gods goddesses and avatars

8/3/2019 Gods Goddesses and Avatars

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BrahmaVishnu Saraswati Vaishnavism Rama Krishna

Shiva Lord Nataraj Parvati Kali Durga Shaivism

Dissolution

Devi Shaktism

GaneshaConsort

Trimurti

Brahman Atman Jiva Om

Moksha

Maya Samsara

Kundalini

Chakras

Darshan

Puja


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Gods and Goddesses

andAvatars of

Hinduism


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There can really be asThere can really be as

many Hindu Gods as theremany Hindu Gods as thereare devotees to suit theare devotees to suit themoods, feelings, emotionsmoods, feelings, emotions& social background of the& social background of the

devotees."devotees."

--SriSri RamaKrishnaRamaKrishna

Countless Gods


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Brahman

Brahman refers to the Absolute Reality inHinduism.

All other deities are personifications of

aspects of Brahman. Brahman is eternal without beginning or

end, transcendent, unchanging,

omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, and

without attributes


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Brahman

Take a glass of water. Add some sugar itwill dissolve into the water and you wontbe able to see it or remove it. Now taste

the water and you will taste the sugar inevery drop of the water.

In this analogy the water represents the

world and the sugar represents Brahman,though invisible Brahman is omnipresent(everywhere.)


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Brahman Brahman is the highest conception of God in Hinduism

Brahman is transcendent (beyond time and space, beyondwords), but can roughly be described as Satchitananda - sat:(being): chit ( awareness): ananda (bliss)

Brahman can have no form (above) this Nirguna Brahman

Or Brahman can take a form (as a God or Avatar); this isSaguna Brahman: the noblest reality encountered in the world.


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The many gods of Hinduism represent different aspects of one

and the same ultimate reality, Brahman.

Hinduism views the cosmic activity of the Supreme Being as comprised ofthree tasks: creation, preservation, and dissolution and then recreation.

Three deities (Trimurti) represent these tasks: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Brahma Vishnu Shiva


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Atman Atman is the term used in Hinduism to

describe Brahman within a person.

Before enlightenment the Atman is known

as the jiva.

The Atman is indestructible and after the

death of the body it either achieves

Moksha or is reborn into another body.Rebirth is determined by the law of

samsara and karma.


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Trimurti The three main Gods in Hinduism are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva

They are actually the same reality (Brahman), but representseparate aspects of Brahman, and have separate personalities in

the scriptures and to their respective devotees

The are commonly called the Creator (Brahma), the Preserver(Vishnu), and the Destroyer (Shiva)

Mnemonic: G.O.D. = Generator, Operator, Destroyer

Each God of the Hindu pantheon has a Goddess as His partner whois His equal in every respect

Each God has a animal vehicle`

Each God or Goddess can and does take birth as a human

These beings are called Avatars


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In Hinduism all Gods and Goddesses (and Avatars) are

Manifestations of the formless Brahman

Om is a word,

designating a

cosmic sound or

vibration that is all

pervading.

It is the most

common name of

God.

It is the same as

Brahman.


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BRAHMA SARASWATI

(creator (creativity)

Main Hindu deitiesBRAHMAN

(suptreme spirit)

VISHNU LAKSHMI

(preserver) (good luck & wealth)

SHIVA PARVATI

(destroyer) (mother

figure

MAHA YOGI

AVATARS

RAMA KRISHNA

NATARAJ(Lord of the dance)

DURGA(war)

LINGUM

(fertility symbol)

KALI

(death)

GANESH (good luck)

Son of Shiva & Parvati

10 incarnations

of Lord Vishnu

in human oranimal form

including

Buddha and

Kalki (still to

come)


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There are three major devotional traditions:

Vaishnavism (worship of Vishnu)

Generally vegetarianWorship Vishnu or his avatars Rama and

Krishna.

Oriented towards duty and tradition.

Shaivism (worship of Shiva)Worship focuses on union of opposites,

especially creation and destruction.

Tend to emphasize ascetic practices.

Shaktism (worship of the Goddess (or Devi)

Worship the goddess as ultimate reality.

Not as likely to be vegetarian.


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Note: although Brahma iscalled the `creator`, at times

creation can be ascribed to

the other gods and goddesses

(e.g. Shiva or Devi, thegoddess)


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Everything about theEverything about the

depiction of Hindu Godsdepiction of Hindu Godsand Goddesses has aand Goddesses has a

symbolic meaning.symbolic meaning.


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Everything about the depictionEverything about the depiction

of Hindu Gods and Goddessesof Hindu Gods and Goddessescan be taken eithercan be taken either literallyliterally oror

symbolicallysymbolically andandphilosophically, depending onphilosophically, depending on

the level of the believersthe level of the believersunderstanding.understanding.


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BrahmaBrahma

It is often said that the Hindu pantheon has three gods at itsIt is often said that the Hindu pantheon has three gods at itshead: Brahma, the creator of the universe; Vishnu, thehead: Brahma, the creator of the universe; Vishnu, thepreserver of life; and Shiva, the destroyer of ignorance.preserver of life; and Shiva, the destroyer of ignorance.

Brahma is a representation of the impersonalBrahma is a representation of the impersonal brahmanbrahman in ain ahuman form, usually with four faces facing the cardinalhuman form, usually with four faces facing the cardinal

directions and four armsdirections and four arms


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Brahma (Creator) and Saraswati, his Consort/wife.

Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge and speech.

Her Vehicle is the swan.


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Goddess Saraswatisymbolizes Divine Knowledge

Saraswati

means the

one who

gives the

knowledge

of ones

own Self

and

Universe.


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Vishnu (maintainer of the universe)Consort: Lakshmi (good fortune and prosperity)

Vehicle: Garudaeagle/human hybrid


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VishnuVishnupreserves the working order of thepreserves the working order of the

universeuniverse

Lord Vishnu the PreserverLord Vishnu the Preserver

"Only the unlearned deem"Only the unlearned deemmyself (Vishnu) and Shivamyself (Vishnu) and Shiva

to be distinct; he ,I, andto be distinct; he ,I, andBrahma are one, assumingBrahma are one, assumingdifferent names for thedifferent names for thecreation, reservation andcreation, reservation anddestruction of thedestruction of theuniverse.universe. We, as the triuneWe, as the triuneSelf, pervade all creatures;Self, pervade all creatures;the wise therefore regardthe wise therefore regardall others as themselves."all others as themselves."

~~ Vishnu explains the Nature of the TrinityVishnu explains the Nature of the Trinity(trimurti)~(trimurti)~


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Vishnu appears in many avatars (traditionally ten, the

last, who has not yet appeared, is Kalki, who will come

when he is most needed).

The two most important avatars of Vishnu are Rama

and Krishna.

Krishna (right) and Arjuna, his disciple, devotee and friend (left).

Gods are traditionally depicted as blue.


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Shiva

The Great God of yogisand yogic practice

Often represented asKing of Dance

Often represented in

meditation in theHimalayas


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ShivaShivaShiva destroys the world at the end of time. He alsoShiva destroys the world at the end of time. He also

destroys ignorance by granting enlightenment.destroys ignorance by granting enlightenment.

Lord Shiva the DestroyerLord Shiva the Destroyer


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Shiva destroys the world at the end of time. (It returns

to an unmanifest form).

The image ofShiva as the Cosmic Danceris veryphilosophically complex.

In part, it is seen as the image of Shivas rhythmic play

which is the source of all movement within the universe.This is represented by the circular or elliptical frame

surrounding the Lord.

Secondly, the purpose of his dance/play is to release thesouls of all men from the snare of `maya` or cosmic

illusion .


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Shiva (in the guise of the destroyer) has Kali as his

consort. Kali destroys demons, i.e. the (selfish) human

ego and its negativities. This causes enlightenment.

Shiva the Cosmic Dancer Kali


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Shiva as Lord Nataraja, the Divine Dancer, in

Spiritual Bliss.

Dwarf - demon offorgetfulness

Snake - Kundaliniyogic energy

Drum -pranaenergy

Fire - apanaenergy

Two hands in themiddle - blessingof fearlessness

Head Ornaments- Sun, moon andfire

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Shiva Nataraja, the

Lord of the Dance.

The third eye on the

forehead of the Lord is a

symbol of his omniscience.

The cobra wrapped around

his neck represents the

Kundalini, a divine energy

present, but asleep, in

every living being at the

base of the spinal cord.

Through spritual practices

the sleeping kundalini

awakens, and as it moves

up the spine, it awakens

spiritual centres along the

spine, bringing various

spiritual experiences and

powers. When it reaches

the top of the head, one

achieves enlightenment..28


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THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SHIVAS DANCE

First, it is an image of his rhythmic play which is the source of all movement within the

universe. This is represented by the circular or elliptical frame surrounding the Lord.

Secondly, the purpose of his dance is to release the souls of all men from the snare of

illusion.

Lastly, the place of the dance is actually within the heart.

Nataraj is a visual interpretation of Brahman. It is the representation of reality at the time

of cosmic destruction. We being life forms, cosmic destruction would mean the

disappearance of all life. The half moon shown in the head of Nataraj is a symbol only.

The fall of the moon would result in cosmic destruction.


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Kundalini theGoddess within


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Kundalini

We all have a divine energy within us called the

Kundalini. The Kundalini, usually referred to

either as a goddess or a serpent which s inactive

in most people until awakened through spiritualpractices.


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Kundalini `sleeps`at the baseof the spine. But when

awakened, she rises throughthe `chakras`, energy centres in

the spinal cord up to the brain

bringing about enlightenment..


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Chakras

There are seven

chakras along the

spine. When these

energy centres are

awakened the

spiritual practitioner

achieves variouspsychic powers.

Traditional Indian painting


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Chakras are energy centres in

the body that the awakenedkundalini energy rises through.


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Contemporary Paintings of the

Chakra system


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Chakras

Chakras are energy

centres located along

the spine through which

the awakenedkundalini energy rises.

There are seven

chakras, each, when

awakened, confers

special powers on the

yogi.


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Devi (the goddess) is sometimes worshipped as the

supreme manifestation of Brahman. All other gods and

goddesses would then be considered emanations of her.Devi is the sanskrit word for Goddess. Sheis the female counterpart of each God

without whom the , which represents

consciousness or discrimination, remains

impotent and void. Goddess worship is an

integral part of Hinduism.Devi

is,quintessentially, the core form of every

other Hindu Goddess.

Devi or the divine feminine is an equal

conterpart to the divine masculine. She,

manifests herself as her own Trinity.

Saraswati + Brahma

Lahksmi + Vishnu

Parvati + Shiva

Each of these forms has many other forms.


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FeminineFeminine TheologyTheology --

A Gift of Hindus to the World Hinduism is the ONLY major religion that worships God also as

a woman. All other major faiths see God as a Fatherly figureonly.

Even in Male oriented Hindud traditions, Devi plays animportant role.

In Hindu Dharma, Wisdom/Knowledge, Prosperity, Power etc.,represented symbolically by feminine Hindu deities


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Parvati, consort and equal of

Shiva


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ArdhanaariishvaraArdhanaariishvaraShivaas Half-Woman

Since God is actually Brahman, he isneither male or female. Hindus representthis in many ways.

In the Shaiva tradition, God often

represented as a half woman In the Vaishnava tradition, Vishnu often

incarnates as a woman to preserve andprotect Dharma (Mohini avatar)

When God is worshipped as parent,mother takes precedence over father

aspect. Both Women and Men are manifestations of

God (contrast: According to the Abrahamicfaiths, man was created in the image of God,and women from that mans extra rib!)


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Durga

another `demon`slaying form ofDevi


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Shakti, the Powerful Devi, Killer of

Mahishaasura


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Ganesha

(son of Shiva and Parvati)The Gods can have children.


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Ganesha

the Lord of success anddestroyer of evils andobstacles

worshipped as the god ofeducation, knowledge,wisdom and wealth

one of the five primeHindu deities


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Everything about the Gods is SymbolicEverything about the Gods is Symbolic


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Worship


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Hindus worship principally through Darshan, seeing an

image of the divinity and receiving its blessing and grace.

Shrines can be anywhere, in great temples, by the road, but

especially in the home.

Puja is the act of ritual worship, in which the god is offered

fruit, flowers, incense, water, honey or cloth in a special orderto symbolize an offering of the self to the god/goddess.

In some cases deities are led in procession through the

streets (at festivals, etc.).

Sometimes the worshipper will take a pilgrimage to a sacred

place, the most well-known being Benares, on the Ganges

River.


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A Hindu Priest performing a puja

to the Goddess Kali.


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The two main areas where

puja is offered is in the templeor in the home.

The home is the main centreof worship.


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Most Hindu homes have a puja room, or

at least a corner of the home where they

can do a daily puja.


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Kali temple

Kolkata, India


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Hindu temple interior,

Singapore


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Ancient Shiva temple at Rameswaram,inside

walkway


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Hindu temple, Toronto


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Key TermsAvatar

Brahma

Vishnu Saraswati Vaishnavism Rama Krishna

Shiva Lord Nataraj Parvati Kali Durga Shaivism Dissolution

Devi Shaktism

Ganesha

Consort

TrimurtiBrahman Atman Jiva Om

Moksha

Maya Samsara

Kundalini

Chakras

Darshan

Puja

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