Hindu gods and goddesses

Hindu Dieties
Within Smarta Hinduism, a variety of forms of God are
seen as aspects of the one impersonal divine ground,
Brahman (not Brahma). Brahman is seen as the universal
spirit. Brahman is the ultimate, both transcendent and
immanent the absolute infinite existence, the sum total of
all that ever is, was, or ever shall be.Brahman is not a God
in the monotheistic sense, as it is not imbued with any
limiting characteristics, not even those of being and non-
being, and this is reflected in the fact that in Sanskrit, the
word Brahman is of neuter (as opposed to masculine or
feminine) gender.
Vedanta is a branch of Hindu philosophy which gives this
matter a greater focus. Yoga is the primary focus in many
ways of a Hindu's religious activities, being somewhere
between meditation, prayer and healthful exercise.
Some of Hinduism's adherents are Smarta monists, seeing
multiple manifestations of the one God or source of being,
which is often confused by non-Hindus as being polytheist.
It is however properly seen as one unity, with the personal
gods being different aspects of one Supreme Being, like a
single beam of light separated into colors by a prism, and
are valid to worship.

Swami Vivekananda, a follower of Ramakrishna, along
with many others, who brought Hindu beliefs to the West,
were all Smarta in belief. Other denominations of
Hinduism, as described later, don't hold this belief strictly
and more closely adhere to a Western perception of what a
monotheistic faith is. Additionally, like Judaeo-Christian-
Islamic religions which believe in angels, Hindus also
believe in less powerful entities, such as devas.
Trimurti
In Hinduism, the Trimurti (also called the Hindu trinity) are
three aspects of God in His forms as Brahma, Vishnu and
Shiva.

 Brahma - Hindu creator god
Brahma is the Hindu god (deva) of creation and one of the
Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. He is not to be
confused with the Supreme Cosmic Spirit in Hindu
Vedanta philosophy known as Brahman. Also, in Sanskrit
Grammer, Brahman is Nominative Singular of generic
word Brahman, as Aatma is Nominative Singular for

Aatman. Brahaman and Aatman are same in Vedanta
Philosphy, the Para-Aatma (Supersoul) and Jeeva Aatma
(Individual Soul) are Brahman. His consort is Saraswati,
the goddess of learning. Brahma is often identified with
Prajapati, a Vedic deity.
According to the Puranas, Brahma is self-born (without
mother) in the lotus flower which grew from the navel of
Vishnu at the beginning of the universe. This explains his
name Nabhija (born from the navel). Another legend says
that Brahma was born in water. In this he deposited a seed
that later became the golden egg. From this ,
Brahma
The remaining materials of this
golden egg expanded into the Brahmanda or Universe.
Being born in water, Brahma is also called
Brahma is said also to be the son of the
Supreme Being, Brahman and the female energy known as
Prakrti or Maya.
At the beginning of the process of creation, Brahma created
eleven Prajapatis (used in another sense), who are believed
to be the fathers of the human race. The Manusmriti
enumerates them as Marichi, Atri, Angirasa, Pulastya,
Pulaha, Kratu, Vasishtha, Prachetas or Daksha, Bhrigu, and
Narada. He is also said to have created the seven great
sages or the Saptarishi to help him create the universe.
However since all these sons of his were born out of his
mind rather than body, they are called Manas Putras or
mind-sons.

Within Vedic and Puranic scripture Brahma is described as
only occasionally interfering in the affairs of the other
devas (gods), and even more rarely in mortal affairs. He did
force Soma to give Tara back to her husband, Brihaspati.
He is considered the father of Dharma and Atri.
 Vishnu - the Maintainer, Preserver
He is most famously identified with His avatars, or
incarnations of God, most especially Krishna and Rama.
Additionally, another important name for Vishnu is
Narayana.

 Shiva - …
Shiva is considered to be the supreme deity in Shaivism, a
denomination of Hinduism. Many Hindus such as those of
Smarta tradition are free to accept various manifestations of
the divine as their chosen deity for worship, and those who
prefer Shiva are called Shaivas. Shaivism, along with
Vaisnava traditions that focus on Vishnu, and Sakta
traditions that focus on the Goddess (Devi) are three of the
most influential denominations in Hinduism.
The worship of Shiva is a pan-Hindu tradition, practiced
widely across all of India. Shiva is one of the five primary
forms of the Divine in Smartism, a denomination of
Hinduism that puts particular emphasis on five deities,

Another way of thinking about the divinities in Hinduism
identifies Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva as each representing
one of the three primary aspects of the Divine in Hinduism,
known collectively as the Trimurti. In the Trimurti system,
Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the maintainer or
preserver, and Shiva is the destroyer or transformer.
Attributes of Shiva
 Third Eye: Shiva is often depicted with a third eye with
which he burned Desire (Kama) to ashes.
 Serpents: Shiva is often shown garlanded with a snake.
 Crescent: Shiva bears on his head the crescent of the fifth
day (panchami) moon. This is placed near the fiery third
eye and this shows the power of Soma, the sacrificial
offering, which is the representative of moon. It means that
Shiva possesses the power of procreation along with the
power of destruction.The moon is also a measure of time;
thus the Crescent also represents his control over time.
Thus Shiva is known by the names of Somasundara and
Chandrashekara.
 Sacred Ganga: Ganga, the holiest of the holy rivers,
flows from the matted hair of Shiva. Shiva allowed an
outlet to the great river to traverse the earth and bring

purifying water to human beings. The flowing water is one
of the five elements which compose the whole Universe
and from which earth arises. Ganga also denotes fertility
one of the creative aspect of Shiva.
 Drum: A small drum shaped like an hourglass is known
as a "damaru". This is one of the attributes of Shiva in his
famous dancing representation known as Nataraja. A
specific hand gesture (mudra) called damaru-hasta
(Sanskrit for "damaru-hand") is used to hold the drum. This
drum is particularly used as an emblem by members of the
Kapalika sect.
 Vibhuti: Vibhuti is three lines of ashes drawn on the
forehead that represents the essence of our Being, which
remains after all the malas (impurities of ignorance, ego
and action) and vasanas (likes and dislikes, attachments to
one's body, world, worldly fame, worldly enjoyments, etc.)
have been burnt in the fire of knowledge. Hence vibhuti is
revered as the very form of Shiva and signifies the
Immortality of the soul and manifested glory of the Lord.
 Ashes: Shiva smears his body with ashes (bhasma).
Some forms of Shiva, such as Bhairava, are associated with
a very old Indian tradition of cremation-ground asceticism
that was practiced by some groups who were outside the
fold of brahmanic orthodoxy. These practices associated
with cremation grounds are also mentioned in the Pali
canon of Theravada Buddhism. One epithet for Shiva is
"Inhabitant of the cremation ground" referring to this
connection.
 Tiger skin: He is often shown seated upon a tiger skin.

 Elephant and Deer Skin: Shiva also wears elephant skins.
Similarly deer represent the jumping of minds (flickering
mind). Shiva wears deer skin which indicates that he has
controlled the mind perfectly.
 Trident: (Sanskrit: Trishula) Shiva's particular weapon is
the trident.
 Nandi, the Bull, is his Vahana (Sanskrit for vehicle).
 Lingam:Shiva is often worshipped in the form of a
lingam.These are depicted in various forms. <li
 Mount Kailasha in the Himalayas is his traditional abode.
 He is often represented as immersed in deep meditation.
 He is said to eradicate Kama (sexual desire), Moha
(material desire) and Maya (mundane thoughts) from his
devotees' minds.
Polytheistic Gods
Although the pantheistic system allowed only a subordinate
rank to the old polytheistic gods, and the actual religious
belief of the people was probably but little affected by their
existence, they continued to occupy an important place in
the affections of the poet, and were still represented as
exercising considerable influence on the destinies of man.
The most prominent of them were regarded as the
appointed Loka palas, or guardians of the world; and as
such they were made to preside over the four cardinal and

(according to some authorities) the intermediate points of
the compass.
Thus Indra, the chief of the gods, was regarded as the
regent of the east; Agni, the fire, was in the same way
associated with the southeast; Yama with the south; Surya,
the sun, with the southwest; Varuna, originally the
representative of the all-embracing heaven (atmosphere),
now the god of the ocean, with the west; Vayu (or Pavana),
the wind, with the northwest; Kubera, the god of wealth,
with the north; and Soma with the northeast. (Note: In
some traditions, Eesana, an aspect of Siva is regarded as the
regent of the northeast and Nirrti the regent of the
southwest.)
In the institutes of Manu the Loka palas are represented as
standing in close relation to the ruling king, who is saki to
be composed of particles of these his tutelary deities. The
retinue of Indra consists chiefly of the Gandharvas, a class
of genii, considered in the epics as the celestial musicians;
and their wives, the Apsaras, lovely nymphs, who are
frequently employed by the gods to make the pious devotee
desist from carrying his austere practices to an extent that
might render him dangerous to their power. Narada, an
ancient sage (probably a personification of the cloud, the
water-giver), is considered as the messenger between the
gods and men, and as having sprung from the forehead of
Brahma.
The interesting office of the god of love is held by
Kamadeva, also called Ananga, the bodyless, because, as
the myth relates, having once tried by the power of his

mischievous arrow to make Siva fall in love with Parvati,
whilst he was engaged in devotional practices, the urchin
was reduced to ashes by a glance of the angry god. Two
other mythological figures of some importance are
considered as sons of Siva and Parvati, viz. Karttikeya or
Skanda, the leader of the heavenly armies, who was
supposed to have been fostered by the six Knittikas
or Pleiadesand Ganesha (lord of troops).
Smartism
Smartism, a denomination of Hinduism is a monist as well
as a monotheist religion that understands different deities as
representing various aspects and principles of one supreme
entity, Brahman or parabrahman. After all, Swami
Vivekananda, a follower of Ramakrishna, along with many
others, who brought Hindu beliefs to the West, were all
Smarta in belief. Other denominations of Hinduism do not
strictly hold this belief. Only a Smartist would have no
problem worshiping Shiva or Vishnu together as he views
the different aspects of God as leading to the same One
God. It is the Smarta view that dominates the view of
Hinduism in the West. By contrast, a Vaishnavite considers
Vishnu as the one true God, worthy of worship and other
forms as subordinate.

Vedic Deities - These deities represent forces of nature or
devas and are not equivalent to Brahman represented as
Vishnu or Shiva. The Devas hold a similar place in relation
to God as angels do in Judaeo-Christian traditions.
Ancient India - Goddesses
Aditi - Hindu Great Goddess, as the Woman Clothed with
the Sun. Sun Goddess, Mother of all the Lights of Heaven.
She gave birth to the twelve zodiacal spirits.
Ananta - Indian Serpent Queen. aka Sarparajni. She
enveloped all gods during their death, sleeping between
incarnations.
Banka-Mundi - Hunting Goddess of the Khoud. Merely
uttering Her name made one fearless against jungle beasts.
Bardaichila - Assamese Storm Goddess.
Bentakumari - Assamese Water Goddess. First fish of the
season was given to Her.
Bhasundara - Tibetan Goddess of Prosperity

Bhavani - Common name for Mother Goddess of India.
Bestower of Existence. Evoked by women in labor, who
burned perfume to honor Her.
Bisal-Mariamna - Shakti of Sunlight in Mysore.
Symbolized by a brass pot full of water called the Kunna-
Kannadi or 'eye mirror'. Into this pot are put pepper leaves
and coconut flowers, a small metal mirror leans against it.
Budhi Pallien - Assamese Forest Goddess, appears as a
tiger roving through the Indian jungle.
Chomo-Lung-Ma - Goddess Mother of the Universe,
original name of Mt. Everest. One of the oldest Indian
deities.
Devi - Dearly Beloved Goddess
Durga - the Queen Mother, Warrior Goddess, rode tigers
into battle defending Her children, the gods.
Hudigamma - Hindu Mother Goddess served by eunuch
priests dressed in women's clothes.
Indrani - Queen of the gods.
Ista Devata - Tantric Patroness of the Self. Individual
Guardian Angel of the Enlightened Sage.
Kadru - Serpent Goddess, Mother of the Nagas, or Cobra
people.
Kali - Black Earth Mother, Conqueror of Time, Goddess of
fertility, death and regeneration. Dark Mother, Hindu triple

Goddess of creation, preservation and destruction. Birth
and Death Mother. Treasure house of Compassion, Giver of
Life to the World. Her mantras brought into being the very
things whose names She spoke for the first time, Originator
of the creative word or Logos. A triple Goddess - Maiden,
Mother, Crone. Lady of the Dead. The Ocean of Blood at
the beginning and end of the world. Also known as
Jagadamba.
Kauri - Indo-European Swan Goddess. Cowrie shell was
sacred to Her.
Khon-Ma - Mother Earth, Ruler of All Spirits emanating
from the Earth element.
Kundalini - Serpent Goddess representing the inner power
of the human body
Kurukulla - Dravidian Goddess of Caverns.
Lakshmi - Goddess of fortune,wealth and abundance.
Portrayed as a golden skinned woman sitting or standing on
a lotus, Her symbol. Hindu Goddess of Sovereignty. Source
of the divine drink Soma. aka Padma, Lady Lotus. Goddess
of Beauty and Good Fortune.
Manasa-Devi - Serpent Goddess of Bengal, identified with
the Moon, bearing the Moons's magic name Mana.
Marici - Buddhist Diamond Sow, Great Goddess seated on
a lotus surrounded by 7 pigs. Glorious One. Sun of
Happiness.

Maya - Virgin aspect of the triple Hindu Goddess,
symbolized by a Spider, spinner of magic, fate and earthly
appearances. The spider's web was likened to the Wheel of
Fate and the spider to the Goddess as a Spinner, sitting at
the hub of Her Wheel. Mother of the Enlightened One,
Buddha. Her colors were white, red and black. Hawthorne,
Her tree.
Nanda Devi - Blessed Goddess. Mountain Mother Who
gave birth to the Ganges. Nanda Devi is one of the Holiest
Mountains of the Himalayan chain.
Parvati - Maiden aspect of Kali. Daughter of the Mountain.
Shiva's bride. Daughter of Heaven. Also known by Maya,
Sati, Durga, Shakti, Privithi. Dark and colorful, ornate and
mysterious. The richness of hues in Her attire as well as
Her jewels symbolize Her power. She lifts Her veil to
reveal Her beauty, shining like the Sun rising over the
mountain of Anapurna. The cocoon, butterfly and the
karmic golden wheel reflect Her deep connection with life
and death, cause and effect, and transformation.
Prajnaparamita - Personification of Wisdom
Prakriti - Nature. Sanskrit title of Kali as female Holy
Trinity, commanding the Gunas, the white, red and black
threads of Creation, Preservation and Destruction. She
embodied past, present, future; earth, sea, sky; youth,
maturity, age.

Privithi - Very ancient Earth Mother.
SaraÊ Kali - Queen Kali, Mother Goddess of the gypsies.
The Mother, the Woman, the Sister, the Queen, the source
of all Romany blood. Queen of Heaven and Earth.
Sarama - Vedic Bitch Goddess, Mother of the brindled
Dogs of Yama. The Huntress.
Saranyu - Goddess Who gave birth to all animals, Mother
of all Creatures. Vedic Mare Goddess, Mother of the
Centaurs.
Sarasvati - White skinned Goddess of poetry, music,
science and learning as well as all creative arts. Inventor of
the Sanscrit language. She wears a crescent moon on her
brow and rides a swan or a peacock, or is seated on a lotus.
The Flowing One. Inventor of all the arts of civilization:
music, letters, mathematics, calendars, magic, the Vedas
and all other branches of learning. Ancient River Goddess.
Queen of Heaven. Mother of Waters. aka Ganga. Originally
a River Goddess, She originated in the Ocean. Great
culinary Goddess, She invented Soma, or Amrita (drink of
bliss). Independent of nature. Goddess of sensual love,
creativity, beauty, art and music. Goddess of learning and
teaching
Savitri - Hindu Mother of Civilization, She Who brought
forth music and literature, rhythm, time, measurements, day
and night, memory, conquest, victory and yoga.

Shakti - Tantric title of the Great Goddess. Cosmic Energy.
The Tantras say the female principle antedates and includes
the male principle and this female principle is the Supreme
Divinity. Tantric doctrine says mortal women are life itself,
and Goddess-like, because they embody the principle of
Shakti. The series of Universes appear and disappear with
the opening and shutting of her eyes. (from the Lalita
Sahasranamam) Final union with Shakti occurred at the
moment of Death, according to Tantric mystics.
Shasti - Bengali Feline Goddess, depicted riding a cat.
Goddess of childbirth and Protectress of Children.
Shitala - Protectress against small pox. Mothers appealed to
Her for help for their children.
Sita - Furrow, the Goddess Earth as the wife of Rama ..
Smashana-Kali - Kali Ma as the Goddess of cremation
grounds and other places of Death. Her yantra was an 8
petaled lotus with multiple repetitions of the inverted
triangle. The meaning was Rebirth following Death. Her
priestesses, called dakinis, arranged funerals and tended the
dying.
Tara - Pre-Vedic Savior Goddess, known from India to
Ireland. Indo-European primal Goddess Earth. An
extremely ancient festival held annually at Athens was
named after Her, Taramata (Mother Tara) nicknamed The
Rioting because of its wild orgiastic customs. The sacred
grove of Tara in Ireland was the Goddess's genital shrine.

In India, Tara is called The Most Revered of the old pre-
vedic Goddesses. Wine is sacred to Her. Goddess of
Compassion, The Diamond Sow. Diamonds are Her sacred
stone. Tibetan Buddhist Great Mother. She is a
Boddhisattva, an enlightened One who has vowed to
incarnate until all beings have attained enlightenment. She
also vowed to incarnate only as a female. She governs the
Underworld, the Earth and the Heavens, birth, death and
regeneration, love and war, the seasons, all that lives and
grows, the Moon cycles. Green Tara is Her Nature-related
aspect. Typically She is seen as a slender and beautiful
woman of white complexion, long golden hair and blue
eyes. She can also appear as red, black or dark blue. Her
animals are the sow, mare, owl and raven. Goddess of
spiritual transformation. When worshiping Tara, recognize
all you see as Her body, made of green light, all you hear is
Her divine speech, and all your thoughts as Her divine
wisdom. Every molecule of air is Her divine energy and
when you lie down, your head rests in Her lap.
Uma - The Golden Goddess, personifying light and beauty.
Daughter of the Mountains, Patroness of yogic ascetism.
Kali's Crone aspect. aka Prisni, Mother of the Dark Season,
Daughter of Heaven. Mother Death.
Ushas - Vedic Goddess of the Dawn.
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Hindu gods and goddesses

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