Hindu Gods
• But has several Gods to represent that God is in all life forms
• Hinduism is one of the oldest religions
• It is also very Symbolic.
The Hindu Trinity. . .
• Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
• How to remember it all…
• G.O.D.=
Generator (Brahma) , Operator (Vishnu),
Shiva (Destroyer)
Brahma
• The mystical creator, supreme
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presence, God.
Vishnu and Shiva are different
representations of Brahma.
Facing Four directions
Holds lotus, Vedas, holy water,
prayer beads
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Shiva
• the Hindu god that destroys the
universe.
• the source of good and evil.
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Shiva
• Halo of fire (birth and
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death)
Dancing on the
demon of ignorance
Flame of destruction,
purification, renewal
Hands in refuge,
blessing
Snakes around neck
Vishnu
• preserve the universe and people.
• balances good and evil powers
• helps people through 10 Avatars or
earthly forms
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The 10 Avatars of Vishnu
Matsya (Fish)
• As a giant fish, he
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warned of a great
flood
A sage and the Vedas
were rescued
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Kurma (Tortoise)
• Retrieved the gods’
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elixir of immortality
It was lost in the
ocean depths
Carries and stabilizes
the world on his back
Varah (Boar)
• Rescued the earth
from the ocean with
his tusks
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Narasiha (Man-Lion)
• Destroyed
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Hiranyakasipu
This demon could not
be destroyed by man
or animal alone
Vamana (The Dwarf)
• First human avatar
• Used to trick an evil
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ruler Bali into giving
him all he could cover
in 3 steps
He turned himself into
a giant and covered
the universe
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Parashurama (Rama with Axe)
• Kshatriyas were in
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power and ruling
corruptly
He helped restore
Brahmins to power
Krishna (hero)
• Most important avatar
• Powerful and
charming
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Rama (Prince)
• Usually pictured with
Lakshman, Sita,
Hanuman and
sometimes Ganesha
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Buddha (sometimes Balaram)
• Siddhartha Gautama,
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the prince
Middle Path
Noble Truths
Eightfold Path
Kalki
• Yet to come
• White horse, flaming
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sword
He comes to destroy
the wicked and
restart a new creation
Like. . . .?
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Ganesha
• Vehicle is a mouse
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(fast-moving)
Rope to carry people
to truth
Axe to cut
attachments
Dessert to reward
spirituality
Palm extends to bless
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Symbolism in Hinduism
Shakti (Mother Goddess)
• Active feminine power
• Mother goddess
• All of the trinity have
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a female partner:
Sarasvati (Brahma)
• Speech, wisdom,
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learning
Rides on a swan or
goose
Scriptures, lotus,
plays music
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Parvati (Shiva)
• Durga - goddess beyond
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reach
Kali-goddess of
destruction
Durga rides a lion
Kali rides the corpse of a
demon
Happy married life
(Ganesha and Lakshmi)
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Lakshmi (Vishnu)
• Goddess of wealth
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and prosperity
Daughter of Shiva
and Parvati
Divali
Adored by Ganesha
Sits on a lotus
Palms always
extented to bless
Temples and Shrines
Home Shrines
Home Shrine
Objects of Puja
Bell
Diva Lamp
Incense stick and holder
Water Cup and Spoon
Kum Kum Powder
Prasad
Shrine at our home