THE HINDU VIEW OF GOD

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO DESCRIBE HINDUISM AS MONOTHEISTIC, POLYTHEISTIC AND MONISTIC?

GOD IN HINDU SCRIPTURES• The view of the Ultimate Reality is expressed in the

following revelation of the Rig Veda, the oldest Hindu scripture:

"Ekam sat vipraha, bahudha vadanti.""Truth is one, the wise call It by various names.“

• God is beyond definitions and cannot be limited to one name or form.

THE TRIMURTRIThe Hindu trinity (or Trimurtri) connects to the view that creation is cyclical:

Brahma –creator (with Saraswati) –not typically worshipped

Vishnu –preserver (with Lakshmi)

Shiva –destroyer (with Parvati)

THE HINDU PANTHEONRead the articles, “The Hindu Pantheon” and “Hindu Gods and their Cults” and pages 120-122 and 145-146 in Exploring World Religions (stop at “The Arya Samaj Movement”) and do the following:

Summarize each heading, combining knowledge from both sources - describe the deity (appearance, mythology, consort), and the worship of the deity – include the “top 10 Hindu deities”

 Vishnu/Vaishnavas/Vaishnavites – be sure to include the term avatar, and the names of the scriptures where avatars of Vishnu appear

 Shiva/Siva/Shaivites – include the different forms that Shiva is depicted in (e.g. Nataraja)

 Shaktis – include names of main Shakti goddesses and what they represent

“EXPLANATION OF THE HINDU GODS” VIDEO

TOP 10 HINDU DEITIESHindus have a multitude of gods and goddesses that symbolize the one abstract supreme being or Brahman.

1. Ganesha• elephant-deity riding a

mouse• son of Shiva and Parvati• lord of success and

destroyer of obstacles• very popular.

TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES2. Shiva

most powerful, complex deity in Hinduism

known by many names - Mahadeva, Nataraja

separate from those of other deities in temple

Is sometimes worshipped as a phallic symbol called the ‘Shiva Lingam

TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES3. Krishna

9th avatar of Vishnu

very popular

blue-skinned, sometimes depicted as a baby

main character of the Bhagavad Gita – most popular of Hindu scriptures

TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES4. Rama

avatar of Vishnu,

very popular symbol of chivalry and virtue - ideal son, husband

widely believed to be a historical figure - "tribal hero of ancient India”

Main character Hindu epic of Ramayana

TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES5. Hanuman

helped Rama defeat evil, rescue Sita (Ramayana)

one of the most popular

avatar of Lord Shiva

symbol of physical strength and devotion

In times of trouble, Hindus will chant his name, sing his hymn.

temples are among the most common public shrines found in India.

TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES6. Vishnu

peace-loving, Preserver or Sustainer of life

values order and truth

When these values are under threat, Vishnu emerges to restore peace

There are 10 major incarnations of Vishnu

The devout followers of Vishnu are called Vaishnavas

TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES7. Lakshmi

Name means "Good Luck“

goddess of wealth

Goddess of householders, favourite of women

TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES8. Durga

The Mother Goddess (Mahadevi Shakti) — known variously as Durga, Parvati and other names

represents the fiery powers of the gods

Durga is the divine “shakti” energy of Shiva

usually portrayed as riding a lion, and carrying weapons in her many arms

She is the protector of the righteous, and destroyer of evil.

TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES9. Kali

Kali (dark goddess) is the ferocious form of mother goddess Durga

was born from the brow of Durga during a battle with evil forces

She stands on the chest

of her husband, Shiva.

She carries weapons and wears a necklace of human skulls and a skirt of arms

TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES10. Saraswati

goddess of knowledge and learning

Veda lessons often begin with chants to her - mother of the Vedas

The goddess of art and music

daughter of Shiva and Durga

She endows human beings with speech, wisdom and learning.