Hindu Gods

It is believed that there are 330 million gods in the Hindu Dharma. There are as many Hindu gods as there are devotees to suit the feelings, moods and social background of the devotee. However, it is not really the sign of ignorance. The ultimate reality is one, the almighty. The omnipresent God is a universal fact and having different names show the branches of the same tree. You will find each and every branch cropping up from the same tree. Similarly God is one, there can be different forms or physical appearances but the ultimate reality is one. 
In Hindu religion, there are many gods. Here we will discuss some of the popular Hindu gods. 

Brahma, the Creator 

Brahma

Brahma - The Creator
Brahma is considered as the first god of the Hindu Trinity, the other being Vishnu and Shiva. Lord Brahma is recognized as the creator of the Universe. Brahma is regarded as the Supreme Being, the god of gods. Lord Brahma is the originator and the generator of the mankind. Brahma symbolizes the universal mind, as creation is the work of the mind and the intellect. If we consider this, from an individual's point, Brahma represents one's own mind and intellect. As an individual is god gifted with the mind and intellect, then it may be assumed that a person has already attained Brahma. 

This could be the possible reason that worship of Brahma is not so popular among the Hindu people. However, he is worshipped by seekers of knowledge, such as students, teachers, scholars and scientists. 

Lord Brahma - The Image
Hindu God Brahma can be seen as a four-faced, four-armed, bearded deity. He carries a rose and a book in the upper hand; a water pot (Kamandala) in the lower hand and one hand is always there to bestow grace. The four faces represent the holy knowledge of the four Vedas (Riga, Yajur, Sama and Atharva). It symbolizes that Brahma is the foundation of all the knowledge required for the creation of the universe. The four arms represent the four directions and therefore symbolize that Lord Brahma is the omnipresent and the omnipotent. 

The white beard conveys wisdom and the long beard gives the idea that creation is a never-ending process. The crown on the head of Brahma implies that the Lord has the supreme power and authority over the process of creation. Brahma sitting on a lotus represents the creative power of the Supreme Reality. The white color of his clothes symbolizes purity. 

As per the Hindu mythology, a swan is possessed with an exceptional discerning sense, which enables it to distinguish pure milk from a mixture of milk and water. Brahma uses the swan as a vehicle, which is known for its discerning abilities. This conveys the idea that, there is only one Supreme Reality from which the entire universe emanates.

Bhairav

Ganesha Chalisa

Different Names of Ganesha

Legends of Ganesha

There are many stories of Lord Ganesha regarding his origin and various others which tell about the nature and traits of his character. Ganesha is known as the god of wisdom, literature and worldly success. He is known as the eldest son of Lord Shiva and Parvati (Uma), younger brother being Kartikay. Here are some legends associated with lord Ganesha.

The Elephant Head - Story of Ganesha
This story is about Lord Ganesha's birth and how he gets the head of an elephant. Once upon a time, Parvati was going to take the bath and before going, she made a boy out of the dirt of her body ,to guard the entrance of her house. She asked him not to allow anyone inside .After saying this, she went inside to take the bath. After this lord shiva came himself to meet his consort and he was quite thirsty. Ganesha stopped him at the door as he was unable to recognize his father ,Lord Shiva. Lord Ganesha was beheaded by Shiva, who took him as an outsider, when Ganesha was trying to defend his mother's bath.

When Parvati came to know about this, she persuaded Shiva, to restore Ganesha to life. Shiva ordered his servants (Gana) to bring the head of any creature that they come across first. An elephant, the wisest of animals, appeared and became the spontaneous donor in the head transplant of Ganesha. Shiva attached the head of the elephant to the torso of Ganesha. After looking at the child (Ganesha), Parvati asked Shiva that who will consider this god with the face of an elephant.

Understanding Parvati's viewpoint, Shiva blessed the child, Ganesha that he will be the lord of beginning and people will worship him first, before any other God in any kind of undertaking. He ordained that the annual worship of Ganesha, should take place on the fourth day of the bright half of Bhadrapada (August-September).

Who is elder? Ganesha or Kartikay
This is another interesting story of Lord Ganesha.Once Ganesha and Kartikay got into an argument as who was the elder of the two. The matter was told to Lord Shiva for an answer. Lord Shiva asked that whoever would travel around the world and come out first had the right to be the elder of two. Lord Kartikay flew off on his vehicle, the peacock, to take the round of the world. But Ganesha went round his parents and asked for the reward of his success. 

Lord Shiva said: "Beloved and wise -Ganesha! You did not go round the world". Ganesha replied: "No, but I went round my parents. My parents symbolize the entire world.'' The argument was settled in favour of Ganesha and thereafter recognized as the elder of the two brothers. Ganesha got a fruit as reward from his mother Parvati for this.

Ganesha and His Love for Laddoo
Lord Ganesha is very fond of Laddoo (Modaka - a sweet delicacy). Once upon a day of Ganesha Puja, Ganesha went from house to house and accepted the offerings of laddoo. He stuffed himself to the capacity and decided to take a ride on his mouse at night. Along the moonlit road they got to see a large snake and the troubled rat stumbled, with the consequence Ganpati fell down .He hit the ground hard and as a result his stomach burst open. All the laddoos came out but Ganesha again stuffed them into his stomach. He caught the snake and tied it round his belly. 
Moon witnessed the whole event and laughed heartily. Lord Ganesha lost his temper and furiously looked about for something to throw at his tormentor. Getting nothing, he pulled out one of his tusks and hurled it at the moon. He cursed the moon that no one should look at the moon on the day of Ganesha Puja .If anyone would look at it , he will get a bad name ,criticism or ill reputation. If anyone gets to see the moon by chance, he would be free from that bad name or blame, after hearing the story of Lord Krishna's clearing, his personality in respect of the Syamantaka jewel. Thus, Ganesha was happy to proclaim this.

Ganesha Mantra

• Aum Shri Ganeshaya Namah
  "Praise to Lord Ganesha". This is the mantra of prayer, love and adoration. It is chanted to get Ganesha's blessings for the positive starting of a project, work or simply to offer him the praise.
• Aum Gan Ganapatye Namah
  This is Lord Ganesha's mula ("root") mantra .It is also known as his ''beej'' Mantra. This mantra is used for Yoga Sadhana in which we pray to Lord Ganesha and merge ourself with the supreme knowledge and peace. This is a mantra from Ganapati Upanishad. One can always use it before starting any new venture so that success comes without any hassle.
• Aum Vakratundaya Hum
  This is a powerful mantra from Ganesha Purana. When things are not in your favour, or when the minds of the people turn negative, depressed or discouraged, the attention of Ganesha may be drawn by this mantra to straighten their ways. The HUM symbolizes "Delay no more, my Lord, in straightening the paths of the crooked-minded ones." This mantra is used many a times in the Ganesha Purana to reduce the violence of cruel demons. In addition, this mantra could also be used for healing any spinal problem, such as curvature of the spine or curved limbs. Dedicate 1,008 repetitions of this holy word to straighten and heal such deficiencies.
• Aum Kshipra Prasadaya Namah
  Kshipra means immediate. If some danger or negative energy is coming your way and you don't know how to get rid of that danger, with true devotion, practice this mantra for quick blessing and purification of one's aura.
• Aum Shrim Hrim Klim Glaum Gam Ganapataye vara varada sarva janamme vashamanaya svaha 
  There are several beej (seed) mantras in this mantra. Among other things, it says, "Shower Your blessings, O Lord. I offer my ego as an oblation."
• Aum Sumukhaya Namah
  This mantra has a lot of meaning, in simple terms, it means you will be always very beautiful in soul, in spirit, in face, everything. By meditating on this mantra, very pleasing manners and a beauty comes on you. Along with that comes peace, which constantly works in your eyes; and the words you speak are all filled with that power of love.
• Aum Ekadantaya Namah
  Ekadanta refers to one tusk in the elephant face, which means God broke the duality and made you to have a complete one-pointed mind. Whoever has that oneness of mind and single-minded devotion will achieve everything.
• Aum Kapilaya Namah
  Kapila (red) means that you are able to give colour therapy. You are able to create colours around yourself and around others, soak them in that colour and heal them. As per the mantra you create, so will you create the colors. Another meaning is "wish cow," the "cow of plenty." It means that whatever you wish, that comes true. There is a wish-cow inside you. Whatever you wish, especially for curing others, comes true instantly.
• Aum Gajakarnikaya Namah
  The ears of Ganesha, the elephant - god, are constant fanning, which means people can talk a lot, but you are not receiving inside anything other than what is important. It also means that you can sit anywhere and tune this celestial tube (the body) with seven channels (chakras) and all 72,000 nadis, to any loka and be able to hear ancestors, angels, the voice of God or the voice of prophets. That kind of inner ear you will develop through this mantra.
• Aum Lambodaraya Namah
  This means you feel that you are this universe. It means that all the celestial bodies are within you. Like an entire tree is in the seed, the whole universe is in the sound of creation, which is Aum, and that Aum consciousness in you makes you feel that you are the universe. Therefore, if you say, realizing the oneness with the universe, "shanti to the world" every day, then the grace of God will come and there will be world peace, universal peace. It is the universe within Aum and Aum within you.
• Aum Vikataya Namah
  This means realizing this world as a dream or a drama. When you are in that high consciousness, this whole world looks like a dream. All of us have taken a role. We have to play our role in life as wife or husband or children or citizens, all consistent with the role we have taken. When an actor bitten by a sponge cobra that is brought on the stage falls, the entire audience cries; but that boy who has fallen knows it was not a real cobra and he is not dead. Life is a drama --definitely life in this material world, this physical world of ego, is a drama. But inside, like the boy on the stage who is quite happy knowing that he didn't die by the bite of the sponge cobra, like that, the truth never dies in us; it is immortal. So everything else you consider as drama. That consciousness comes to you by knowing this mantra.
• Aum Vighna Nashanaya Namah
  This mantra invokes the Lord Ganesha to remove every hindrance in your life and in your works. By constant meditation on this mantra, all obstacles and blocked energy in your physical and cosmological bodies are released.
• Aum Vinayakaya Namah
  Vinayaka is the name of Ganesha in the golden age. So by realizing this mantra, your life will have a golden age. In your office, in your work, you'll be the boss. Vinayaka means something under control. Vinayaka means the Lord of resolving problems.
• Aum Ganadhyakshaya Namah
  This mantra is very important. Suppose you have a group, a country, neighbours, or any kind of group therapy, group healing or a whole country requiring healing, then you have to bring that entire group to your mind's arena and say this mantra. A group healing takes place by this mantra.
• Aum Bhalachandraya Namah
  In Sanskrit, bhala means the forehead center. Chandra means the crescent moon. Bhalachandra means that chakra from where the nectar drips. That is the secret of all healing. It is to feel yourself as Shiva, identifying yourself with the Truth and feeling constantly that you are carrying the crescent moon, the symbol of growth and nectar of peace.

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