Hindu Gods

But has several Gods to represent that God is in all life forms But has several Gods to represent that God is in all life forms Hinduism is one of the oldest religions Hinduism is one of the oldest religions It is also very Symbolic. It is also very Symbolic.

The Hindu Trinity... Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva How to remember it all… How to remember it all… G.O.D.= G.O.D.= Generator (Brahma), Operator (Vishnu), Shiva (Destroyer)

Brahma The mystical creator, supreme presence, God. The mystical creator, supreme presence, God. Vishnu and Shiva are different representations of Brahma. Vishnu and Shiva are different representations of Brahma. Facing Four directions Facing Four directions Holds lotus, Vedas, holy water, prayer beads Holds lotus, Vedas, holy water, prayer beads

Shiva the Hindu god that destroys the universe. the Hindu god that destroys the universe. the source of good and evil. the source of good and evil.

Shiva Halo of fire (birth and death) Halo of fire (birth and death) Dancing on the demon of ignorance Dancing on the demon of ignorance Flame of destruction, purification, renewal Flame of destruction, purification, renewal Hands in refuge, blessing Hands in refuge, blessing Snakes around neck Snakes around neck

Vishnu preserve the universe and people. preserve the universe and people. balances good and evil powers balances good and evil powers helps people through 10 Avatars or earthly forms helps people through 10 Avatars or earthly forms

The 10 Avatars of Vishnu

Matsya (Fish) As a giant fish, he warned of a great flood As a giant fish, he warned of a great flood A sage and the Vedas were rescued A sage and the Vedas were rescued

Kurma (Tortoise) Retrieved the gods’ elixir of immortality Retrieved the gods’ elixir of immortality It was lost in the ocean depths It was lost in the ocean depths Carries and stabilizes the world on his back Carries and stabilizes the world on his back

Varah (Boar) Rescued the earth from the ocean with his tusks Rescued the earth from the ocean with his tusks

Narasiha (Man-Lion) Destroyed Hiranyakasipu Destroyed Hiranyakasipu This demon could not be destroyed by man or animal alone This demon could not be destroyed by man or animal alone

Vamana (The Dwarf) First human avatar First human avatar Used to trick an evil ruler Bali into giving him all he could cover in 3 steps Used to trick an evil ruler Bali into giving him all he could cover in 3 steps He turned himself into a giant and covered the universe He turned himself into a giant and covered the universe

Parashurama (Rama with Axe) Kshatriyas were in power and ruling corruptly Kshatriyas were in power and ruling corruptly He helped restore Brahmins to power He helped restore Brahmins to power

Krishna (hero) Most important avatar Most important avatar Powerful and charming Powerful and charming

Rama (Prince) Usually pictured with Lakshman, Sita, Hanuman and sometimes Ganesha Usually pictured with Lakshman, Sita, Hanuman and sometimes Ganesha

Buddha (sometimes Balaram) Siddhartha Gautama, the prince Siddhartha Gautama, the prince Middle Path Middle Path Noble Truths Noble Truths Eightfold Path Eightfold Path

Kalki Yet to come Yet to come White horse, flaming sword White horse, flaming sword He comes to destroy the wicked and restart a new creation He comes to destroy the wicked and restart a new creation Like....? Like....?

Ganesha Vehicle is a mouse (fast-moving) Vehicle is a mouse (fast-moving) Rope to carry people to truth Rope to carry people to truth Axe to cut attachments Axe to cut attachments Dessert to reward spirituality Dessert to reward spirituality Palm extends to bless Palm extends to bless

Symbolism in Hinduism

Shakti (Mother Goddess) Active feminine power Active feminine power Mother goddess Mother goddess All of the trinity have a female partner: All of the trinity have a female partner:

Sarasvati (Brahma) Speech, wisdom, learning Speech, wisdom, learning Rides on a swan or goose Rides on a swan or goose Scriptures, lotus, plays music Scriptures, lotus, plays music

Parvati (Shiva) Durga - goddess beyond reach Durga - goddess beyond reach Kali-goddess of destruction Kali-goddess of destruction Durga rides a lion Durga rides a lion Kali rides the corpse of a demon Kali rides the corpse of a demon Happy married life (Ganesha and Lakshmi) Happy married life (Ganesha and Lakshmi)

Lakshmi (Vishnu) Goddess of wealth and prosperity Goddess of wealth and prosperity Daughter of Shiva and Parvati Daughter of Shiva and Parvati Divali Divali Adored by Ganesha Adored by Ganesha Sits on a lotus Sits on a lotus Palms always extented to bless Palms always extented to bless

Temples and Shrines

Home Shrines

Home Shrine

Objects of Puja

Bell

Diva Lamp

Incense stick and holder

Water Cup and Spoon

Kum Kum Powder

Prasad

Shrine at our home