The Hindu View of God

1. The Hindu View of God How is it possible to describe Hinduism as Monotheistic, polytheistic and monistic?

2. 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, bahudhavadanti.""Truth is one, the wise call It by various names.“ • God is beyond definitions and cannot be limited to one name or form.

3. The Trimurtri • The 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)

4. The Hindu Pantheon • Read 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 AryaSamaj 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

5. “Explanation of the Hindu gods” video

6. Top 10 Hindu Deities • Hindus 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.

7. Top 10 Hindu deities • 2. 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

8. Top 10 Hindu deities • 3. 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

9. Top 10 Hindu deities 4. 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

10. Top 10 Hindu deities • 5. 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.

11. Top 10 Hindu deities • 6. 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

12. Top 10 Hindu deities • 7. Lakshmi • Name means "Good Luck“ • goddess of wealth • Goddess of householders, favouriteof women

13. Top 10 Hindu deities • 8. Durga • The Mother Goddess (Mahadevi Shakti) — known variously as Durga, Parvatiand 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.

14. Top 10 Hindu deities • 9. 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

15. Top 10 Hindu deities • 10. 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.