Talk:Hindu gods

The article on Hindu deities seems confusing and unorganized, so I'll write up a more organized version and see if anyone likes it... --Ne0Freedom 04:04, 9 February 2008 (UTC)

Hindu Gods

Hinduism is a diverse and flexible religion with many branches, and a Hindu can be seen as Pantheistic, Polytheistic, henotheism Monotheistic, or even Idolless and sometimes even atheist. Therefore Gods in Hinduism is a complex subject.

Also most Hindu gods are seen as standing or riding on a plant or animal, called vahan meaning vehicle or mount. It implies divinity of animals. Hinduism also has Ancestor worship

Trimurti: The Trinity

Trimurti, meaning three forms in sanskrit, (also called the Hindu Triad or Hindu Trinity) are the three aspects of God: creator, preserver & destroyer. They are Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva also called 'Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesvar'

All three forms are seen as omni-present, omni-knowledgeable, and omni-Powerful.

Brahma

Brahma is seen as the creator, presiding over procreation, and Source of Being. It's said that all souls were once part of Brahma, and therefore every being in physical form has the potential to achieve nirvana eventually, and remerge with the supreme soul once again.

Vahan: Hamsa bird

Devotees: Brahmanism

Vishnu

Vishnu is seen as the preserver; the master of past, present and future; one who supports, sustains and governs the Universe.

Vahan: Garuda

Devotees: Vaishnavas

Shiva

Shiva is seen as the destroyer, and easily impressed.

Vahan: Nandi (bull)

Devotees: Saivas

Avatars

Main article: Avatar

Many denominations of Hinduism, such as Vaishnavism and Saivism, teach that occasionally, God comes to Earth as a human being to help humans in their struggle toward enlightenment and salvation (moksha). Such an incarnation of God is called an avatāra. In some respects, the Hindu concept of avatara is similar to the belief found in Christianity that God came to the earth in the form of Jesus. In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says:

Whenever righteousness declines
And unrighteousness increases,
I make myself a body;
In every age I come back
To deliver the holy,
To destroy the sin of the sinner,
To establish righteousness.

The most famous of the divine incarnations are Rama, whose life is depicted in the Ramayana, Krishna, whose life is depicted in the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavatam. The Bhagavad Gita, which is part of Mahabharat, contains the spiritual teachings of Krishna, is one of the most widely-read scriptures in Hinduism.

Other manifestations of God

The ultimate goal for Devout Hindus is nirvana, and it dosen't matter who is worshiped or where to get there. Even so most Hindus acknowledge the presence of the other forms of god. The three major beliefs of any Hindu are Karma(one's Life's work), Dharma(Faith in God), and belief in Samsara(belief in Reincarnation).

• Shakti or meaning 'doctrine of power' emphasizes the feminine or Mother aspect of God. Sects of Shaktism are Dakshinis, Vamis, Kancheliyas and Kararis. Shakta is the male form of Shakti.

• Surya the Sun-God is worshiped by Sauras

• Ganesh seen as the Remover of Obstacles, Ganapatya

• Agni - Fire-God is the mediator in communicating with other forms of Gods in all vedic rituals; also worshiped by Parsi with the name Atar

• Skanda - Popular among Tamil Hindus, worshipers known as Kaumaras.

Branches of Hinduism

• Sikhism founded by Guru Nanak Dev concidered saint-soldiers; revered by Hindus as profession Kshatriya or 'Knight in shining armor'. It was created as a Hinduism response to the reign of the Muslim Mughal empires. A tenet of the Sikhs is "(One should) if necessary and circumstances allow, to lay his or her life down to protect the poor and weak, regardless of race, religion, sex or creed."

• Arya Samaj founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati, do not perform idol worship.

• Brahmo Samaj founded originally by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, do not perform idol worship. Sects of Brahmo Samaj are Adi(original) Brahmo Samaj and Sadharan(Simple/Common) Brahmo Samaj.

• Sannyasins meaning 'he renounces' are those who lead the Ascetic life of seclusion, meditation and divine contemplation in search for or service to God. They go by the names of Rishis, Seers, Saints, Sannyasis, Sadhus etc.

• Mīmāṃsā meaning 'investigation', is an atheist astika school of classical Hindu philosophy. The central aim of the school is to make enquiry of the nature of Dharma, interpreted as 'virtue' or 'morality'. Its core tenets are ritualism, anti-asceticism and anti-mysticism.

• Sānkhya (सांख्य) meaning Enumeration, was one of the six schools of classical Hindu philosophy; later incorporated as being one of the six astika systems of Hindu philosophy. It had both theistic and atheistic sects.

Vedic Categorization

• Astika(आस्तिक) Believe in the Vedas as supreme revealed scriptures, Orthodox Hinduism

• Nastika (नास्तिक) Reject Vedic authority, Heterodox Hinduism

Parallels of Hinduism

Religions with Hindu Ideals that consider themselves different from Hinduism.

• Buddhism founded by Gautama Buddha who sought Enlightenment disturbed by seeing the sick, aged and suffering; revered by most Hindus as Sanyasis. See Buddha from the Hindu perspective

• Jainism founded by Parsvanatha, propogated by Mahavira; revered by most Hindus as Sanyasis. See Legal status of Jainism as a distinct religion in India