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India – Hindu Gods
By Katherine Snow
Hindu Gods
Brahman ~ OM
Brahma
Saraswati
Shiva
Durga
Lakshmi
Vishnu
Buddha
Krishna
Rama
Brahman ~ OM
The Supreme, the all
powerful, indescribable,
inexhaustible, omniscient,
original, first, eternal
Has no beginning, has no
end.
Is omnipresent, in every
living thing, all other
gods.
Is the big guy, all other
Gods are part of him.
Brahma ~ The Creator
One of the Trinity
Source of intelligence and
creativity
Created the material world.
Born from an egg.
Has 4 arms and faces.
Rides a swan.
A.K.A. Prajapati, dhata (one
who gives) & Vidhata
(Supreme)
Saraswati
Goddess of knowledge & the
arts
Female form, Wife of Brahma
Rules the intellectual and
creative realm
Protects libraries and schools.
Wears a white sari & no
jewelry.
Rides a swan
Often shown holding a book &
a flute in 2 of her 4 arms
Vishnu ~ The Protector
Hindu God
Cares for the welfare of all
humans.
Protects against disaster.
Gives guidance.
Creates order in the universe.
Kind, good & moral
Has 4 arms.
One of the Trinity
Has 10 incarnations or avatars.
Shiva ~ The Destroyer
Hindu god
Destroys so new can be
created.
Not concerned with
humans or well-being.
Represents Ego and
Ignorance.
Has 4 arms.
One of the Trinity
Durga
Female form, wife of Shiva
Two fierce, very powerful forms:
Durga (goddess beyond reach) &
Kali (goddess of destruction).
Slayer of Demons of Ignorance
Combats Demons of Disorder.
A.K.A. Parvati, Lalitha
Rides a lion.
Has 8 arms.
Mother of Ganesha and
Kartikeya
Adored by married women for a
happy married life to Shiva
Lakshmi
Hindu goddess of
prosperity & wealth
Loves flowers.
Consort of Shiva.
Symbolizes good
fortune.
Deity honored at
festival of Divali.
Has 4 arms.
10 Avatars
When there is disorder in
the universe, Vishnu either
battles with the forces of
chaos, or he sends one of
his Avatars (or
incarnations) to save the
world. It is believed that
Vishnu has ten Avatars,
incarnations, the most
popular being Rama and
Krishna.
1. The fish Matsya
2. The turtle Kurma
3. The boar Varaha
4. The man-lion Narasimha
5. The dwarf Vamana
6. The warrior-priest
Parashurama
7. The prince Rama
8. The cowherd Krishna
9. The sage Buddha-Mayamoha
10. The horseman Kalki
Prince Rama ~ 7th Avatar of Vishnu.
One of the most loved deities
in India.
Came to the world to help
protect humankind & to kill
the demon king, Ravana.
Hindu’s want their sons to
grow up to be like Rama.
Often accompanied by
Hanuman.
Hanuman ~ the Monkey King
Son of Vayu, the Hindu god of
wind
Prince Rama’s constant
companion.
The ultimate hero
Symbolizes loyalty & devotion.
Represents the figure of the
ideal being, humble yet brave.
His physical prowess, mental
discipline & spiritual purity
make him extremely popular.
Krishna ~ 8th avatar of Vishnu
Known for his bravery in
destroying evil powers.
Killed dragons, monsters, his
uncle, the tyrannical King Kamsa.
Plays the flute (murali) spreading
the melody of love to his people.
Shown with Radha, a cow herder,
who loved him. They symbolize
the eternal love between people
and god.
Radha symbolizes the human soul
longing for union with the divine.
Had a pet cow.
Buddha ~ 9th Avatar of Vishnu
1.
2.
3.
4.
Vishnu assumed this incarnation to
end to the Brahmins’ arrogance and
oppression & to purify Hinduism from
overwhelming rituals.
Buddha, taught that every man could
deliver himself from the wheel of
rebirth through a correct attitude.
Buddhism’s 4 Noble Truths:
Suffering is universal,
It is caused by desire and yearning
Suffering can be prevented and
overcome.
Eradication of desires can lead to
removal of suffering.