Referred to as Sun-Gods, their twelve names are given in the Bhagavata Purana. There are more “religions” in India than in the rest of the world combined—and more than 300 million gods. Ganesha is one of the most popular Gods in Hindu mythology. And as he is the source of all knowledge in the universe, Saraswati is the embodiment of knowledge itself. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of a fish during the Satya Yuga to save the totality of living beings from a great flood. Known by the names Panduranga and Vitthala, he is seen as an incarnation of Vishnu. The Vishnu Purana states that Rudra was created out of the anger of lord Brahma and appeared in the Ardhanari (half male, half female) form. He is seen as the giver of strength and courage, and is very benevolent to true devotees. Appropriately so, because India is their birthplace. He is one of the Chiranjivis (immortals) in Hinduism. It is an extremely popular pilgrimage destination among the minuscule minority Hindu population of Pakistan. Shri Krishna was born as the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva in Rohini Nakshatra. He is worshiped for his righteousness and valor. In Vedic philosophy, Brahma is the embodiment of intellect, and is present as intellect in all human beings. He is depicted as riding a chariot drawn by seven horses. He also takes a variety of other forms due to the many stories surrounding him. Laxmi is another popular goddess in Indian households, and is widely worshiped. We've created informative articles that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! Shiva, as mentioned above, is one of the three primary gods in Hinduism. It is believed that lord Vishnu incarnates on earth to end evil and restore good. He leads the army of gods and is considered as the god of war. Once Parvathi playfully closed the eyes of the three-eyed Lord when Shiva was in the form of a hermit, with ash sprinkled all over himself. He is worshiped for attaining knowledge of the Absolute Truth. According to the Vedas, there are only 33 main deities and others are just their avatars and reincarnation. In once sense, Kali is time—the force that annihilates everything. But material wealth is just the tip of the iceberg—Lakshmi seeks to give spiritual wealth and the true blessings of inner realization, worth more than all of the transient, intangible and ultimately meaningless wealth in the world. In many ways, Shiva is a symbol for raw, undifferentiated consciousness. Each one has many interesting qualities and powers. Buddha – Founder of Buddhism who preached ahimsa. Susna is a horned serpent-demon who aids the Asuras in their war against the Deva. His mount is … Agni: The Fire God Read More » Story of Jada Bharata from Srimad bhagavatam Budha – Believed to be the son of Chandra and Tara, he is the god of merchandise. Kali has either black or blue skin, depending on which stories you read, and she carries weapons in each of her multiple hands along with the severed head of a demon. The 4 yugas in order are - Sati yuga , Treta Yuga , Dwapar yuga and Kali Yuga . In his hands he carries – a rope (to help lead the worshipers to the truth), an axe (to cut away the devotees wrong … Shiva's bull, the protector of all the animals, who calmed down the Angry Shiva. He is the lord of procreation, and is responsible for the propagation of life on Earth. Ekadashi means the 11th day after the full moon and the 11th day after the new moon. Yajnavalkya would always keep an empty front seat in his classes, so that if Janaka came, he could sit there and listen to his teachings. By many sects in Hinduism, he is considered as the Supreme God. Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! Ganesha Stories – 7 Most Popular Stories of Ganesha. Ekadashi. Kali is known as the demon destroyer, the goddess of time and doomsday. This includes all sensual desires, including love. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. An incarnation of Vishnu, he is considered as the god of Ayurveda medicine. The son of Shiva and Parvati, the pot-bellied elephant god Ganesha is the lord of success, knowledge, and... Shiva. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. But Prahlada was a devout follower of Lord Vishnu and continued to pray Him despite getting repeated warnings from his father. Shiva represents death and dissolution, destroying worlds so they may be recreated by … One person may take a liking to one quality of a god and then worship him/her. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Guru – Also known by the name Brihaspati, he is believed to be the guru of gods. He stands on a brick, with hands on the hips and elbows bent outwards. He is considered to be the supreme being by one of the Hindu sects. He has four hands, a big belly and the face of an elephant. Daksha is one of the creator-gods of the universe. The other gods, Deva and goddesses, Devi are incarnations of the three supreme deities. He is the god of divine knowledge. The Ramayana states that when Vayu withdrew with sadness, creatures started to die on earth. He is seen as the Destroyer (or transformer) of the universe. Prahlada’s faith in God. Bhagavad Gita, the holy book of Hindus comprises his conversation with Arjuna. But this is not so. BAPS Kids - Story Time. He is accompanied by his consort Rakhumai. Chandra – Symbolizing the Moon, he is also known as Soma. This is because, in her primordial form, she is the ‘Shakti’ of the Supreme God, that is Vishnu. Names differ across scriptures. Soma – The Moon god. He is worshiped in South India. Prithvi – She is mother earth and the carrier of all beings. In a normal and general perspective, he is one of the Trimurti, along with Brahma and Shiva. Goddess Laxmi is exclusively worshiped during the festivals of Diwali, Navratri, and Kojagiri Poornima. Here are ten interesting facts about Hindu Gods. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. He’s often referred to as Shiva the Destroyer, because he destroys false, unenlightened, ignorant consciousness with the fire of his yogic devotion. There are infinite manifestations of the supreme being according to Vedic scriptures, and the numbers 33 million or 330 million are just the way of signifying that the one god has infinite manifestations. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Brahma is the creator of the Vedas. Hinduism, in its core philosophy, believes that there is one supreme being or god. Many Hindu scriptures include him in the 10 avatars of Vishnu. In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says that he appears on earth millennium after millennium to re-establish the principles of religion. Hinduism is quite likely the oldest “religion” in the world—but to call it a religion wouldn’t really be accurate, because it’s more accurately a collection of beliefs. The most popular of these poetic epics are the Ramayana and Mahabharata. He is believed to have risen during the Sagar manthan, bearing a pot of nectar (Amrita). Here is a list of the avatars of Vishnu in the order of their appearance. Kali is wrathful to her enemies, and protective and fiercely loyal of her devotees. In the end, the bottom line of every scripture states that the final goal of spirituality is that of realization of the One God. The stories of Hindu gods tell the tales of good versus evil, light versus dark, power, balance, and virtue. #3. Shiva is the Lord of Yoga—not only did he invent the art of yoga, he is also the world’s best practitioner. There are four Vedas, and it is said that each one of them came from one of his heads. He comes to save Manu, the first man, from an apocalyptic flood. In Hinduism there are three main sects – Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism. This comprises five planets, the Sun, Moon, Rahu (ascending lunar node), and Ketu (descending lunar node). Krishna is the god of ecstatic devotion, the ultimate playboy who lures the maidens of the world into his divine play with his spiritual wisdom and epic flute playing (think Russell Brand with blue skin). Often depicted dispensing gold coins from her hand, Lakshmi is prayed to by those in conditions of financial hardship. It chronicles the life of Rama from his birth in the kingdom of Ayodhya to his decisive victory over his evil neme… He is known as Maryada Purushottama (Lord of Self-Control). All these avatars have specific qualities, powers, and roles in the working of the universe. Shiva destroys, Brahma creates and Vishnu preserves; together they create, preserve and destroy the universe, keeping it fresh and in perpetual motion. Different scriptures call Rudras by different names. One of the holy trinity in Hinduism, Brahma is the Creator of the universe. Ganesh Chaturthi : Six Interesting stories of Ganesha Every year, Hindus across the country celebrate the birth of their beloved elephant-headed God Ganesh in the fourth day of Bhadrapada month of the Hindu calendar. He restored Indra’s rule on the three worlds. Kurma – A tortoise avatar, Vishnu supports the celestial churning of the celestial milk to extract amrit, or the drink of immortality. Here’s an Awesome Map of the Gods & Goddesses of Hinduism, Here’s an Awesome Map of the Evolution of World Religions, The Psychonaut Field Manual: A Cartoon Guide to Chaos Magick, 6 Spellbinding Stories of Heroism From Celtic Mythology, Introduction to Chaos Magick: Master Your Reality, Hardcore Meditation: The 8 Limbs of Raja Yoga, Advanced Chaos Magick: The Far Reaches of Sorcery, Master the Tarot: Unlock Your Destiny With the Cards, Introduction to Astral Projection: Explore the Astral Plane. Shaivism is the worship of Shiva, Vaishnavism refers to the worship of Vishnu, and Shaktism is the worship of Shakti or Devi. For other Hindu sects, Shiva's reputation is as the Destroyer of Evil, existing on equal footing with Brahma and Vishnu. Goddess Saraswati is the eternal consort of Brahma, the creator of the world. Agni deva is the fire god and acceptor of sacrifices. Kali is the most wrathful aspect of the Goddess, the archetypal feminine force of shakti which is venerated in Hinduism (a religion that not only worships women as gods just like men, but also worships them in all of their aspects, including terrible and wrathful). They are representative of the main elements of nature. | About Us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy. Parashuram – Popularly depicted with an ax that he is believed to have received from Shiva. But in the scriptures, in certain instances, she has taken the form of Kali and Durga, who are chastisers. He is depicted in the form of Trimurti, with Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva together. Up to meet a few? Kali is the goddess of death, time, and change. His books include John Dee and the Empire of Angels, Ultraculture Journal, Queen Valentine, Thee Psychick Bible and Generation Hex. Krishna – He is known to be the most complete avatar of lord Vishnu. Also known as Vasus, they are attendants of Indra and Vishnu. According to the Nath tradition, this deity is an incarnation of Shiva. Ganesh is prayed to at the beginning of any undertaking, and whenever a devotee faces insurmountable problems in their life or otherwise “gets stuck”—that’s when the Elephant Lord can arrive to clear the way. When all else fails, call on the Wrathful Mother. The characters, philosophy and stories that make up ancient Vedic myths are indelibly linked with Hindu beliefs. They list many gods and goddesses in their various manifestations. They are worshiped to remove difficulties and bring good luck. Nakshatra – It is the constellation of gods that appear as stars. The book signifies material knowledge and the lotus signifies actual knowledge―that is, the knowledge of the self. Surya – The Sun god. He is the creator-god, who creates the bodies of men and animals, and even heavenly bodies. At that time, Shiva was meditating in Mount Mandara. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. Here are a few of the most popular ones: The Creation of the Ganges River She rides a tiger, and can perhaps be thought of as a fierce Hindu mother or aunt who rides in to take care of business. His other names include Skanda and Murugan. He is so powerful that he even brought the dead son of his Guru Sandipani as a way of paying Gurudakshina to Sandipani. In Dattatreya Purana, he is considered as the incarnation of the trinity and hence believed to be all-powerful. Their fight lasted a thousand years. Parvati is the wife of Shiva and his eternal consort. Source Interesting Lord Krishna Facts #1. The Vedas are four in number, namely RigVeda, YajurVeda, SamaVeda, … This is because Hindu or Vedic beliefs celebrate the innate divinity of every being, and instead of forcing a singular truth on everybody, acknowledge that many gods, and many truths, can co-exist together. Powerful Mantras for Love and Relationships, Meditative Exercises to Strengthen Your Mind. RELATED: The Psychonaut Field Manual: A Cartoon Guide to Chaos Magick. Vishnu not only maintains the universe, but also maintains dharma, or righteous, dignified behavior. […] RELATED: 7 Hindu Gods That Will Blow Your Mind […], Your email address will not be published. Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. This beloved Hindu god is the destroyer of sins and an embodiment of joy, happiness, and love. There are more “religions” in India than in the rest of the world combined—and more than 300 million gods. Hinduism in India. He is usually depicted with having four heads. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. https://spiritualray.com/list-of-hindu-gods-goddesses-their-powers Brahma is also said to be reciting the Vedas continuously and simultaneously from each of his four mouths. The son of Shiva (below), Ganesh has an elephant’s head—and his role is the Lord of Obstacles. Kalki – Final incarnation of Vishnu and the bringer of Armageddon, where he is prophesied to destroy all the unrighteous people in the world at the end of kali yuga. Vishnu, by many sects in Hindus, is considered to be the supreme god. Ganesh is the most popular god in the world. Durga is another aspect of the wrathful mother—just slightly less intense than Kali. Mitra. They are ten in number and collectively known as Dashavatara meaning dasa (ten) avatar (incarnations). It is said in the Hindu scriptures that there are 33 Crore which is equal to 330 million gods. This might seem unreal, but the fact is in India, people worship 330 million Gods and Goddesses. Susna is also associated with drought. The reason people have the misconception that the Hindu religion is polytheistic, is because of the sheer number of gods and demigods narrated in the Vedic scriptures. Furthermore, Mitra is a negotiator for the men and gods. The gods, repulsed by Indra's full-body menstruation, undid the curse by turning all of the vaginas into eyes, which gave Indra his official title as the Thousand-Eyed God. He is considered to be a combination of four creature- man, elephant, mouse and snake. Would you like to write for us? Prahlada was the son of king Hiranyakashipu and queen Kayadhu. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Jason Louv is the editor-in-chief of Ultraculture and has written for Boing Boing, VICE News, Motherboard and more. She is the giver of speech, wisdom, and learning. One of the most interesting facts about Hindu Gods is that they are unbelievably larger in number. SpiritualRay lists the important Gods and Goddesses in Hinduism, along with their powers. RELATED: Here’s an Awesome Map of the Evolution of World Religions. These cookies do not store any personal information. While Buddha is widely accepted as an avatar of Vishnu, some scriptures do not include him in the Dashavatara, and consider Balarama as the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, followed by Krishna and Kalki. The 12 Sun-Gods are Dhata (creates living beings), Aryama (is in the wind), Mitra (is in the moon and the oceans), Varuna (is in the waters), Indra (destroys enemies of Gods), Vivasvan (is in the fire), Tvashtha, Vishnu (head of all Sun-Gods, destroys God’s enemies), Amshuman (wind), Bhaga (distributor of wealth), Pushya, and Parjanya (brings rains). She is seen as a benevolent mother among the Hindus. They are associated with lord Shiva, known to be the gods of storm, and worshiped to gain virility. Vishnu is the Preserver forms, with Shiva, a three-aspected god. He is the god of war. Revered as the remover of all obstacles, countless songs, stories and imagery celebrate him as one of the most popular deities […] Also known by the name Balaji, he is an incarnation of lord Vishnu. She is also the supreme knower of fine arts like music, arts, and literature. Another interesting facts is that, Once the dwarf demon ‘Apasmara’, representing ignorance challenged Lord Shiva. He is the King of the Gods residing on Swarga or Heaven. People should try to live good lives as part of the reincarnation process. Shukra – He represents wealth, happiness, and reproduction. She has been worshiped in many forms throughout India for millennia. He is the god of desire. She is the embodiment of kala, or time. Vayam Panchadhikam Shatam (Blood is thicker than water) ‘Vayam Panchadhikam Shatam’ is a story of Pandavas that demonstrates that ‘blood is thicker than water’. They symbolize the sunrise and the sunset. Ganesha is the god of auspiciousness. Here are some fun stories and interesting facts about him 1. Hope the article has intrigued you enough to read more about the wonderful religion of Hinduism. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. He is a form of Vishnu (or Krishna). He is depicted as beautiful and proud. All the other deities are manifestations or avatars. We’re talking about Lord Ganesh stories for kids today! Lakshmi is a perpetually popular goddess, as she rules money and wealth. Category Archives: Interesting Hindu Mythology Stories. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. #2. Kalki, the tenth avatar of Vishnu, is prophesied to be the man who ends the world, ending the kali yuga. Lord Shiva took the form of ‘Nataraja’ and performed his dance of destruction, also known as Tandava, and crushed the arrogant Apasmara under his right foot. Parvati has infinite power, and is even respected by the Trimurti. The serpent also guards the essence of Amrita in its stomach. In one of the story of Yajnavalkya & Janaka King Janaka was one of epic! Wiped out Kshatriyas from the earth: Lord Shiva Lord Shiva, Vaishnavism refers to fierce... He stands on a brick, with his elephant head, pot belly and Empire. Only 33 main deities and others are just their avatars and reincarnation and understand you. 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