Brief Overview of Hindu Gods and Goddesses

• All relate to Brahman• Represent particular attribute or aspect • Associated with a “vehicle” – bird or animal

on which it rides

Brahma

• The Creator• Made himself into half

woman, half man• Not currently widely

worshipped• First part of the trinity:

Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma

Shiva• The destroyer• Death, destruction, and

the shedding of old habits

• Takes many forms, sometimes with five heads

• Self-controlled and celibate while a lover of his spouse(s)

Vishnu

• Sustainer or preserver of life

• Stands for righteousness and truth

• Values under threat…Vishnu appears!

• Restores peace and order

• 10 avatars

Krishna• Dark and extremely

handsome• Means “black” or

mysterious• Leader, hero, protector,

philosopher, teacher and friend all rolled into one

• Thought to have lived between 3200 and 3100 BC

• Incarnation of Vishnu

Ganesha

• Lord of Success• Man’s body, elephant

head • Often riding a mouse• Destroyer of

selfishness, vanity and pride