List of Hindu deities

Hinduism is the largest religion in the Indian subcontinent and third largest religion in the world. It comprises five major sects or denominations, Vaishnavism, Brahmanism, Saurism, Shaktism, Shivaism,[1] whose followers consider Vishnu, Brahma, Surya, Shakti (Devi) and Shiva to be the Supreme deity respectively. Most of the other deities were either related to them or different forms (incarnations) of these deities. Hinduism has been called the "oldest religion" in the world, and many practitioners refer to Hinduism as "the eternal law". (Sanātana Dharma).[2] Given below is a list of the chief Hindu deities followed by a list of minor Hindu deities (including demi-gods). Smartism, an older tradition and later reestablished by Jagatguru Adi Shankaracharya, invites the worship of more than one god including Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Shakti and Ganesha (the elephant faced god) among other gods and goddesses. It is not as overtly sectarian as either Vashnavism, Brahmanism or Shivaism and is based on the recognition that Brahman (God) is the highest principle in the universe and pervades all of existence.[3][4][5][6]

Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva seated on lotuses with their consorts Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati
Part of a series on
Hinduism
Origins
Main traditions
Deities
Trimurti
Tridevi
Other major Devas / Devis
Concepts
Worldview
Supreme Reality
God
Life
Mind
Liberation
Ethics
Liberation
Practices
Worship
Meditation and Charity
Yoga
Ashrama Dharma
Festivals
Philosophical schools
Six Astika schools
Other schools
Gurus, saints, philosophers
Ancient
Medieval
Modern
Texts
Scriptures
Vedas
Divisions
Upanishads
Other scriptures
Other texts
Vedangas
Puranas
Itihasas
Upavedas
Shastras and Sutras
Text classification
Society
Other topics

Main deities

The Hindu trinity, also known are tridev consists of Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the Destroyer. Their feminine counterparts are Saraswati, the wife of Brahma, Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu, and Parvati the wife of Shiva. The followers of the last two form two major sects.

Brahma

According to hinduism, Brahma is the creator of the entire cosmic universe. Although he is the creator, he is hardly worshipped in modern Hinduism. He is identified with supreme vedic god, Prajapati. He married Saraswati, who emerged to give knowledge to create. Some alternative names for Brahma are

  • Vednatha
  • Chaturmukha
  • Prajapati
  • Hiranyagarbha
  • Vedagarbha

Devi (goddess)
Main articles: Devi and Shakti

Communities of goddess worship are ancient in India. In the Rigveda, the most prominent goddess is Ushas, the goddess of dawn. In modern Hinduism, goddesses are widely revered. Shaktism is one of the major sects of Hinduism. Followers of Shaktism believe that the goddess (Devi) is the power (Shakti) that underlies the female principle, and that Devi is the supreme being, one and the same with Para Brahman. Shakti has many forms/manifestations like Parvati, Durga, and others but there are also goddesses that are parts of Shakti such as Lakshmi and Saraswati. Devi is believed to manifest in peaceful forms, such as Parvati the consort of Shiva and also in fierce forms, such as Kali and Durga. In Shaktism, Adi Parashakti is regarded as Ultimate Godhead or Para Brahman. She is formless i.e. Nirguna in reality, but may take many forms i.e. Saguna. Durga and Lalita Tripurasundari are regarded as the Supreme goddess in the Kalikula and Srikula systems respectively. Shaktism is closely related with Tantric Hinduism, which teaches rituals and practices for purification of the mind and body.[3][4][5][6] Some different parts of Shakti (Devi) the Mother Goddess:

Shiva
Main article: Shiva

Shaivism is one of the major Hindu sects. Adherents of Shaivism believe that the god Shiva is the supreme being. Shiva is the destroyer god among the Trimurti, and so is sometimes depicted as the fierce god Bhairava. Shaivists are more attracted to asceticism than adherents of other Hindu sects, and may be found wandering with ashen faces performing self-purification rituals.[3][4][5][6] Some alternative forms of Shiva (and Bhairavs) are listed below:

Vishnu
Main article: Vishnu

Vaishnavism is the sect within Hinduism that worships Vishnu, the preserver god of the Hindu Trimurti (the Trinity), and his many incarnations. Vaishnavites regard him to be eternal and the strongest and supreme God . It is a devotional sect, and followers worship many deities, including Rama and Krishna both the 7th & the 8th incarnations of Vishnu respectively. The adherents of this sect are generally non-ascetic, monastic and devoted to meditative practice and ecstatic chanting.[3][4][5][6] Some alternate names of Vishnu the Preserver:

  • Yamuna, the life energy, the daughter of lord Surya and the goddess of kindness, humanity, beauty Saranyu.
  • Ganesha, son of Shiva and Parvati and was also called Ganpati, the Ganapatya sectary worshipped Ganesha as their chief deity. He is the god of wisdom and remover of all obstacles. He is worshipped before any other deity.
  • Kartikeya, son of Shiva and Parvati and was also called Muruga, Karthik, Kumara or Shanmukha, the Kaumaram sectary worshipped Subramanya as their chief deity. He's also the brother of Lord Ganesha.
  • Ayyappan, son of Shiva and Mohini and was also called Manikanta since he has mani(Rudraksha) in kanta(neck)
  • Hanuman, is one of incarnation of Shiva and devotee of Rama (incarnation of Vishnu) and was also called Anjaneya, since his mother is anjana
  • Ganga, holi river in Hinduism.
  • Hansa, the devoted swan who acts as the vahana (vehicle) of Lord Brahma.
  • Garuda, the devoted eagle who acts as the vahana (vehicle) of Lord Vishnu and the king of all birds.
  • Nandi, the devoted bull who acts as the vahana (vehicle) of Lord Shiva.
  • Shani, the son of Sun
  • Shesha, the king of Nagas

Avatars (incarnations)
Main article: Avatar

Adi parashakti
  1. Gayatri
  2. Mahamaya
  3. Yogamaya
  4. Sati
  5. Tripura sundari
  6. Parvati
  7. Aparna
  8. Durga
  9. Rudrani
  10. Mahalsa
  11. Narayani
  12. Kamakhya
  13. Meenakshi
  14. Kamakshi
  15. Vishalakshi
  16. Abhirami
  17. Kanya Kumari
  18. Annapoorna
  19. Shataksi or Shakambhari
  20. Bhramari or Bhramarambha
  21. Kausiki
  22. Akhilandeswari
  23. Uma
  24. Mari
  25. Bhavani
  26. Ambika
  27. Mahadevi
  28. Sarvamangala Devi

Dasa Mahavidya
  1. Mahakali
  2. Tara
  3. Shodashi
  4. Bhuvaneswari
  5. Chhinnamasta
  6. Bhairavi
  7. Dhumavati
  8. Bagalamukhi
  9. Matangi
  10. Kamalatmika
  1. Shailaputri
  2. Brahmacharini
  3. Chandraghanta
  4. Kushmanda
  5. Skandamata
  6. Katyayani
  7. Kalaratri
  8. Mahagauri
  9. Siddhidhatri

Mahakali
  1. Kali
  2. Bhadrakali
  3. Ugrakali
  4. Chandi
  5. Chamunda
  6. Chandamari

Asta Matrikas
  1. Brahmani
  2. Maheshwari
  3. Kaumari
  4. Vaishnavi
  5. Varahi
  6. Narasimhi
  7. Indrani
  8. Chamunda

Ganesha
  1. Vakratunda (Vakratuṇḍa) ("twisting trunk"), his mount is a lion.
  2. Ekadanta ("single tusk"), his mount is a mouse.
  3. Mahodara ("big belly"), his mount is a mouse.
  4. Gajavaktra (or Gajānana) ("elephant face"), his mount is a mouse.
  5. Lambodara ("pendulous belly"), his mount is a mouse.
  6. Vikata (Vikaṭa) ("unusual form", "misshapen"), his mount is a peacock.
  7. Vighnaraja (Vighnarāja) ("king of obstacles"), his mount is the celestial serpent Śeṣa.
  8. Dhumravarna (Dhūmravarṇa) ("grey color") corresponds to Śiva, his mount is a horse.

Shiva
  1. Shankar Avatar
  2. Veerabhadra Avatar
  3. Bhairava Avatar
  4. Khandoba Avatar
  5. Durvasa Avatar
  6. Nataraja Avatar
  7. Ardhanarishvara Avatar
  8. Muneeswarar Avatar
  9. Muthappan Avatar
  10. Pashupati Avatar
  11. Gangeshwar Avatar
  12. Rudra Avatar
  13. Lingam Avatar
  14. Dakshinamurthy Avatar
  15. Ravananugraha Avatar
  16. Vaidheeswara Avatar
  17. Lingodbhava Avatar
  18. Somaskanda Avatar
  19. Bhikshatana Avatar
  20. Sri Manjunatha Avatar
  21. Jyotirlinga Forms, The 12 divine representations of Lord Shiva
  22. Bholenath Avatar
  23. Hanuman Avatar

Brahma
  1. Valki Avatar
  2. Kashyapa Avatar
  3. Sukra Avatar
  4. Kalidasa Avatar
  5. Chandra Avatar
  6. Samudra Avatar
  7. Jamvanta Avatar
  8. Agastya Avatar

Dashavatara
  1. Matsya, the fish
  2. Kurma, the tortoise
  3. Varaha, the boar
  4. Narasimha, the Half Man-Half Lion avatar.
  5. Vamana, the Dwarf
  6. Parashurama, the cosmic Warrior Brahmin
  7. Rama, the emperor of Kosala and the hero of the epic Ramayana
  8. Krishna, central character in the Mahabharata, the Bhagavata Purana and the Bhagavad Gita. Some texts mention it as Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna
  9. Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Some texts mention it to be Krishna.
  10. Kalki who is expected to appear at the end of Kali Yuga

Lakshmi
  1. Bhargavi
  2. Sridevi
  3. Sita
  4. Radha
  5. Rukmini and Ashtabharya and other 16,000 wives of Lord Krishna.
  6. Padmavati
  7. Vedavati
  8. Tulasi
  9. Satyabhama
  10. Kamala
  11. Bhudevi
  12. Andal

Astha Lakshmi
  1. Adi Lakshmi, The ancient form of Lakshmi.
  2. Dhana Lakshmi, The Money Lakshmi
  3. Dhanya Lakshmi, The Grain Lakshmi
  4. Gaja Lakshmi, The Elephant Lakshmi
  5. Santana Lakshmi, The Progeny Lakshmi
  6. Dhairya Lakshmi, The Valarous Lakshmi
  7. Vidya Lakshmi, The Knowledge Lakshmi

Additional Forms

In some Ashta Lakshmi lists, other forms of Lakshmi are included,

  1. Aishwarya Lakshmi, The Prosperity Lakshmi
  2. Saubhagya Lakshmi, The Giver of Good Fortune
  3. Rajya Lakshmi, The Royal Lakshmi
  4. Vara Lakshmi, The Boon Lakshmi

Saraswati
  1. Savitri
  2. Vani
  3. Brahmani
  4. Mahasaraswati
  5. Gayatri
  6. Medha
  7. Gir
  8. Vāc

Rigvedic deities

The Rigveda speaks of Thirty-three gods called the Trayastrinshata ('Three plus thirty'). They consists of the 12 Adityas, the 8 Vasus, the 11 Rudras and the 2 Ashvins. Indra also called Śakra, lord of the gods, is the first of the 33 followed by Agni. Some of these brother gods were invoked in pairs such as Indra-Agni, Mitra-Varuna and Soma-Rudra.

Adityas

Rudras
Main article: Rudras

The Ramayana tells they are eleven of the 33 children of the sage Kashyapa and his wife Aditi, along with the 12 Adityas, 8 Vasus and 2 Ashvins, constituting the Thirty-three gods.[7] The Vamana Purana describes the Rudras as the sons of Kashyapa and Aditi.[8] The Matsya Purana notes that Surabhi – the mother of all cows and the "cow of plenty" – was the consort of Brahma and their union produced the eleven Rudras. Here they are named: Nirriti, Shambhu, Aparajita Mrigavyadha, Kapardi, Dahana, Khara, Ahirabradhya, Kapali, Pingala and Senani.[9] Brahma allotted to the Rudras the eleven positions of the heart and the five sensory organs, the five organs of action and the mind.[8][10]

Vasus

Assistants of Indra and of Vishnu

Main article: Vasu
  • Agni the "Fire" god, also called Anala or "living",
  • Varuna the "Water" god, also called Antarikṣa the "Atmosphere" or "Space" god,
  • Vāyu the "Wind", the air god, also called Anila ("wind")
  • Dyauṣ the "Sky" god, also called Dyeus and Prabhāsa or the "shining dawn"
  • Pṛthivī the "Earth" god, also called Dharā or "support"
  • Sūrya the "Sun" god, also called Pratyūsha, ("break of dawn", but often used to mean simply "light"), the Saura sectary worshipped Sūrya as their chief deity.
  • Soma the "Moon" god, also called Chandra
  • Samudra the "Sea" god, also called as "Sagar"

Ashvins
Main article: Aśvins

The Ashvins (also called the Nāsatyas) were twin gods. Nasatya is also the name of one twin, while the other is called Dasra.

Number of deities in Hinduism

Most of the Hindu temples are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu (including his incarnations Krishna and Rama), Brahma, Shakti (the mother goddess, hence including the forms of Durga and Kali and the goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati), Ganesh and Hanuman.[11][12][13] The Hindu scriptures claimed that there were 33 KOTI or 33 category gods, koti meaning in Sanskrit crore (33 कोटि = 10 prakar, tarah ). Crore also translates to 10,000,000 or 10 million.

One theory is that the number 330 million (33 crore) gods refers to the total count of the then known population of all the humans and living beings that ever walked on this planet including the 84 lakh (8.4 million) jeeva rasi (living species) signifying that god exists in every living being. This is in line with the belief of Indians to respect all living beings as gods. It is estimated that the world population was around this number about a 1000 years ago when this number would have originated. It also explains the many gods (e.g. the grama devatas or village gods who were clearly living persons at one time and many of the other gods who were believed to have been persons, e.g. Rama and Krishna).

Another theory is that the number might be figurative but there are several names and forms for the multitude of gods.[14]

See also
  • List of Hindu fertility deities
  • List of Hinduism-related articles
  • List of Hindu Empires and Dynasties
  • Lists of deities in Sanamahism

References
  1. Nath 2001, p. 31.
  2. Knott 1998, p. 5.
  3. "The Four Denominations of Hinduism". Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  4. "The Four Main Denominations". Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  5. "Hindu Sects". Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  6. Dubois (April 2007). Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies. Cosimo. p. 111. ISBN 9781602063365.
  7. Mani pp. 654–5
  8. Daniélou, Alain (1991). The myths and gods of India. Inner Traditions International. pp. 102–4, 341, 371. ISBN 0-89281-354-7.
  9. A Taluqdar of Oudh (2008). The Matsya Puranam. The Sacred books of the Hindus. 2. Cosmo Publications for Genesis Publishing Pvt Ltd. pp. 74–5, 137. ISBN 978-81-307-0533-0.
  10. Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary With Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 0-8426-0822-2.
  11. "Hindu Gods & Goddesses". Sanatan Society. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  12. "Hinduism". About.com. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  13. "Hindu gods and goddesses". usefulcharts. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  14. Lynn Foulston, Stuart Abbott (2009). Hindu goddesses: beliefs and practices. pp. 1–2. ISBN 9781902210438.

Sources
  • Brodd, Jeffrey (2003). World Religions: A Voyage of Discovery. Saint Mary's Press. p. 45. ISBN 978-0-88489-725-5.: '[..] many gods and goddesses (traditionally 330 million!) [...] Hinduism generally regards its 330 million as deities as extensions of one ultimate reality, many names for one ocean, many "masks" for one God.'
  • Brown, Joe David, ed. (1961). India. Time-Life Books. Time, Inc. popular figure.: "Though the popular figure of 330 million is not the result of an actual count but intended to suggest infinity, the Hindu pantheon in fact contains literally hundreds of different deities [...]"
  • Knott, Kim (1998). Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
  • Nath, Vijay (2001). "From 'Brahmanism' to 'Hinduism': Negotiating the Myth of the Great Tradition". Social Scientist. 29 (3/4): 19–50. doi:10.2307/3518337. JSTOR 3518337.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.