Video:Introduction to Major Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Transcript:Introduction to Major Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Ganesha Is the Most Recognizable of the Major Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Easily recognizable as the elephant deity riding a mouse, Ganesha is arguably the most popular Hindu god. Ganesha is depicted as having a curved trunk, big ears, and a huge pot-bellied body of a human being.

He is the lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles. He is also worshiped as the god of knowledge, wisdom and wealth.

Shiva Is the Most Powerful of the Major Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Shiva is the most powerful, complex and fascinating deity in Hinduism, who represents death and dissolution.

Shiva is known by many names: Mahadeva, Pashupati, Nataraja, Vishwanath, Bhole Nath. Shiva is worshiped as a stone symbol called the "Shiva Lingam."

Krishna Is the Most Beloved of the Major Hindu Gods and Goddesses

The great exponent of the Gita, Krishna, is one of the most beloved gods. This blue-skinned deity has influenced Indian thought, life and culture, not only through religion and philosophy, but also its mysticism and literature, painting and sculpture, dance and music, and folklore.

Rama Embodies Truth Among the Major Hindu Gods and Goddesses

The most popular symbol of chivalry and virtue, Rama is "the embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband, and above all, the ideal king."

He is widely believed to be an actual historical figure, a "hero of ancient India," whose story forms the great Hindu epic of Ramayana.

Hanuman Symbolizes Strength Among the Major Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Hanuman, the mighty ape that aided Rama in his expedition against evil forces, described in the epic Ramayana, is one of the most popular idols in the Hindu pantheon.

Hanuman is worshiped as a symbol of physical strength, perseverance and devotion. Hanuman temples are among the most common public shrines found in India.

Vishnu Is the Preserver Among the Major Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Vishnu is the Preserver or Sustainer of life with his steadfast principles of order, righteousness and truth. When these values are under threat, Vishnu emerges out of his transcendence to restore peace and order on earth.

Vishnu's earthly incarnations have 10 major avatars. Vishnu is popularly worshiped as Lord Venkateshwara in southern India.

Lakshmi Is Good Luck Among the Major Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Goddess Lakshmi means "Good Luck" to Hindus, and she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual, and the consort of Vishnu. She is the household goddess of most Hindu families.

Lakshmi is depicted as a beautiful woman of golden complexion, with four hands, sitting or standing on a full-bloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud, which stands for beauty, purity and fertility.

Durga Is the Mother Goddess Among the Major Hindu Gods and Goddesses

The Mother Goddess, known variously as Durga, Bhavani, Sherawali, Amba, Chandika, Gauri, Parvati and Vaishno Devi, represents the fiery powers of the gods.

The name "Durga" means "inaccessible," and she is the personification of the divine "shakti" energy of Lord Shiva. Durga is usually portrayed as riding a lion, and carrying weapons in her many arms. She is the protector of the righteous, and destroyer of the evil.

Kali Is the Dark Goddess Among the Major Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Kali, or the dark goddess, is the fearful and ferocious form of the mother goddess Durga. She is depicted as having born from the brow of Goddess Durga during one of her battles with the evil forces.

Kali is represented with perhaps the fiercest features amongst all the world's deities. Her tongue protrudes from her mouth, her eyes are red, and her face and breasts are sullied with blood. She stands with one foot on the thigh, and another on the chest of her husband, Shiva.

Saraswati Represents Knowledge Among the Major Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and learning, represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. She is the mother of the Vedas, and chants to her, called the "Saraswati Vandana," often begin and end Vedic lessons.

The goddess of wisdom, art and music, she is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. It is believed that goddess Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning.

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