Who are the Hindu Deities?
According to Hinduism, also referred to as Sanatan dharma | Trimurti(Eternal Order), Brahman is the one supreme reality or the underlying divine entity behind everything. But there are also a multitude of individual gods and goddesses, each with different roles and dedicated worshippers. In this way, Hinduism can be viewed as both monotheistic, having only one god, and also polytheistic, having many gods. Hinduism consists of a compilation of different philosophies, rituals, cultural practices, and traditions. Because of this, there is a wide diversity in Hindu beliefs and practice, both throughout history and among different communities, with many considering Hinduism more a way of life than a religion.
Who are the Main Hindu gods?
The three main Hindu gods of Sanatan dharma are referred to as the Trimurti and are considered the three forms or faces of Brahman, the ultimate reality. The names of these three gods are Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva, and each of them has a distinct role and manifests different aspects of Brahman.
The gods of the Trimurti are not simply aspects of Brahman; they are also individual gods in their own right and they take on a variety of incarnations or avatars. While Vishnu and Shiva are widely worshipped, each with their own set of devout followers, Brahma is rarely worshipped in Hinduism. The concept of the Trimurti did not appear in the earliest sacred writings and may have been a later attempt to unify the worshippers of various Hindu gods and to establish more harmony and syncretism.
Brahma
॥ ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं क्लीं सौह सतचिद एकं ब्रह्माे ॥
Brahma, the god of creation, is typically depicted with four heads and four arms and is red in color. This symbolizes the importance of four in many aspects of Hindu belief, such as the four Vedas, which are credited to Brahma. In Brahma’s four arms are the Vedas, a goblet or water pot, a lotus, prayer beads, and a scepter in the form of a spoon. Brahma is the god who brought all things into being and is depicted as the creator in the creation stories.
Compared to Vishnu and Shiva, Brahma is rarely worshipped in Hinduism today, and there are very few temples dedicated to him. This lack of worship is attributed either to the fact that his work of creation is complete or that he received a punishment for some kind of wrongdoing. While there are stories of Brahma coming to earth in the Puranas, these avatars are not recognized or worshipped in the same way as those of Vishnu and Shiva
Vishnu, which means “all-pervasive”, is the god who preserves, sustains, and protects the universe, and pervades all of creation. In this role, Vishnu returns to earth in the form of an avatar whenever he needs to restore the balance of good and evil in creation. He has ten prominent avatars or manifestations, the most famous of which are Rama and Krishna, who are widely revered and worshipped. Vishnu is usually displayed with four hands, which hold a lotus, conch shell, mace, and a discus weapon.
Vishnu is popular throughout the sacred Hindu texts as well as in Hindu worship today. The Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana are two well-known Hindu texts that consist of narratives about Vishnu. The Vishnu Sahasranama, a Sanskrit hymn, gives a thousand names for Vishnu and is popularly recited by his followers. Vishnu’s female cohort is Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, and she is often depicted alongside him
Vishnu
कायेन वाचा मनसेन्द्रियैर्वा । बुद्ध्यात्मना वा प्रकृतिस्वभावात् । करोमि यद्यत्सकलं परस्मै । नारायणयेति समर्पयामि ॥
Shiva
न पुण्यं न पापं न सौख्यं न दु:खं न मन्त्रो न तीर्थं न वेदो न यज्ञः | अहं भोजनं नैव भोज्यं न भोक्ता चिदानन्द रूप: शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम् ||
The role of (sanatan dharma)Shiva, the god of destruction, is to destroy the universe so that it can be recreated or renewed. He also destroys that which is imperfect to prepare the way for what is perfect. He tends toward extremes and is often considered to hold contradictory realities, such as destruction and creation, good and evil, or asceticism and hedonism. While there is variety in how Shiva is portrayed, he typically has four arms, a garland of skulls, a third eye, and a snake around his neck, representing his power over dangerous creatures. In many depictions, he is also dancing and holding a trident. Whenever he appears as a human incarnation, his face is blue. He is often portrayed in the pose of a yogi, is associated with meditation, and rides on the bull Nandi.
| Name | Main Role or Purpose | Notable Incarnations or Avatars | Worshippers | Female Consort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brahma | Creator | Rarely worshipped | Saraswati (Sarasvati) | |
| Vishnu | Preserver | Rama, Krishna | Worshipped as the supreme god by Vaishnavites | Laxmi (Shri) |
| Shiva | Destroyer | Nataraja, Bhairava, Ardhanarishvara | Worshipped as the supreme god by Shaivists | Parvati (Durga or Kali or Sati) |