Hindu gods

1. Hindu gods Vishnu Ganesh Kali Lakshmi Rama

2. Ganesh • Rumour has it that Ganesh was created by a goddess called Parvati. She was the Lord Shiva's companion. • It is said that Parvati created Ganesh from sandalwood paste, which she used to bath, and then breathed life into him. • Ganesh guarded Parvati while she bathed. • Shiva beheaded Ganesh because Ganesh didn't recognise him and Ganesha wouldn't let him in. • Shiva did not know he beheaded his own son and had to replace his head with an elephant one. • In India people started praying for Ganesh around 500BC,during the Guptan period.

3. Vishnu • Vishnu is part of the Hindu Triad – (The three great gods – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). Vishnu is the preserver. • The name Vishnu means – one who has entered into everything. • As an Icon Vishnu has four arms – the upper right hand holds the discus – symbol of the cosmic mind and reminder of the wheel of time • The lower right hand holds the conch – symbol of the sound ohm – origin of existence • The upper left hand holds a lotus – the symbol for the moving universe and the symbol of all things good. For example, eternity. • The lower left hand holds the mace – the symbol of the notion of existence

4. Brahma • Brahma is the creator • It is thought that Brahma grew in a lotus from Vishnu’s belly button • He made a goddess out of himself (one half woman, the other half man) in order to create the world and the human race • He has four heads but used to have five - the four extra heads appeared when Gayatri tried to escape from his gaze because she was ashamed of his love for her. He lost one of his heads because he lied to Vishnu and this made Shiva angry

5. Shiva • Shiva is the destroyer but he dissolves the universe for creation of the next cycle. • He has numerous tasks so he is symbolised in different ways. • The crescent moon shown at the side of his head as an ornament symbolises the time cycle through which creation evolves from beginning to end. • A snake around his neck symbolises yogic power, the venom of a snake also symbolises yogic power because it hoards nothing, carries nothing and lives on air for a long time. • Shiva sitting on a tiger skin illustrates the idea that he is the source of creative energy.

6. Lakshmi • Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. • She is also called Shri and is the devine spouse of Vishnu. • Images of her show she has four arms and four hands. • The four arms show four directions in space. • The four hands represent four ends of human life – righteousness, genuine desires, wealth and liberation from birth and death.

7. Kali • Kali known as the fearful goddess with the heart of a mother. • She got so carried away in one battle that she began destroying everything in sight. • In order to stop her Shiva threw himself underneath her and she was so shocked at this sight she stuck her tongue out in astonishment and put an end to her homicidal rampage. • This is where the image of her with a foot on Shiva’s chest with her tongue stuck out comes from

8. Rama • Rama is known as the ideal son, husband and king • He is said to have taken life on earth to rid the evil forces of age. • Images are often shown as a standing figure with an arrow in his right hand, a bow in his left and a quiver (container for arrows) on his back.