Hindu gods• Pleasing the gods are a part

of fulfilling dharma and receiving good kharma

• People will devote themselves to their own personal or family god

• Hindus can identify new gods to help them in their worship

• The main trinity of gods– Brahma– Vishnu– Shiva

Brahma• “The Creator”• Created the world and

produced the human race• Hindus believe that all other

gods originate from Brahma• Four faces stand for the four

corners of the universe.• He holds a sacrificial ladle,

the four Vedas, a jar of holy water from the Ganges, and a necklace of prayer beads

Vishnu• “The Preserver”• Role is to maintain a

balance between good and evil powers in the universe

• Returns to earth in different forms, both animal and human (avatars or incarnations) including the Buddha

• Most important Rama and Krishna- Subjects in the Hindu Epics

Shiva• “The Destroyer/Purifier”• Responsible for change

both in the form of death and in the positive sense of the shedding of old habits

• Dances in a halo of fire, representing the cycle of birth and death

• Snakes symbolize Shiva’s power over evil forces