This document provides information about several Hindu deities: Shiva is the destroyer who represents destruction in a positive way and carries a trident and snake; Brahma is the creator with four heads and faces and arms and created Manu; Vishnu is the preserver who has manifested in 10 avatars with a human body; Kali is the dark mother goddess of destruction who wears a necklace of skulls; Ganesha is known as the elephant-headed god who is the lord of good fortune and success.

1. P O L Y T H E I S M

2. POLYTHEISM
From the Greek “polus” means many and
“theos” or God. Furthermore, these polytheistic
beliefs remain a vital part especially for Hinduism.

3. POLYTHEISTIC
Definition:
“Believe in or worship of more than one God.”

4. HINDUISM
Many Hindus believe in many deities

5. SHIVA
• Shiva is the Destroyer or the “God of
Destruction”
- Infertile women will pray to him in the
hopes of bearing children.
• Even though he represents destruction,
Shiva is viewed as a positive force
• Weapon: red trident, seated upon a tiger
skin, garlanded with a snake

6. BRAHMA
• “The Creator”
• Brahma is the Hindu God of Creation
• Brahma is traditionally depicted with four
heads and four faces and four arms.
• Father of Manu
• Is traditionally depicted with four heads,
four faces, and four arms...

7. VISHNU
• Vishnu is the Preserver
– He manifested Himself as a living
being in ten avatars.
• Human body, color of the clouds and four
arms.

8. KALI
• “The Dark Mother”
• Kali is the kick-ass goddess of destruction
• Killer of human ego
• Kali wears a necklace made from men's skulls
• Characterized as blue and black, partially or
completely naked, with a long lolling tongue,
multiple arms, a skirt or girdle of decapitated
heads and head in one of her hands

9. GANESHA
• Elephant Headed God
• Ganesha is one of the most well-known
and venerated representations of God
• The Lord of Good Fortune
– Lord of success and destroyer of evils
and obstacles