Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Trimurthis

Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are considered the Trimurthis, often translated into English as the Trinity of Hindu gods. In reality, they represent the triple functions of Brahman in creation. In their highest aspect, they are said to be the same, but different in their functional aspect, each ruling over a particular sphere and participating in creation along with their attendant deities

Mohini

During the churning of the oceans, when the pot of elixir finally manifested, it became necessary for Vishnu, at the behest of gods, to appear as a beautiful maiden and delude the demons to prevent them from partaking the elixir and instead opt for an intoxicating drink. So beautiful was the form of Mohini that even Shiva was overcame with feelings of love and infatuation.

Garuda

Eagle shaped god; is the vehicle of Vishnu, whose images are found in Vaishnava temples as an associate deity of Vishnu or his aspects near or opposite the sanctum sanctorum

Shiva

In ancient times, was the most popular deity of Hinduism, worshipped in numerous form and diverse communities throughout the Indian subcontinent and even outside; has several sects and sub sects; followers worship Him as the Supreme Brahman who is responsible for the creation, preservation, and destruction of the worlds, besides delusion and liberation of the beings; considered the destroyer; has also several aspects, manifestations, emanations and attendant deities; abode is called Kailās; worshipped in the temples and households in his anthromorphic form and in the form of Sivalinga; also worshipped in the form of symbols in Tantra

Narasimha

In this incarnation Vishnu assumed the fierce form of a man-lion with a human body but the head of a lion, to save Prahlada, his devotee

Vamana

In this incarnation Vishnu assumed the form of a dwarfish Brahman boy to slay Bali, a noble but demonic king, who defeated Indra and occupied heaven. After obtaining permission from Bali to secure a space equal to three steps for himself, with two strides he covered the whole universe and with the third he pushed Bali into the underworld.

Parashurama

In this incarnation Vishnu was born as the son of Brahmana couple, Jamadagni and Renuka, but assumed the duties of a warrior to destroy the entire Kshatriya race as they had become tyrannical and fallen into sinful ways. This incident probably alludes to a conflict between Kshatriya and Brahmanas, and the subsequent decline of the Kshatriyas, which was discussed before.

Rama

In this incarnation which is well described in the epic Ramayana, Vishnu was born as the warrior prince Rama with a specific purpose to slay the ten-headed demon king Ravana, who had become invincible due to a boon obtained by him from Shiva. In this incarnation he was assisted by his brother Laksmhmana and by Hanuman

Krishna

In this incarnation, he played a key role in the Mahabharata war and because a household name for his exploits and his teaching of the Bhagavadgita, which he delivered to Arjuna in the middle of the battlefield.

Kalki

In this incarnation, which is expected to happen at the end of Kali Yuga or the Age of Darkness, Vishnu will incarnate as a fierce warrior. Riding upon the back of a white horse and carrying a sword, he will destroy the sinners and the wicked ones to restore Dharma and herald the dawn of a new golden age.

Buddha

The incarnation of Buddha figures only in certain accounts. In others it is ascribed to Balarama. Where it is included, it is described in negative terms. According to one version, in this incarnation which happened during Kali Yuga, Vishnu was born as Buddha, with a specific mission to mislead the demons who were born as atheists and non-believers and cause their downfall and destruction by preaching them the philosophy of no-soul and no God.

Matsya

This is the incarnation of Vishnu as a mighty fish to save Manu, the father of mankind, the sages and the knowledge of the Vedas for the renewal of life upon earth, following a great flood

Vyasa

also known as Krishna-Dvaipayana, is credited with the authorship of several scriptures, which include the Vedas, the Mahabharata, all the Puranas and the Brahmasutras. He is also credited with the composition of the Bhagavadgita since it forms part of the Mahabharata

Soma

an important Vedic deity who is extolled in several hymns; entire ninth mandala of Rig-Veda is dedicated to him; associated with Soma juice, which was extracted by the Vedic priests ritually during Soma sacrifices from an unknown plant; it was evidently an intoxicating drink used in the rituals to enter into communion with gods and ancestors

Vishnu

considered the preserver responsible for the preservation and maintenance of creation; goes by several names, such as Narayana; has also manifested upon earth as incarnations (avataras); India is dotted with numerous temples of him and His numerous aspects and incarnations; abode is known as Vaikuntha.

Parvathi

consort of Shiva and goddess of love, devotion, and destruction; personifies numerous aspects of Mother Goddess and is sometimes equated with the Mother of the Universe; considered the second incarnation of Mother Goddess after the self-immolation of her first incarnation as Sati; numerous shakti pithas installed in various parts of India to worship Sati; goes by several names such as Durga; has both pleasant and fierce aspects; depicted either alone or in the company of Shiva. In the Ardhanarishwara form, as Prakriti she is represented as one half of Siva, the Purusha.

Brahma

creator god, originally known as Prajapati; first born, father of the gods, humans and demons; also their teacher, who taught them about the nature of Self and the importance of virtue; revealer of the Vedas to the mankind; has several mind born sons. In the early Upanishads and Vedic hymns he is credited with incarnations and described as the Cosmic Person (Purusha) as well as Isvara; also described as Prakriti or Nature; enjoyed an exalted position in ancient times, when the original Kshatriyas ruled the land and with their decline, his popularity declined; presently worshipped only in a few temples

Usha

described in the Rig Veda as the goddess of dawn, daughter of the sky, heaven's radiant daughter, auspicious goddess, opulent, and lady of the light with resplendent rays, who dawns upon people with prosperity and who graciously answers to the prayers with abundance and with brilliant light; she may be even a precursor to Lakshmi, who also rises from the ocean like Usha

Varuna

described in the Vedas as the god of rains, clouds, water, rivers and oceans

Agni

figures prominently in the Rig-Veda, with the highest number of hymns addressed to him; manifests are fire upon earth

Lakshmi

goddess of abundance who is responsible for health, wealth, luck and happiness; consort of Vishnu; born in milky oceans during the churning of the oceans and gifted to Vishnu; depicted with four or two hands, either alone or in the company of Vishnu. When alone she is shown either seated in a lotus or standing in it, with elephants in the background; goes by many names, the most popular being Sri; incarnated several times upon earth along with Vishnu and participated in his duties as the preserver. Owl is described as her vehicle; has numerous forms; worship of her eight forms

Saraswathi

goddess of knowledge and learning; symbolizes our knowledge, virtue and creative intelligence; consort of Brahma; she is the cause of knowledge, wisdom and liberation among the intelligent beings; responsible for refinement in speech, all artistic expressions and civilized behavior; name means the flowing one; hamsa or swan as her vehicle, while some mention peacock; depicted carrying a vina, an Indian musical instrument.

Varaha

incarnation Vishnu as a boar to save the earth from destruction when the demon Hiranyaksha submerged it under an ocean. Assuming the form of a boar, Vishnu lifted the earth and saved humankind.

Kurma

incarnation of Vishnu as a tortoise to support the mountain Mandhara and prevent it from sinking, when it was used by gods and demons to churn the oceans to obtain Amrita or the elixir of life.

Indra

leader of gods, the lord of the heaven and the chief deity who figures prominently in the Vedas, with a quarter of the Rig-Veda Samhita devoted to his praise; hymns extol him as a great warrior who slew his enemies including the demon Vrata and clipped the wings of mountains with his mighty weapon the thunderbolt; By the time the Puranas were composed, this mighty god of the early Vedic period lost his prominence and was relegated to an inferior position.

Atman

lord of the body; immortal, transcendental, imperishable Self, who cannot be reached through senses or the mind, but only in a non-dual state of self-absorption; not worshipped in temples or public places, but only internally through concentration and meditation.

Yama

means "restraining one" and is known as the lord of death; assisted in his duties by two fierce dogs with four eyes and wide nostrils who guard the path that lead the departed to his world

Shakti

means divine feminine energy; also known as Mother Goddess, Divine Mother, Prakriti, Maya and various other names; represents the materiality and objectivity in creation; also known as the Field (kshetra); she represents the mind and body in beings; considered the highest supreme reality itself in the Tantra tradition, with Brahman remaining in the background as the passive witness consciousness; In Vedic tradition she is a dependent reality, but in tantra she is independent; companion of Shiva

Hanuman

one of the most popular gods of Hinduism today; son of Vayu, born with the powers and blessings of Shiva; played a vital role in the Ramayana, assisting Rama in finding Sita and fighting on his behalf with the demons of Ravana; has the features of a monkey, with a strong human body and heart of gold; known for his exemplary devotion to Rama and Sita; served as an emblem for the Pandavas during the Mahabharata war; worshipped in numerous temples across India and elsewhere

Adityas

solar deities and sons of Aditi

Maruts

storm or wind deities of the mid-region who are often invoked along with Agni in the sacrifices to come together

Rudras

the god of storms, who howls and roars, with shining body and braided hair, and wields the thunderbolt, bow and arrow; a benevolent god, repels the anger of gods and helps the worshippers; often equated with Agni and later with Shiva

Yajnesa

the lord of the sacrifice. The whole manifestation happened because of a sacrifice and Vishnu is its sacrificer, sacrificed and object of sacrifice. Hence, the various limbs of the deity are compared to various parts of a sacrifice

Aditi

the prima mother of gods, especially the twelve solar deities known as Adityas, of whom Vishnu is one; a prototype of Mother Goddess or Prakriti, who is often compared in the Vedas to the sky and the space.

Adishesha

the serpent king who is also known as Shesha and Anantashesa; described as many thousand-hooded serpent with a mass of coils floating in the waters of creation, upon which rests Vishnu and Lakshmi

Surya

the sun god, and one of the solar deities (Adityas)

Vayu

the wind god who is described in the Vedas as the lord of the mid-region and a great absorber; represents the breath in the body; rides upon a chariot drawn by a large number of horses