Ganges river. There is a serpent coiled around his neck and ashes cover his body.

A bronze sculpture of Shiva, one of the three main gods of the Hindu religion. He is dancing with one hand holding a flame, one hand beating a drum, and one foot resting of the demon of ignorance within a circle of fire.

Thank you, Readers

JS