Hindu Deities

BRAHMAN The supreme existence or absolute reality, the font of all things eternal, conscious, irreducible, infinite, omnipresent, spiritual source of the universe of finiteness and change.

Om Image: Symbol for Brahman Also for stages of meditation or states of consciousness “infinity” (or “illusion”) separates us from unity with Brahman

The Trinity: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva

Lord Brahma Creator of the universe, the Supreme Being Least popularly worshipped Devotees he does attract are typically students, teachers, scholars and scientists.

Brahma is recognized as the four-faced god, although sometimes only three faces can be seen. His four faces represent the four Vedas, symbolizing that Brahma is the foundation of all the knowledge required for the creation of the universe.

He has four hands which may hold a rosary (with which he counts, represents time), a water pot, a book, a sceptre, a spoon, a bow or a lotus. As the whole universe evolves out of water, Brahma carries water in a the water pot. At times his hands may be in a protective stance, while one hand is usually there to bestow grace. His four hands represent the four directions, symbolizing that Lord Brahma is the omnipresent and the omnipotent. His white beard represents wisdom. Its length indicated that creation is a never-ending process.

Lord Vishnu Vishnu also known as Lord Narayana and Lord Hari. He is depicted with dark complexion of water-filled clouds and as having four arms. He is shown as a blue being, holding a padma (lotus flower) in the lower left hand, the mace in the lower right hand, the conch in the upper left hand and the discus weapon in the upper right hand.

Vishnu's eternal and supreme abode beyond the material universe is called Vaikuntha, which is also known as Paramdhama, the realm of eternal bliss and happiness and the final or highest place for liberated souls who have attained Moksha.

Vishnu's other abode within the material universe is Ksheera Sagara (the ocean of milk), where he reclines and rests on Ananta Shesha, the king of the serpent deities, commonly shown with multiple heads.

The Avatars of Vishnu Lord Vishnu's preserving, protecting powers have been manifested to the world in a variety of forms, called Avatars, in which one or more of his divine attributes were embodied in the shape of a human being or an animal or a human-animal combined form, possessing great and sometimes supernatural powers.

These avatars are ten in number. Of the ten universally recognized avatars, nine have already manifested whereas the tenth is yet to appear.

The 10 Avatars are the subjects of a 2008 animated film by Phoebus Studios

God Baby One of the more unusual images of Vishnu is as a baby, often identified as the avatar Rama or as Krishna.

Lakshmi The consort of Vishnu is Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, love, prosperity (both material and spiritual), fortune, and the embodiment of beauty. Here they are riding on a Garupa, a mythical creature that is a humanoid with bird- like features.

Shiva Shiva, the destroyer or transformer, is in many ways a paradoxical and ambiguous god, and it is impossible to offer a single description.

Common attributes Trident = three powers of knowledge, desire and implementation Drum = origin of sound, symbol of the Vedas Serpent = mastery of the ego Necklace = purity, mala beads in right hand = concentration Tiger skin = fearless, conquering Moon on face = the master of time

Common attributes Face on his head = the waters of the sacred river Ganges, source of all blessings, the flow of teachings passed from one generation to the next Dot on forehead = the third eye of mystical knowledge, which destroys evil and ignorance. Lines of white ashes on face = the destruction of “maya” or worldly illusion Water pot is made of a hollowed pumpkin, signifying the emptying of the self to become a vessel of bliss.

Shiva is considered the god of mystics and practitioners of yoga, and as such is self- disciplined and quite celibate. He is often depicted seated in philosophical isolation. Became associated with Agni, god of fire

Shiva is also depicted as a householder, as the ideal family man. His wife is Parvati. His two sons are Ganesh and Kartikeya. The bull is his traditional vehicle.

Kartikeya Commander of the gods, god of war Invoked by people desiring to have a son Most common weapon = lance, sometimes a bow Peacock is his symbol

Ganesha One of the best-known and most-worshipped of the Hindu deities. Hindus worship him no matter what their affiliation Remover of obstacles, “luck god” God of intellect, arts and science, creativity Invoked for inspiration during writing sessions

Ganesha The items in his hands represent the need to cut off worldly attachments and conquer emotions The swastikas are not Nazi symbols, but much older lucky or auspicious symbols. In sculpture the position of Lord Ganesh's trunk has a symbolic meaning. If the trunk turns to the Ganesh's left, that is the direction for success in the world. It is a position associated with grihastas, or householders. To his right, the trunk represents moksha, for renouncing the world.

Kali Shiva’s wife Pavati is also worshipped as Kali, the goddess of death and destruction. She is often depicted as standing over Shiva’s body--- Shiva lies in the path of Kali, whose foot on Shiva subdues her anger. She also considered the goddess of time and change.

Kali Kali is almost always shown with her red tongue hanging out, often from a mouth with fangs. She is garlanded with a necklace of human heads or skulls She holds a bloody scimitar and a severed head, and a bowl in which to catch the blood. Mystically she symbolizes primal energy,

In certain Yogic traditions she is worshipped as Kali- Ma or Mahakali, who has ten arms and ten legs. Under this aspect, she is considered the primordial goddess from whom all other deities came forth. In spite of her seemingly terrible form, Kali Ma is often considered the kindest and most loving of all the Hindu goddesses, as she is regarded by her devotees as the Mother of the whole Universe.