ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ
“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”
As per the Hindu religion, the Supreme Being contains both masculine and feminine traits.
The female part is as important as the male part. One has to consider the feminine aspect of the divine, in order to know the ultimate truth.
It is believed that all goddesses of the Hindu pantheon are special forms of the divine mother- Shakti.
To recognize the feminine aspect, it is necessary to restore wholeness, completeness and universality.
There are many goddesses and local deities in the Hindu mythology.
Here we will discuss some of the popular Hindu goddesses (forms of Shakti).
Goddess Durga ( Mother )
Maa Kali Durga symbolizes the power of the Supreme Being that maintains moral order and righteousness in the universe.
Worship of the goddess Shakti is very popular among the Hindu people.
Durga stands for the unified symbol of all divine forces (Shaktis).
Goddess Lakshmi
Lakshmi is the auspicious goddess of wealth and fortune, whether it is material or spiritual.
The word ”Lakshmi” has been derived from the Sanskrit word Lakshay, meaning “aim” or ”goal”. Goddess Lakshmi suggests the aim of life, which includes all worldly and spiritual success.
Goddess Saraswati
Saraswati Devi is the Goddess of arts, music, knowledge, and wisdom.
Saraswati is considered as the divine consort of Lord Brahma, the Creator of the universe in the Hindu Religion.
Goddess Kali
Kali is one of the many forms of Shakti.
Maha Kaali is the fiercest of all goddesses of Hinduism.
The word Kali has its roots in the Sanskrit word “Kaal” which means time.
And nothing escapes from time.
Goddess Kali is sometimes referred as the goddess of death.
Goddess Parvati
Parvati is a well known goddess in the Hindu mythology.
Goddess Parvati is the divine consort of Lord Shiva, the trinity god.
Parvati is also considered as a representation of Shakti or Durga, but the gentle aspect of that goddess not the fierce one.
Ganga
The River Goddess Ganga / Ganges is considered as the most sacred river of the Hindu Mythology.
River Ganges is very much popular in India and is worshipped as a goddess.
Ganga is the most revered river in the world.
Radha
Goddess Radha is a well-known personality in Hindu Mythology.
She is also known as Srimati Radharani in the northern part of India.
Radha is usually depicted with her paramour Krishna.
Sita
Sita is the consort of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu.
Sita is the one of the most popular goddesses of Indian History.
Devi Sita is regarded as the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, the divine consort of Lord Vishnu.
History Of Hinduism
The origin of the Hindu religion is under dispute to date and many theories about its origin are still being put forward.
The common belief is that the Indus Valley civilization existed near the river Indus around 3200 B.C.-1600 B.C.
They followed a religion that had a close resemblance to Hinduism.
This religion later went through the influence of the Dravidians and the Aryans around 1500 BC.
In the recent times repeatedly, the theory of Aryan invaders is being challenged.
With the introduction of the Vedas around 1000 BC, a loose framework of the religion was formed.
The Vedas were considered as the most important holy books as they were believed to provide divine knowledge.
The Vedas are also considered as the foundation of Hindu philosophy.
Upanishads are a part of the Vedas, which lay emphasis on the metaphysical nature of the universe and soul.
In the epics like, Ramayana, Mahabharata and Manu smriti the essence of the Hindu religion unfolds.
The term Hinduism
The origin of the term Hindu also has historical connotations.
The Aryan race that settled near the river Sindhu.
The Persians pronounced the word Sindhu as Hindu, and named the Aryan’s Hindus.
Thus Hindu is only a mispelt form of Sindhu.
The word Hindu was a geographic rather than a religious term but now it has turned out to be a loaded term as it is associated with a religion.
The origin of Hinduism
Hinduism was not found by any one person, or does not have only one core doctrine.
There is also no definite time when it could be said to have begun.
It does not require its adherents to accept any one idea, and thus is cultural; its Ideologies were developed into a history with the peoples with which it is associated.
Hinduism is also known for an attitude, of accommodating other religious and cultural perspectives into their own.
Thus it has a variety of ideas and practices resulting in what appears as a multiplicity of religions under one umbrella ‘Hinduism’.
Hinduism maybe the only religious tradition that is so diverse in its theoretical and practical expressions that it is like a compilation of religions.
Hinduism lacks any definitive beliefs or ideas.
It is a phenomenon and forms a broad spectrum of beliefs and practices, which are paganism, pantheism and so on.
On the other hand it is very profound, abstract, and full of metaphysical speculations.
Religion and culture are interchangeable terms in Hinduism.
Some expressions like ‘Bhakti’ (devotion)
or ‘Dharma’ (what is right)
and ‘Yoga’ (discipline) are used to depict essential aspects of the religion.
Hinduism later in its belief included idol worship,
Casteism,
Reincarnation,
‘Karma’,
‘Dharma’
and ‘Moksha’.
Some moral ideals in Hinduism include non-violence, truthfulness, friendship, compassion, fortitude, self-control, purity and generosity.
Gods
All about Gods and their significance!
Gods – Understanding The Supreme Power
God is considered as a supreme creator of the universe.
The ancient indian gods are considered as the oldest form of divine source.
According to Hindu belief, every soul is eternal and goes through a cycle of birth and rebirth, with the ultimate goal of reaching moksha or liberation from the cycle of samsara.
Therefore, the gods and goddesses of Hinduism are seen as manifestations of the divine that can help individuals on their spiritual journey towards moksha.
Each God or Goddess is associated with specific qualities, such as love, compassion, selflessness, power, knowledge, and wisdom.
Hindus believe that by worshipping these deities, they can attain the qualities they embody.
For example, honouring the Goddess Durga, associated with strength and courage, can help one develop those qualities in their own life.
The worship of Hindu mythology gods takes many forms, including prayer, offerings, and performing rituals and ceremonies.
These practices are designed to create a connection between the individual and the divine and to invite the blessings and guidance of the gods and goddesses into one’s life.
In addition to their spiritual significance, the Hindu gods and their powers also play an important role in the cultural and social life of Hindus.
Festivals and celebrations dedicated to various gods and goddesses are a vital part of the Hindu calendar, and they bring people together in a spirit of community and devotion.
The Pantheon of Hindu Deities
Lord Brahma,Now that we are familiar with the significance of the divine in our lives, let’s reach into the importance of the main Hindu gods from the Hindu gods list, what they signify and how they are represented.
The Hindu gods and goddesses play a significant role in the lives of Hindus and are worshipped in various ways.
Scroll down to explore some of the most well-known and widely worshipped gods and goddesses from the Hindu trinity, beginning with 3 Hindu gods revered worldwide for being the creator, preservers and destroyers.
the curator of the universe, is also known as the creator Hindu devta.
Brahma is often depicted with four faces and is associated with the creation of the universe.
He is typically not worshipped as widely as other Hindu gods, but he is still an important part of Hindu mythology.
Another important Hindu god is Vishnu, the preserver god.
Vishnu is often depicted with blue skin and four arms associated with preserving the universe.
His divine forms are said to exist in the versions of various gods, including Rama and Krishna.
Shiva is another important Hindu god known as the destroyer and transformer god.
He is often depicted with a third eye, representing his ability to see beyond the physical world.
Shiva is also associated with a dance known as Tandava and is depicted dancing in a circle of flames.
Ganesha is the god of remover of obstacles and new commencement of anything new.
The depiction of Lord Ganesha is shown to be four arms, elephant headed and a tusk.
Weddings and new ventures are complete with Ganesh pujan or Ganesh Sthapana.
Krishna is the god of love, compassion, and joy, known for his role in the epic Mahabharata.
He is often depicted with a flute, and his teachings in the Bhagavad Gita are essential to Hindu philosophy.
Rama is the prince and hero of the epic Ramayana, known for his devotion to dharma and his wife, Sita.
His disciple of truth and dharma are ideals that every devoted Hindu wishes to inculcate within and around themselves.
He is usually represented with a bow and arrow, and his story is integral to Hindu mythology.
Hanuman is one of the main characters in Ramayana, who is devoted to Lord Rama.
He is known for carrying a mountain on his back to help Lord Rama’s brother, Lakshmana.
He is worshipped for his power and dedication.
Durga is the warrior goddess, created to kill demon Mahishasura.
She is worshipped as a symbol of strength and courage and known by different names like Devi, Shakti, Mahishasurvardhani, etc.
Kali is the fierce goddess of death and time, often depicted with a necklace of skulls and a tongue hanging out.
She is worshipped as a symbol of power and transformation.
In addition to these gods and goddesses, many others are worshipped in Hinduism, including Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts, and
Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
The Hindu gods and goddesses play a significant role in Hinduism and are worshipped in various ways.
They are seen as symbols of different aspects of the universe and human experience and revered for their various powers and qualities.
Special Weapons adorned by Gods
Hindu mythology includes numerous gods and goddesses with unique powers and special weapons.
Here are some of the most famous special weapons of Hindu gods and goddesses:
Trishul (Trident) of Lord Shiva: The trishul is a three-pronged spear representing the three aspects of Lord Shiva – creator, preserver, and destroyer.
It is believed to be a symbol of his power to destroy evil.
Sudarshana Chakra of Lord Vishnu: The Sudarshana Chakra is a spinning, disc-like weapon representing Lord Vishnu’s power to control the universe.
It is said to have the ability to destroy evil and protect the righteous.
Gada (Mace) of Lord Hanuman: The gada is a large and powerful weapon shown as a source of strength and therefore worshipped by wrestlers in India.
It is said to have the power to crush any obstacle or enemy.
Sharanga Bow of Lord Vishnu: The Sharanga Bow is another powerful weapon used by Lord Vishnu.
The belief lies that it is so powerful that it can destroy entire worlds.
Chakram (Discus) of Lord Krishna: The Chakram is a circular, disc-like weapon representing Lord Krishna’s power and ability to protect his devotees.
It is said to have the power to destroy any enemy.
Pashupatastra of Lord Shiva: The Pashupatastra is a powerful weapon that can create destruction and can be discharged through eyes, mind or a bow.
It is said to have the power to destroy the entire universe.
Vajra of Lord Indra: The Vajra is a lightning bolt representing Lord Indra’s power over the skies and the elements. It is said to be invincible.
Sword of Goddess Durga: The sword symbolises the power and courage of Goddess Durga, who is often depicted wielding it in battle.
It is believed to consist of such a powerful force that it can destroy evil and protect the righteous.
These are just a few examples of the special weapons of Hindu gods and goddesses.
There are many more in Hindu mythology, each with its unique power and significance.
Who are the top 10 most powerful Hindu gods?
The following is a list of the names of top 10 Hindu gods:
Lord Vishnu
Lord Shiva
Goddess Durga
Lord Ganesha
Lord Hanuman
Goddess Kali
Lord Rama
Lord Krishna
Goddess Saraswati
Lord Brahma
Name the various Hindu gods days of the week.Sunday: Sunday is associated with Lord Surya or the Sun god.
Worshipping Lord Surya on Sundays is believed to bring good health and positivity.
Monday: Monday is associated with Lord Shiva.
It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva on Mondays helps overcome obstacles and troubles.
Tuesday: Tuesday is associated with Lord Hanuman.
Wishing Lord Hanuman on Tuesdays helps overcome fear, anxiety, and negativity.
Wednesday: Wednesday is associated with Lord Ganesha.
Worshipping Lord Ganesha on Wednesdays is believed to bring success, prosperity, and good fortune.
Thursday: Thursday is associated with Lord Vishnu or his avatar Lord Krishna.
Worshipping Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna on Thursdays is believed to bring good luck and happiness.
Friday: Friday is associated with Goddess Lakshmi.
Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on Fridays is believed to bring wealth, prosperity, and good fortune.
Saturday: Saturday is associated with Lord Shani or the planet Saturn.
It is believed that worshipping Lord Shani on Saturdays helps overcome challenges and difficulties in life.
On the Personal God/GoddessSaivism: Personal God and temple Deity is Siva, neither male nor female.
Lords Ganesha and Karttikeya are also worshiped.
Shaktism: Personal Goddess and temple Deity is Shri Devi or Shakti, female, worshiped as Rajarajeshvari,
Parvati,
Lakshmi,
Sarasvati,
Kali,
Amman, etc.
the Divine Mother.
Vaishnavism: Personal God and temple Deity is Vishnu, male.
His incarnations as Rama and Krishna are also worshiped, as well as His divine consort, Radharani.
Smartism: Personal God and temple Deity is Ishvara, male or female, worshiped as Vishnu, Siva, Shakti, Ganesha and Surya or any Deity of devotee’s choice, e.g., Kumara or Krishna.
On the Nature of Shakti
Saivism: Shakti is God Siva’s inseparable power and manifest will, energy or mind.
Shaktism: Shakti is an active, immanent Being, separate from a quiescent and remote Siva.
Vaishnavism: No special importance is given to Shakti.
However, there are parallels wherein the divine consorts are conceived as the inseparable powers of Vishnu and His incarnations: e.g., Krishna’s Radharani and Rama’s Sita.
Smartism: Shakti is a divine form of Ishvara. It is God’s manifesting power.
On the Nature of Personal God
Saivism: God Siva is pure love and compassion, immanent and transcendent, pleased by our purity and sadhana.
Shaktism: The Goddess Shakti is both compassionate and terrifying, pleasing and wrathful, assuaged by sacrifice and submission.
Vaishnavism: God Vishnu is loving and beautiful, the object of man’s devotion, pleased by our service and surrender.
Smartism: Ishvara appears as a human-like Deity according to devotees’ loving worship, which is sometimes considered a rudimentary self-purifying practice.
On the Doctrine of Avatara
Saivism: There are no divine earthly incarnations of the Supreme Being.
Shaktism: The Divine Mother does incarnate in this world.
Vaishnavism: Vishnu has ten or more incarnations.
Smartism: All Deities may assume earthly incarnations.
On the Soul and God
Saivism: God Siva is one with the soul.
The soul must realize this advaitic (monistic) Truth by God Siva’s grace.
Shaktism: The Divine Mother, Shakti, is mediatrix, bestowing advaitic moksha on those who worship Her.
Vaishnavism: God and soul are eternally distinct.
Through Lord Vishnu’s grace, the soul’s destiny is to worship and enjoy God.
Smartism: Ishvara and man are in reality Absolute Brahman.
Within maya, the soul and Ishvara appear as two.
Jnana (wisdom) dispels the illusion.
Spiritual Practice
Saivism: With bhakti as a base, emphasis is placed on sadhana, tapas (austerity) and yoga. Ascetic.
Shaktism: Emphasis is on bhakti and tantra, sometimes occult, practices.
Ascetic-occult.
Vaishnavism: Emphasis is on supreme bhakti or surrender, called prapatti.
Generally devotional and nonascetic.
Smartism: Preparatory sadhanas are bhakti, karma, raja yoga.
The highest path is through knowledge, leading to jnana.
Major ScripturesSaivism: Vedas, Saiva Agamas and Saiva Puranas.
Shaktism: Vedas, Shakta Agamas (Tantras) and Puranas.
Vaishnavism: Vedas, Vaishnava Agamas, Puranas and the Itihasas (Ramayana and Mahabharata, especially the Bhagavad Gita).
Smartism: Vedas, Agamas and classical smriti Puranas, Itihasas, especially the Bhagavad Gita, etc.
Regions of Influence
Saivism: Geographically widespread, strongest in South and North India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Shaktism: Geographically widespread, most prominent in Northeast India, especially Bengal and Assam.
Vaishnavism: Geographically widespread, especially strong throughout India, North and South.
Smartism: Geographically widespread, most prominent in North and South India.
Paths of Attainment
Saivism: The path for Saivites is divided into four progressive stages of belief and practice called charya, kriya, yoga and jnana.
The soul evolves through karma and reincarnation from the instinctive-intellectual sphere into virtuous and moral living, then into temple worship and devotion, followed by internalized worship, or yoga, and its meditative disciplines.
Union with God Siva comes through the grace of the satguru and culminates in the soul’s maturity in the state of jnana, or wisdom.
Saivism values both bhakti and yoga, devotional and contemplative sadhanas, or disciplines.
Shaktism: The spiritual practices in Shaktism are similar to those in Saivism, though there is more emphasis in Saktism on God’s Power as opposed to Being, on mantras and yantras, and on embracing apparent opposites: male-female, absolute-relative, pleasure-pain, cause-effect, mind-body.
Certain sects within Shaktism undertake “left-hand ” tantric rites, consciously using the world of form to transmute and eventually transcend that world.
The “left-hand ” approach is somewhat occult in nature; it is considered a path for the few, not the many.
The “right-hand ” path is more conservative in nature.
Vaishnavism: Most Vaishnavites believe that religion is the performance of bhakti sadhanas, devotional disciplines, and that man can communicate with and receive the grace of the Gods and Goddesses through the darshan (sight) of their icons.
The paths of karma yoga and jnana yoga lead to bhakti yoga.
Among the foremost practices of Vaishnavites is chanting the holy names of the Avataras, Vishnu’s incarnations, especially Rama and Krishna.
Through total self-surrender, prapatti, to Vishnu, to Krishna or to His beloved consort Radharani, liberation from samsara (the cycle of reincarnation) is attained.
Smartism: Smartas, the most eclectic of Hindus, believe that moksha is achieved through jnana yoga alone defined as an intellectual and meditative but non-kundalini-yoga path.
Jnana yoga’s progressive stages are scriptural study (shravana), reflection (manana) and sustained meditation (dhyana).
Guided by a realized guru and avowed to the unreality of the world, the initiate meditates on himself as Brahman, Absolute Reality, to break through the illusion of maya.
Devotees may also choose from three other non-successive paths to cultivate devotion, accrue good karma and purify the mind.
These are bhakti yoga, karma yoga and raja yoga, which certain Smartas teach can also bring enlightenment.
