Introduction

Introduction Introduction

Hinduism is the biggest religion of the Indian subcontinent and third biggest religion of the world. It comprises five major traditions, Vaishnavism, Brahmanism, Saurism, Shaktism, Shaivism, 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). Hindu deities are the gods and goddesses in Hinduism. The terms and epithets for deity within the diverse traditions of Hinduism vary, and include Deva, Devi, Ishvara, Ishvari, Bhagavān and Bhagavati.

Hindu deities are represented with various icons and anicons, in paintings and sculptures, called Murtis and Pratimas. Some Hindu traditions, such as ancient Charvakas, rejected all deities and concept of god or goddess. Hindu deities have been adopted in other religions such as Jainism, and in regions outside India, such as predominantly Buddhist Thailand and Japan, where they continue to be revered in regional temples or arts.

As for history, the first mention of the various Hindu gods and goddesses are found in the Vedic literature that alludes to their Indo-European origins. However, over time, like many other comparable ancient pantheons, these deities, their narratives, and their associated aspects have evolved or had been completely altered – thus mirroring the dynamic and multifarious transition from the early Vedic civilization to what we know as the present-day Indian civilization. Taking these factors into consideration, This book is a collection of some major ancient Hindu gods and goddesses you should know about.

Main Deities Main Deities

The Hindu trinity 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 the Creator Brahma the Creator Vishnu the Preserver Vishnu the Preserver Shiva the Destroyer Shiva the Destroyer

Trimūrti is the triple deity of supreme divinity in Hinduism in which the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified as a triad of deities, typically Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer, though individual denominations may vary from that particular line-up. The legendary yogi Dattatreya is often treated as not only one of the 24 avatars of Vishnu, but also of Shiva and Brahma as well in a single threeheaded body.