Gods And Goddesses Flashcards
Who are the Trimurti?
Brahma (creator), Vishnu (sustainer) and Shiva (destroyer); each of the Trimurti have avatars, partners, children and helpers
What is Brahman?
The universal spirit behind all things. Too abstract so split into 3: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva (Trimurti).
The ultimate reality
Who is Brahma?
Creator (Trimurti) - self creating;
Consort = Saraswati;
Vehicle = swan (wisdom);
Attributes = 4 heads, beads, swan
Represents: purity, worship, knowledge;
Less popular - seldom worshipped(once a year);
Myths: made a new partner, seduced own daughter
Who is Vishnu?
Sustainer (Trimurti) - rules + sustains creation;
Consort = Lakshmi;
Vehicle = cobra Ananta (infinity);
Attributes = blue (cosmic), disc, conch shell;
Represents: power, battle;
Avatars: Rama, Krishna (Sita = Lakshmi); many different forms
Who is Shiva?
Destroyer (Trimurti) - recreates it (good+evil);
Consort = Parvati;
Vehicle = bull Nandi (often at front of Mandir);
Attributes = blue (cosmic), simple, 3rd eye (wisdom), vibhuti (wealth/power);
Represents: untamed energy/passion, wisdom, power, compassion, against lust/greed/anger;
Avatars: Nataraja (Lord of the Dance - creative), Lingum (energy to generate life - cosmic pillar), Hanuman, (son = Ganesh)
Who is Krishna (+ Radha)?
Avatar of Vishnu;
Consort = Radha;
Vehicle = peacock (opens to heavenly music);
Attributes = cow-girls, crown, flute (enchanting);
Represents: youth (God never dies), pure/divine love;
Avatars: Govinda, flute player, child (with Radha), divine Guru
Very popular - many people only worship him;
Myths: born a prince, brought up as poor cow-herd (uncle wants to kill him)
Who is Rama?
Avatar of Vishnu;
Consort = Sita (perfect womanhood);
Attributes = crown, bow + arrows, Lakshman (brother) + Hanuman (devotee);
Represents: embodiment of Dharma,selfcontrol, unbreakable bond (R+S);
Very popular;
Myths: Ramayana (against evil Ravana), Diwali
Hierarchy
Shakti - BRAHMAN - Atman
/ | \
BRAHMA VISHNU SHIVA
/ | \
Saraswati Lakshmi Parvati
(Sita)
/ | \
Swan Rama Nataraja
| \
Krishna Lingum
\
Hanuman (S)
\
Ganesh (S)
Who is Hanuman?
Avatar of Shiva;
No consort - devoted to his cause.;
Attributes = monkey face, mace, island);
Represents: courage, hope, knowledge, devotion, strength;
Very popular;
Son of the wind God
Rewarded with long life + eternal youth
Who is Lakshmi?
Wife of Vishnu;
Vehicle = owl;
Attributes = money, red/pink, 4 hands (4 goals), elephants;
Represents: good fortune, wealth, good health, joyful family life;
Friday is her worship day;
Myths: Diwali - Hindus clean their homes to welcome her
Who is Saraswati?
Consort of Brahma;
Vehicle = swan (knowledge);
Attributes = white, 4 arms, instrument, peacock;
Represents: learning, knowledge, wisdom, creative power of Brahma, ‘essence of self’;
Worshipped by students, teachers, scholars, scientists
Who is Ganesh?
Son of Shiva and Parvati;
Vehicle = mouse (keeps greed/desire in check);
Attributes = elephant head, axe, Prashaad, broken tusk;
Represents: remover of obstacles, rewards you for devotion (+punishes those who stray), wisdom, learning;
Worshipped first - near front of temple;
Worshipped by people undertaking/starting things
Myths: tusk broken off by Lord Shiva (father) while guarding Parvati (mother)
What is the Atman?
The real self which is inside all living things. When they die it passes from them, and it comes from Brahman (the great universe of energy); the Atman is what survives death, not us.
The inner self, as a reflection of the divinity of humankind
What is Shakti?
The Goddess female energy which gives life or actuates the male God; as Shakti, she is able to initiate the power of God, like the ‘yeast that activates the bread. Shakti includes: Parvati (gentle/loving), Lakshmi (protects/generous), Saraswati (pure/knowledge), Kali and Durga (both have hand raised - protect + goodness replaces evil)
Who is Durga?
A form of Shakti; she has power over wild and threatening things, and is a brave heroine riding a tiger with weapons in her may arms (control+kill demon buffalo which represents ignorance/selfishness)
