Know about Indian Gods ARYAN GODS BRAHMA VISHNU SHIVA RAMA KRISHNA GANESHA KARTIK HANUMAN Know about Indian Goddesses DURGA LAKSHMI SARASWATI PARVATI

The distant echoes of aboriginal devotion and the clamorous street worship of today, assert the idea of a god who has always lived in the mind of India. The early Hindus accepted the religions and rituals of the original inhabitants of India. Primitive spirits, godlings and animal totems of the tribal people of India, and the early Aryans worship of the elements were gathered into the fold of Hinduism. Initially revealed in the primal spiritual symbol Om, god appeared as an infinite pantheon of deities. The notion of god grew from a divine abstract into infinite manifestations. Each idol, avatar, and incarnation reflecting a divine aspect of god. Gods are heavenly beings who can descend to earth as avatars and limitless incarnations. As deities for every village and idols for individual families, each great god answers to a thousand names. Collectively this pantheon portrays the Hindu conception of the supreme being expressed as Om'. This mystic syllable encompasses all that is sacred in Hinduism. The thread of eternity, 'Om' carries reverberations of Hindu metaphysical thought and spiritual energy. Om is an evocation of the universal soul - The Brahman. The Upanishads (Hindu philosophical texts composed between 600 to 200 BC), explain the universe as creation of the Brahman. Every form of life is a revelation of the Brahman. Creator of life, the Brahman is our sole cosmic inspiration to which we return once our individual life ceases. The Brahman was known as Nirguna, without form, neither male nor female. Sages mediated on Om and sensed the presence of the Brahman in the world around them. Ordinary people wanting to express themselves to the creator were lost, the Brahman was abstract and intangible. They needed a semblance of The Brahman to whom they could offer their prayers Gradually the formless Nirguna Brahman evolved into Saguna Brahman(the Great God). The transformation bestowed a gender, The Brahman appeared as a male trinity, a three faced God called Trimurti. The Trimurti has a human form, one body with three heads that express the cycle of life. Trimurti epitomises birth, life and death. As Brahma he takes over the creation of the Universe. Vishnu maintains dharma (righteousness) and order. Shiva holds the power to destroy - Mahayogi (The great meditative ascetic) also the God of fertility and sexuality. Even the Trimurti evolved as each of the gods found celestial consorts (goddesses in their own right). Brahmas consort is Saraswati, the goddess of learning. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth appeared from the ocean and married Vishnu. Parvati danced before Shiva and broke his meditation, an entranced Shiva married Parvati and their children Kartikeya and Ganesha joined the heavenly family. Gradually god grew from a primordial Om into a infinite pantheon of gods, worshipped devoutly by infinite believers.

ARYAN GODS Religion and worship dawned in India with the birth of man. Reverence for the divine is revealed in the fragments of early history. People of the Indus Valley Civilisation (7,000 to 1,600 BC), prayed to a Mother Goddess. Ritual and religion played a large part in their daily life. The famous Mohenjodaro statue of the Priest King affirms the primal power conferred on a religious leader. Seals engraved with inscriptions of animals avow the ancient veneration of the cow. Fire and trees were also worshipped. While their civilisation flourished, the signs of belief were expressed in daily living, until the elements changed their fortunes. The rain that had once graced their grain, shunned their land. The earth shook. A massive earthquake changed the course of the river, Saraswati. Eluded by water the people migrated east when prosperous trade shrank and robbed them of their riches. About this time, a people of Central Asia, the Aryans invaded India (about 3,000 BC). They were confronted by the original inhabitants of India, the Dravidas and the Nagas. The Dravidas and Nagas were defeated when they were besieged by wave upon wave of Aryan invasion. They became a colonised people and the Aryans settled in the plains of Northern India. The Aryan religion was primitive and consisted of the worship of the powers of nature. The Vedas, a collection of hymns were composed in pre-classical Sanskrit during the second millennium BC. These Vedic hymns created the first stage of Hindu mythology as we know it. The original Veda is the Rig Veda. The Yajur-Veda, Sama-Veda, and Atharva-Veda, were composed later. The hymns addressed the elements- Surya (the Sun), Agni (fire), Indra (thunder), Vayu (the Wind) and Varuna (Ocean). The elements were the early gods, of whom Surya, the Sun -God, is the most important. He is the son of Aditi (the Sky Goddess) and Dyaus (the God of light in the sky). His radiance energy which sustained the day gave him his other name Din-Kara (day-maker). In the Vedas Surya is depicted as a handsome golden youth (like Apollo), who rides a chariot drawn by seven red mares, each named for a day of the week. His twin sons, the Ashvins often precede him in their golden chariot. His capital is Vivasvati, the Sun City. The swastika, is the sign of Surya, a symbol of his generosity. The direction of the swastika indicates the four cardinal directions in which sticks were placed for Vedic sacrificial fires Agni (the Fire God) was worshipped with great devotion. His seven arms span the seven continents. He is portrayed with an extended stomach representing his ability to devour. His belly is also a reminder of the time when Agni consumed the magnificent forests of India to bring land under the plough. He is coloured red and rides a ram. His tongue is a flame that licks up sacrificial ghee (butter). Sacrifice was a central concept to the Aryan religion and fire played an important role. Present in every dwelling of the rich or the poor, Agni was the sakshin (witness) of the holy trinity of rituals, sacrifice, marriage and the funereal rites. During a Vedic wedding ceremony the bride and groom walk around the fire seven times to sanctify their marriage, for Agni is considered witness and representative of all gods. Indra (God of the sky). Rainmaker, bearer of thunder and conductor of lightning. Indra was the creator of storms with his Vajra (thunderbolt). His powers liken him to Zeus-Jupiter. Lord of the skies, Indra has a white elephant called Airavat. He rides in a golden chariot drawn by horses whose flying manes imply the speed with which they draw him. Indras weapons are the Vajra, bow (the rainbow), net, and a hook. As Weather-God and sustainer of life he battles against the God of Drought and Death. Hindus aspire to live in Swarga (heaven) with Indra after death, for despite his dazzling weapons Indra is a peaceful God, who offers refuge to all who follow the path of Dharma (righteousness). Vayu is the god of the wind like the Greek God Aiolos. He is the father of the monkey god Hanuman and of the Pandava Prince Bhima. Flighty and swift he often carried Indra through the skies. His mount is a deer and he carries a wheel in his hand as a symbol for speed. Vayu is revered for he signifies a vital sign of life - breath. Vayu is also called Pavan, one who enlivens prakriti (nature). As Pavan, he is the bearer of life dispersing seeds. He scatters pollen to bring flowers to bloom and clouds the air with floral perfumes. Whimsical by nature, he is a god of violent character. After a quarrel with Indra who lived on Mount Meru, Vayu broke off the top of Mount Meru and hurled it in the ocean. The peak surfaced at the Southern tip of India and is now said to be Sri Lanka. Varuna is the God of the oceans and is identified with Poseidon. He is the element vari (water).His chariot is drawn by the fluid strength of ocean waves. Varuna was the earlier rainmaker, until Indra took over his function. Under the oceans Varuna lives in an underwater palace called Pushpagiri (mountain of flowers). His mount is a fish called Makara. In the oldest hymns he was described as the creator. He fixed the orbit for planets and the directions of the winds and the flight of the birds. The Vedic Gods were worshipped with prayer and sacrifice. Their very conception was Aryan, most of the Gods drove chariots drawn by horses. The Aryans had introduced the horse to India. The highest sacrifice was the Ashvamedha (the Horse Sacrifice). When a king had no male heir, he would consign his finest stallion to the flames. His wives would then spent the night close to the smouldering remains of the carcass. It was believed that the spirit of the animal would make the queens fertile. The Aryans also believed that a hundred such Ashvamedhas would make the king, emperor of the world.

BRAHMA Brahma is the creator of the universe who was born from Hiranyagarbha (the golden nucleus). When he took form, Brahma placed the Hiranyagarbha back in the waters and inspired the creation of the universe. Every living being in the universe originates from him and is an aspect of Brahma. While Brahma expresses himself in the abundant forms of life in the natural world, he is rarely seen himself. Understood as a divine abstract, Brahma seldom appears in places of worship. A day in the life of Brahma is a kalpa, which encompasses a span of evolution. Each kalpa measures 4 billion human years. As Prajapati (Creator), while he is awake the world forms, while he sleeps all shrinks to a dormant nucleus. When Brahma awakes a new universe begins. At the end of the first kalpa, there was a great deluge, (also recorded in the Bible). At the dawn of this age, god appeared as Om, Brahma prayed to him for the knowledge to create the universe. Late Vedic literature describes Brahma as creator of Soma and Surya (the Sun and the Moon), he gives them their place in the sky. He brings Agni (fire) into being and sets Vayu (the wind) free to roam the world and Varuna (water) springs to life on earth. Brahmas consort is Saraswati (The goddesses of learning and music). When Saraswati and Brahma embrace they create the world. In art and mythology we see Brahma as a four headed human form. His heads face the four directions of the universe. The heads also symbolise the four Vedas (books of sacred hymns). Brahma holds the Vedas, a kalamandulu (a jug of water) and a string of meditative beads in his hands. The lotus flower on which he is seated represents the earth. He travels on a chariot drawn by seven swans who represent the seven lokas (continents). He is also seen riding a single swan (Hansa).

VISHNU Vishnu, preserver of human life is one of the three gods of the Trimurti. He is a generous God and known as being Sattvaguna (kind and merciful). Vishnu is the only God of the Trimurti who is reborn whenever there is a crisis on earth. If Dharma (righteousness) is disturbed, Vishnu descends to earth as an avatar (a human form) to fight the forces of evil. The Puranas list the Dasavatars, ten avatars, Vishnu took on to sustain the cosmos. Seen in order, they represent the evolution of mankind from the fish stage to Purusha (man). These avatars were Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (boar ), Nara-simha (man-lion), Vamana (dwarf), Parashurama (a powerful warrior), Rama, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki (white horse). A romantic aspect of the myths, is that whenever Vishnu descends to earth he marries Lakshmi (his Goddess wife). They are destined to marry on earth as in heaven. When Vishnu is Rama, Lakshmi is born as Sita. As Krishna he marries her as Rukmini. Matsya (Fish) The story of the fish avatar, is Hindu, but the likeness to Noah is uncanny. A great flood threatened to submerge Manu (a patriarch who once ruled the earth). Manu asked a for a bowl of water which he needed for his religious rites. In the bowl was a fish who told Manu that if he looked after him, Manu would be saved from the flood. Manu agreed and took the fish to the ocean. In the ocean the Matsya grew to whale-like proportions. Taught by Matysa how to build a ship Manu could sail during the flood. While the deluge ripped the land apart and treacherous waves rose from the ocean, Manu was safe. Matsya was his tether who towed the ark to safety. When they reached the shores they found a dead and barren land ravaged by the storm . Manu found the cargo contained the seeds for every form of life, from which he could sow the world. Vishnu as Matysa supported Brahma who renewed the world together. After the deluge, many cosmic treasures sank deep into the ocean. The Asuras (demons) were in race against the Devas (minor gods) to churn the oceans for amrit (the nectar of immortality). Vishnu appeared as Kurma (the tortoise) who sided with the Devas. Together, they decided they would create a churn for obtaining the amrit. The serpent Vasuki was threaded around Mount Mandara to create a churn. Kurma dived to the floor of the ocean and balanced Mount Mandara on his back. In the grip of Kurmas cosmic force, Mount Mandara could not sink into the ocean bed. The Gods churned, and the nectar of immortality came to their hands. As they continued to churn, fourteen treasures appeared. For Kurma the most precious was Lakshmi, the Goddess of beauty and good fortune who would be his wife. When the demon, Hiranyaksha dragged Bhoomi Devi (Mother Earth) underwater, Vishnu took the form of Varaha (a wild boar). After a fierce battle he overpowered the demon and lifted Bhoomi Devi from the waters. He pushed with his snout and the land puckered forming the Himalayan Mountains. He dragged more land from the sea and shaped the Indian subcontinent. During the satayuga (first epoch) a tyrannical Daitya (demon) tormented the world. No god could overcome him and with each battle he won, the Daityas pride grew. Crazed by his invincibility he shot an arrow at a pillar to defy Vishnu. Vishnu burst out as Narasimha (man-lion) and tore Daitya to shreds. Later Bali, the King of the Daityas had become ruler of the world. He had wisely worshipped Vishnu who had granted him a special boon. Protected by this boon Bali became a cause for celestial concern. When all the other Gods were overcome they pleaded to Vishnu for help. Vishnu took the form of Vamana (a dwarf), and was born as the stunted child of Kasyapa and Aditi. He went as Vamana to a yagna (sacrifice) being performed by Bali. Bali was offering sweets to all those present at the yagna.. Vamana held out his hands and said he was a poor peasant. He asked for as much land as he (Vamana) could cover in three steps. Bali took a look at the dwarf peasant and granted him this boon. Vamana expanded to a cosmic size. His first step covered the earth, the second reached heaven. Vamanas third step would have reached the lower world but Bali bowed before Vamana realising he had to be Vishnu. Pleased by Balis humility, Vishnu spared him and gave Bali a kingdom of his own in the netherworld. In the Treta epoch, (the age of the sacred fires) the warrior class were becoming dominant. Their weaponry made them aggressive. They were subjugating ordinary people. The Gods wanted power to revert to the priests. Vishnu appeared as Parashurama, and took away the powers of the warriors returned it to the scholars. As Rama, Vishnu came on earth to slay the demon Ravana. A legendary man, his compassionate nature and his belief in duty elevated him as Maryada Purusha, ideal man. In his eighth Avatar, Vishnu was Krishna the greatest teacher whose words form a priceless Hindu scripture, The Bhagwad Gita or the guide to life. As the Buddha, Vishnu is a great religious teacher of India. He revealed the secrets of moksha and the path to Nirvana. Vishnus final avatar will be as Kalki (white horse). At the end of the present age (Kal-Yuga) he will come back riding a white horse. Predictions say Kalki will brandishing a flaming sword and destroy last demons on earth. In his cosmic form Vishnu is seen reclining on a many headed serpent called Ananta and the oceans lie subdued under him. He holds a chakra (discus) in a hand with which he maintains order in the universe. The shankha or conch was retrieved by him during the churning of the oceans, and its deep humming sound is an evocation of the sea. He holds a lotus for peace and a gada (mace) a controlling weapon. Garuda the eagle is his celestial vehicle. As god and in each of his avatars Vishnu plays the role of the preserver making the earth a safe heaven for his believers.

SHIVA Shiva is known as the destroyer in the Trimurti. He is the husband of Parvati and their children are Kartikeya and Ganesha. Shivas appearance is quite awesome. He wears a snake Vasuki around his neck. He is also known as Neelkanth (blue-throated), for he holds Vasukis poison in his throat. The legend dates back to the time when the gods churned the oceans. Vasukis poison threatened the world. Only Shiva could take the poison in his mouth. He held it in his throat forever and earned his name Neelkanth. Also known as Pashupati, Lord of the animals he sits on a tiger skin subduing aggression. He holds a damru (a small drum) a symbol of creative activity. One hand is raised in the abhaya-mudra, for he is the benevolent force of destruction. He wears a pair of unmatched earrings that symbolise his being Ardhnarishwara (half man and half woman). One earring is a Kundala, worn by men and the other a Tatanka worn by women. Shiva unites the sexes in his being. The love of Shiva and Parvati (his wife) fused together, they become one, the single creators. Historically, Shiva reveals himself in secular as well as religious texts. A Dravidian king he married Sati a daughter of an Aryan king. (Sculptures from The Indus Valley Civilisation depict Shiva). Satis father, Daksha opposed their union. After the wedding, at a yagna (sacrifice), being performed by Daksha. Shiva was ignored by his father in law who found him uncivilised. Sati couldnt bear this humiliation of her husband, jumped into the sacrificial fire. When Shiva came to collect her ashes he could only express his deep pain and grief through a violent dance called the Tandav. He terrified all creation as he danced around the earth seven times. When nothing would pacify Shiva the gods feared his sorrow could destroy the earth. They decided to revive Sati and she was born as Parvati (daughter of the mountains). Meanwhile, Shiva had renounced the world and gone to Mount Kailash where he had began a hard penance. When Parvati reached Mount Kailash, Shiva was so involved in his meditation that he was immune to Parvatis presence. Parvati did all she could to entice Shiva but his meditation was powerful. Finally she asked Madan/Kama (the god of love) for help. Kama told her to dance in front of Shiva. When Parvati danced, Madan shot an arrow laced with flowers at Shiva, whose penance broke. When Shiva opened his eyes his first sight was Parvati dancing before him. Shiva fell in love with Parvati and became her loving husband. Parvati became his shakti (creative force). In Mount Kailash their ardour was intense, The Gods worried about the child who would be born from this union. Shivas seed dropped on the banks of the Ganga (the river which flows through his matted hair). This lingam is worshipped all over India. Their first child was Kartikeya or Subramanya. Kartikeya would fight the demon Taraka rescue the world and then return to Parvati and Shiva. The birth of Parvatis second child was far more prosaic, Parvati wanted to bathe in privacy and she created a son from the sweat of her body. She asked him to guard the door. When Shiva returned and walked towards the bathing area, Ganesha blocked his path. Shiva was angry and offended by the impudent new guard who had the nerve to question him. In the battle of wills Shiva beheaded Ganesha. Parvati was furious and demanded Ganesha be brought back to life. Shiva sent Nandi (his bull) to bring back the first head of an animal who was sleeping with his head to the north. Nandi brought back the head of Airavat, Lord Indras elephant. After this single cosmic misunderstanding the family Shiva, Parvati, Kartik and Ganesha lived together happily. Somvar (Mondays) are dedicated to Shiva, on every Monday of the year people observe a fast for Shiva.

RAMA The life of Rama, ideal man and great warrior is the story of Indias second epic, The Ramayana. The seventh avatar of Vishnu, Rama brings to life a quality known as Maryada Purush ideal man. In the 3rd century BC, Valmiki wrote the epic Ramayana, immortalising the life of Rama. He was born as Ramachandra the eldest son to King Dashratha, who ruled the kingdom of Ayodhya in north India. Early in his life, a sage called Vishwamitra recognised Rama as an avatar of Vishnu and sought his help in the slaying of a female demon, Taraka. Right from his fight against evil Rama was victorious. This victory foreshadowed the great battle with the demon, Ravana. First Rama would marry. His wife is his celestial partner Lakshmi, who descended in avatar as Sita. To win her hand, Rama showed his prowess as a warrior. Rama was the only suitor who could bend the great bow of Shiva, in front of the entire court of King Janaka. Rama and Sita married and returned to the Kingdom of Ayodhya. However his step mother Kaikeyi obstructed his path to the throne. She wanted her son, Bharat to inherit the kingdom and conspired against Rama. Rama was sent into exile for fourteen years. Sita and Lakshmana (Rama's brother), went with him into the forest where trouble soon followed. When Rama spurned the advances of a Surpa-Nagara a female demon she attacked Sita. Lakshmana defended Sita and wounded Surpa-Nagara. Ravana, Surpa Nagaras brother entered the fray. Ravana was the ten headed demon King of Lanka, As wily as he was vicious, Ravana tricked Rama and Lakshmana and kidnapped Sita. While Rama was searching for Sita, a spirit called Kalabandha told Rama to go to the Monkey King, Sugriva for help. Rama and Lakshmana went to King Sugriva who was in the midst of a crisis. Bali, his brother had taken the kingdom that rightfully belonged to Sugriva. Rama and Lakshmana took on a war with Bali and restored the kingdom to Sugriva. King Sugriva offered Rama the services of his general Hanuman, to help find Sita. Hanuman was able to discover Sitas whereabouts. She was imprisoned by Ravana in his island nation of Lanka. To rescue Sita a bridge was built to reach Ravanas kingdom. Rama, Lakshmana, Hanuman and an army of warriors crossed the bridge and flooded into Lanka. In the war between good and evil, all the demons were killed. Ravana was killed by Rama and Sita was rescued. Together Ram, Sita and Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya. Rama was crowned king and the era when he governed was called Ramrajya in recognition of a time when democracy was given the highest dignity.

KRISHNA The eighth avatar of Vishnu is Krishna. While he was on earth as Krishna he fought innumerable demons and conquered the hearts of many women and composed the the Bhagwad Gita a Hindu treatise on a battlefield. Krishna was born on the eighth day of the holy month of Shravana in Mathura (North India). Kamsa, the demon had been warned that the eighth child of Devaki and Vasudev would bring about his doom. Kamsa imprisoned the pregnant Devaki along with Vasudev. The gods conspired, the child was taken to Yashoda and Nand, cowherds who lived in Vrindavan. As a child, Krishna was mischievous, he had a taste for butter and was affectionately called Makhan chor (butter thief). Meanwhile, Kamsas demonic spies were carefully combing the countryside to find Krishna. Putana was the first demon sent by Kamsa to kill the baby Krishna. She fed him poison from her breasts, but Krishna suckled out her life and survived. Krishna grew up to be the darling of Gokul, all the milkmaids fell in love with him when he played his flute. Krishna would marry Rukmini, an incarnation of Lakshmi but before their wedding he would have to rid the earth of more demons. Rukminis brother had promised her hand in marriage to Shishupal, an incarnation of Ravana(a demon). On their wedding day she eloped with Krishna. Before they could marry, Krishna had to kill the demons Shishupal and Jarasanda. While every turn in his life is marked by a battle against evil, Krishna is most respected for the Bhagawad Gita or the Song of God. He recited the finest piece of literature on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. As Arjunas charioteer, Krishna was the first to see Arjuna overcome by the realisation that he would cause the death of his gurus and relatives. While the armies of the Pandavas and the Kauravas stood facing each other with their arrows drawn, Krishna, recited the Bhagwad Gita, the nucleus of Hindu philosophy.

GANESHA In Dravidian times, Ganesha was worshipped as an elephant, signifying the wisdom and majesty of the universe. The invading Aryans, adopted the Dravidian godling and affirmed their belief in Ganesha. Ganesha made a ceremonial entrane as an Aryan god. The auspicious god, he would be worshipped at the beginning of all rites, an unbroken tradition that continues to this day. In myths, the birth of Ganesha is celebrated as a divine twist of fate. The most popular myth brings alive the story about the elephant head. It all began when Parvati, wanted to bathe. She needed privacy and since there was no one at hand, she created a guard with the sweat and oils from her body. She brought the figure of a young man to life and told him to stand guard while she bathed. When Shiva, her husband returned and strode towards their home, he found his way blocked by an unknown soldier. The soldier blocked Shivas entry. Shiva was furious, a duel began. The soldier fought well, but was no match against the might of Shiva, who killed him. Parvati came out and saw the dead body, she demanded he be brought back to life. Shiva sent his hordes to collect the head of the first living being, who was sleeping with head facing north. The north was associated with wisdom, and was also the direction from which the Aryans had invaded. Airavat, Indras white elephant paid the price for Shivas blunder. While Airavat slept facing the north, Shivas hordes beheaded him. His elephant head was carried away for the dead body. An incensed Parvati demanded that her child be promoted to the status of a primary god. Shiva and all the other gods knew this was the only way they could placate her and Ganesha took his place before all the gods. All rituals (samskaras), begin with the worship of Ganesha. His image invokes the universe, his head signifies wisdom and his body is globular, Vishwaroopa. Ganesha represents the majesty of the animal kingdom with his head and his vehicle the mouse shows subjugation of pestilent rats. . His trunk is twisted into an embodiment of Om, the syllable that created the world. To combat evil, he carries weapons the discus, trident, sword and shield. A broken tusk is a reminder of his battle with a demon, and the fight with the forces of evil. Yet, the same tusk is used by him in the writing of the epic, the Mahabharata. When Vyasa wanted to compose the Mahabharata, Brahma suggested Ganesha be his scribe. Vyasa agreed and Ganesha brought his broken tusk to writing quill. Vyasa dictated the entire epic in verse. Ganesha recorded every word for Gods and men alike. He carries a modak (sweet dumpling) in one hand, for his appetite is insatiable, and conscious of his role the other hand shows in the abhaya mudra(do not fear, I am here to protect). Another legend, explains Ganeshas role in changing astronomy. In the month of Shravan/Bhadrapad, after a feast of modaks Ganesha was on his way home. He was riding his mouse, a snake slithered into their path, the mouse tripped and Ganesha took a tumble. His stomach split, and the modaks fell out, Chandra (the moon) was watching and he began to laugh. Ganesha picked up the snake and used it as a belt to hold his stomach together. He looked up, cursed Chandra and banned him from the night skies. Soon the gods and humankind were dazed glare of the relentless sun. There was no respite of darkness when the moon was banished from the sky. The gods took a delegation to Ganesha and pleaded their case. Ganesha gave in, but made an astronomic condition. The moon would never shine like before. Full moon would be just once a month (earlier every day was a full moon). On other days the Chandra as a reminder of his misdemeanour would wax or wane! Ganesha straddles the divide between the believers of Shiva and Vishnu. Ganesh idols are worshipped both by Shaivites and Vaishnavites. Ganesha temples are seen in almost every village in India. Chubby and gleeful and elephant headed, Ganesha easily finds his place in the hearts of Gods and people.

KARTIKEYA Son of Shiva and Parvati, and brother of Ganesha, Kartikeya is the God of War. Shiva his father is also identified with Agni the God of Fire. His heritage gives him the daunting responsibility of defending all the Gods. Katikeya has a bow and arrow slung across his back ready for war. He rides a peacock and commands the celestial armies. He is known by many names, all with the same meaning - fierce warrior, Skanda, Subramaniam and Murugun.

HANUMAN Hanuman originated in a Dravidian past and was accepted into the Aryan age. He is also known as Maruti, Pavanaputra and Anjaneya. In the Ramayana, Indias second epic written by Valmiki in the 3rd century BC, we meet Hanuman as a Commander in Chief, of the army of King Sugriva (a Monkey King). The son of a wind god Vayu, Hanuman uses his ancestry and his ape like agility to help Rama win the war against Ravana. Rama and Hanuman had first met when they had fought as fellow warriors for King Sugriva. They restored Sugriva to his kingdom. An ever grateful Sugriva offered Rama the services of Hanuman to help find Ramas wife, Sita. Sita had been abducted by Ravana. Rama had been unable to find her and sought Hanumans help. Sita was imprisoned in Lanka, Ravanas kingdom an island off the southern tip of India. Brandishing his mace, Hanuman took a single leap across the gulf separating the two countries and located Sita. The demons of Lanka tried to trick Hanuman. They set fire to his tail, hoping to distract him, Hanuman turned his tail on the city and set Lanka on fire, burning the demons to cinders. During the battle, General Hanuman swung the war in Ramas favour. When Lakshmana was wounded, Hanuman flew to the Himalayas for the medicinal herb Sanjeevani. Unable to identify the Sanjeevani, he wrested the entire mountain from the land and carried it to Lakshmana. Today people celebrate his strength, and agility in temples consecrated to Hanuman.

DURGA Maheshasur, a demon created a cosmic crisis when he usurped the heavens. The gods were desperate and appealed to Shiva. Parvati, Shivas wife took on the task of slaying Maheshasur. She appeared in her powerful avatar as Durga. (Maheshasur could overcome every male opponent.) Each god offered Durga a weapon, Shiva gave his trident, Vishnu contributed his chakra and Vayu donated a bow and arrow. On the battlefield Durga fought a fierce fight against Maheshasur. She created female helpers from herself, Kali and the seven Matrikas, ferocious and bloodthirsty warriors. Astride a lion she slayed Maheshasur and restored the heavens to the gods. Durga who is always depicted astride her lion and thrusting her trident into the Maheshasur stands apart from every other Hindu goddess. She does not lend her shakti to any male god. She uses their weapons and wins an mighty battle aided solely female warriors. To this day, in the month of Ashwin, during the nine days of the Poojas, people honour Durga for her might and power. Durgas epic victory over evil is celebrated as Vijayadashmi.

LAKSHMI Lakshmi the Goddess of Fortune, lived in the ocean and was discovered by Vishnu her husband in his avatar as a tortoise! The story began when the Devas (minor gods) were in race against the Asuras (demons) to obtain amrit (the nectar of immortality). The Devas consulted Vishnu was on earth as Kurma, a tortoise. They decided they would churn the oceans for the amrit. They created a churn by threading the serpent Vasuki around Mount Mandara. Kurma dived to the ocean floor and balanced Mount Mandara on his back. In the grip of Kurmas cosmic clutch, the mountain could not sink into the ocean bed. The gods churned and received the nectar of immortality and then fourteen treasures came to their hands. For Kurma the most precious was Lakshmi, the Goddess of beauty and good fortune who would be his wife. Vishnu carried Lakshmi from the ocean married her first in heaven and then many times on earth. Each time Vishnu descended on earth in an avatar, he would marry an avatar of Lakshmi. A cosmic couple, they would wed on earth as in heaven. When Vishnu appears as Parashurama, he marries Lakshmi as Dharini. When he is Rama, Lakshmi is born as Sita. As Krishna he marries her as Rukmini. Lakshmi plays a central role in creation, for she is Vishnus shakti. Her birth in the oceans bestowed her with boundless fertility. On earth she is known as Prakriti, nature, the mother of all living beings. When Vishnu and she are together, they fly through the skies on Garuda, an eagle. Without Vishnu, Lakshmi is never alone, two elephants shower her with the waters of the Ganga. Dressed in a red sari, she wears rich gold ornaments that express her ties with good fortune. She sits on a lotus, signifying her spiritual power, an ascension from murky water flowering into purity. The lotus is understood as a symbol of the cosmic world. Lakshmi is the most popular goddess in the Hindu Pantheon. Each month of the year finds a festival to celebrate Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. In the month of Kartik on Diwali, Lakshmi Pooja precedes the welcome of the New Year. At a time when the last year comes to a close and it is the eve of the New Year, people pray to Lakshmi, for success, wealth and prosperity. United by their belief in the Goddess of good fortune, Shree Lakshmi, Hindus revere Lakshmi with boundless affection each year.

SARASWATI Saraswati is the first river who was granted status as a Vedic Goddess. And in the transition from river to Goddess, we can trace the journey of the Aryans. Originally, from Central Asia, the Aryans were fire worshippers. Their tribes flooded into India around 1,500 BC and they settled along the banks of the Saraswati. The Saraswati, flowed from the Himalayas and into the Indian Ocean. and she weaned the Aryans from their nomadic living to farming. Her fertile presence conferred them with rich harvests and prosperity. Their sages and poets meditated along the banks of the Saraswati, and their muse became a goddess. The first river Goddess implied the permanence of the Aryan presence in India. The Aryans believed she sanctified the land. (Later like the Saraswati, the Goddesses Parvati and Lakshmi would also appear as the rivers Ganga and Yamuna.) Slowly, her significance as a river goddess faded, (she had inspired Vedic hymns) and she became associated with poetry and music of the sages. The mother of all Vedic knowledge, she is also known as Vach, the Goddess of speech and learning. Saraswatis milky white appearance, reveals her sattvic (pure)nature. She is the wife of Brahma but their union is symbolic, she is the mother of artistic creation. Saraswati is seen in places of learning, where the thirst for knowledge overrides other desires. In early summer, books, pens and gurus are worshipped during Saraswati Pooja. Her white sari implies a pristine pursuit of learning. She has four arms, and she carries a lute (Veena), prayer beads, a palm leaf scroll and a lotus which collectively symbolise wisdom. She rides a swan, showing that she has overcome pride and passion and aspires to reach beyond the natural world. From a pure physical presence, as a river, Saraswati reinvented herself with each evolution in Hinduism. While the river may have disappeared Saraswati continues as a Goddess who inspires and kindles the sparks of wisdom.

PARVATI Parvati, is the wife of Shiva and the mother of Kartikeya and Ganesha. Shiva and Parvatis marriage can be traced in historical and religious texts. Shiva was a Dravidian king who married Sati, a daughter of an Aryan ruler. Satis father, Daksha disapproved of their union. After the wedding, at a yagna (sacrifice), being performed by Daksha. Shiva was ignored by his father in law and the guests. Sati, who could not bear this humiliation of her husband, jumped into the sacrificial fire and became the first Sati (a tradition where women would burn themselves on their husband's funeral pyres). When Shiva collected her ashes, he could only express his deep pain and grief through a violent dance called the Tandav. Terrifying all creation he danced around the earth seven times. Unable to console Shiva, the Gods resolved they would revive Sati. Sati was reborn as Parvati, daughter of King Himavat who lived in the Himalayas. Shiva had renounced the world and in Mount Kailash he began a hard penance. Immersed in meditation, Shiva was immune to the presence of Parvati (daughter of the mountains). Parvati asked Madan/Kama the God of love for help. He told her to dance in front of Shiva. While Parvati danced, Madan shot an arrow laced by flowers at Shiva, whose penance broke. When Shiva opened his eyes Parvati was his first vision. Shiva too began to dance with Parvati and as the gods watched the couple in bliss, their fears were laid to rest. Parvati lured Shiva into marriage and away from asceticism. He became a householder and she became his shakti, the creative force of the cosmos. In Mount Kailash their ardour was intense, the gods were worried about the child who would be born from this union. Shivas seed dropped on the banks of the Ganga (the river who flows through his matted hair). This is the lingam that is worshipped all over India. Their first child was Kartikeya or Subramanya. Kartikeya would fight the demon Taraka rescue the world and then return to Parvati and Shiva. Parvatis second child was Ganesha. Legends say his birth was determined by Parvati's desire for privacy. She wanted to bathe and created a son from the sweat of her body. She asked Ganesha to guard the door. When Shiva returned to their living area, Ganesha confronted him. Shiva who was unaccustomed to being blocked at his doorstep fought Ganesha and beheaded him. When Parvati saw her son lying beheaded, she was furious and demanded Ganesha be brought back to life. Shiva sent his hordes to bring back the first head of an animal who was sleeping with his head to the North. They brought back the head of Airavat, Lord Indras elephant. Ganesha was given primary status as a god and Parvati was appeased. Parvati is the only female deity, who like Vishnu has the ability to change her form. She appears in incarnations as Durga and Lakshmi. As Parvati she is soft, gentle and sattvic. As Durga she becomes a powerful warrior, and as Kali a bloodthirsty Goddess who can even demand sacrificial killings.