Discover the most important Hindu Gods. Surprise yourself with their myths, legends and find the legends that endure in history.
Hindu Gods
Among the most important Hindu gods are the Holy Triad of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the creator, sustainer and destroyer of worlds (in that order). Sometimes all three may appear in the form of an avatar, embodied by a Hindu god or goddess. But the most popular of these gods and goddesses are important deities in their own right.
Most important and revered Hindu Gods
It is important to tell you that for Hindus, there is a single, universal god known as the Supreme Being or Brahman. Hinduism also has numerous gods and goddesses, known as devas, who represent one or more of the aspects of Brahman, but this does not mean that other Hindu gods are revered, among which we can mention.
1.- Ganesha
The son of Shiva and Parvati, the elephant god Ganesha is the lord of success, knowledge and wealth. Ganesha is worshipped by all sects of Hinduism, making him perhaps the most important of the Hindu gods. He is typically depicted riding a mouse, which helps the deity remove barriers to success, whatever the endeavor.
2.- Shiva
Shiva represents death and dissolution, destroying worlds so that they can be recreated by Brahma. But he is also considered the master of dance and regeneration. One of the deities of the Hindu Trinity. He is known by many names, including Mahadeva, Pashupati, Nataraja, Vishwanath, and Bhole Nath. When not depicted in his blue-skinned human form, Shiva is often represented as a phallic symbol called the Shiva Lingam.
3.- Krishna
One of the most beloved Hindu gods, blue-skinned Krishna is the deity of love and compassion. He is often depicted with a flute, which he uses for his seductive powers. Krishna is the central character in the Hindu scripture “Bhagavad Gita” as well as an avatar of Vishnu, the sustainer of the Hindu Trinity. Krishna is widely revered among Hindus, and his followers are known as Vaishnavas.
4.- Rama
Rama is the god of truth and virtue and another avatar of Vishnu. He is considered the perfect embodiment of humanity: mentally, spiritually and physically. Unlike other Hindu gods and goddesses, Rama is widely believed to be a real historical figure whose exploits form the great Hindu epic “Ramayana”. The Hindu faithful celebrate him during Diwali, the festival of light.
5.- Hanuman
The monkey-faced Hanuman is worshipped as a symbol of physical strength, perseverance, service and scholarly devotion. This divine primate aided Lord Rama in his battle against the forces of evil, described in the epic ancient Indian poem “Ramayana”. In difficult times, it is common among Hindus to chant Hanuman’s name or his hymn, “Hanuman Chalisa”. Hanuman temples are among the most common public shrines found in India.
6.- Vishnu
The peace-loving deity of the Hindu Trinity, Vishnu is the preserver or sustainer of life. He represents the principles of order, justice and truth. His consort is Lakshmi, the goddess of domesticity and prosperity. The Hindu faithful who pray to Vishnu, called Vaishnavas, believe that in times of disorder, Vishnu will emerge from his transcendence to restore peace and order on earth.
7.- Lakshmi
Lakshmi’s name comes from the Sanskrit word laksya, meaning aim or goal. She is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. Lakshmi is depicted as a four-armed woman with a golden complexion, holding a lotus bud while sitting or standing on a huge lotus flower. The deity of beauty, purity and domesticity, Lakshmi’s image is often found in the homes of the faithful.
8.- Durga
Durga is the mother goddess and represents the fiery powers of the gods. She is the protector of the righteous and destroyer of evil, usually depicted as riding a lion and carrying weapons in her many arms.
9.- Kali
Kali, also known as the dark goddess, appears as a fierce four-armed woman with blue or black skin. She stands above her husband Shiva, who lies peacefully beneath her feet. Drenched in blood, with her tongue hanging out, Kali is the goddess of death and represents the relentless march of time towards the day of reckoning.
10.- Saraswati
Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, art and music. She represents the free flow of consciousness. The daughter of Shiva and Durga, Saraswati is the mother of the Vedas. Chants to her, called Saraswati Vandana, often begin and end with lessons on how Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech and wisdom.
11.- Brahma
The first deity of the Hindu trinity, Lord Brahma, is considered the god of Creation, including the cosmos and all its beings. Brahma also symbolizes the mind and intellect, as he is the source of all knowledge necessary for the universe.
Typically you will find Brahma represented with four faces, symbolizing the fullness of his knowledge, as well as four hands each representing an aspect of the human personality (mind, intellect, ego and consciousness).
Conclusion
Knowing a little about the Hindu gods will certainly enrich your pilgrimage to India. It is said that there are 33 million gods in Hinduism symbolizing an abstract Supreme Being. The 11 Hindu gods we summarized above will allow you to have a broader view of the deities you can worship and obtain the desired benefit.
