hindu mythology

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Week 12 ENG 107 / CC ENG 2 Hindu Mythology

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Page 1: Hindu mythology

Week 12Week 12 ENG 107 / CC ENG 2ENG 107 / CC ENG 2

Hindu MythologyHindu Mythology

Page 2: Hindu mythology

Background:

• Hindu mythology dates back to as early as 7200 BC.

• This is the time when the first hymns of the Rig Veda was composed.

Page 3: Hindu mythology

Rig Veda• an anthology of 1028 hymns to

various gods• Began as a celebration of

natural elements such as Air, Water and Fire

• Converted into the worship of cosmic elements

• Formed the triad of the early VEDIC gods

Page 4: Hindu mythology

VEDIC GODS

(cosmic trinity)

Page 5: Hindu mythology

AGNI (Fire)• Vital spark in the earth,

lightning in the sky, and SURYA, the sun

• He is the sap in the plants, which is carried down to them by the rain.

• Has 7 tongues, each of which has a separate name and in being used for licking up butter offered in sacrifices

Page 6: Hindu mythology

VAYU (Wind)• He drives his horses

furiously.• God of the wind, rapid

motion and the Father of fleet-footed

• Father of Hanuman• Generally associated with

Indra• Other names are Pavana,

Gandha-Vaha and Satata-ga

Page 7: Hindu mythology

SURYA (Center of the Spheres)

• Other name is Savitri (brilliance)

• Married to Sanjana and Chhaya

• Abode is called Suryaloka

Page 8: Hindu mythology

puranIC GODS

(hindu trinity OR TRIMURTI)

Page 9: Hindu mythology

BRAHMA (CREATOR)

• Born of the golden egg, Hiranyagarbha

• Also said to have sprung from Vishnu’s navel, on a lotus

• He is the uncreated creator (Svayambhu)

• Lord of scholarship• 4 Vedas came from his mouth• From his body, came the 4 castes

of the Hindus: Brahmans (priests) – mouth, Kshatriyas (soldiers) – arms, Vaishyas (traders) – thigh, Sudras (menial workers) - feet

Page 10: Hindu mythology

VISHNU (PRESERVER)

• The Preserver• Vehicle: garuda (bird)• has 4 arms, a blueish

complexion, and rests on a snake

• was incarnated (born as an animal or human) nine times with one more still to come

• is the main god of Vaishnavism

Page 11: Hindu mythology

SHIVA (DESTROYER)

• The Destroyer / Transformer• Vehicle: bull• has matted hair, a third eye, a

blue throat and a trident in his hand

• often worshipped in the featureless lingam form

• is the main god of Saivism

Page 12: Hindu mythology

FEMALE ASPECTS

(hindu trinity OR TRIMURTI)

Page 13: Hindu mythology

SARASWATI

• Goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts

• Vehicle: swan• wife of Brahma• sits on a white lotus playing a

veena

Page 14: Hindu mythology

LAKSHMI

• Goddess of wealth and prosperity

• Vehicle: owl• wife of Vishnu• usually shown bestowing coins

and flanked by elephants

Page 15: Hindu mythology

PARVATI

• The Divine Mother• Vehicle: lion• the reincarnation of Shiva's

first wife• has many forms, such as the

popular Durga and Kali (see below); often shown together with Saraswati and Lakshmi as the tridevi ('triple goddess')

Page 16: Hindu mythology

OTHER POPULAR

GODS

Page 17: Hindu mythology

GANESH

• God of the intellect and the remover of obstacles

• Vehicle: mouse• son of Shiva & Parvati• has an elephant's head

Page 18: Hindu mythology

MURUGAN

• God of war• Vehicle: peacock• son of Shiva & Parvati• popular in Tamil areas• also known as Skanda

Page 19: Hindu mythology

DURGA

• A fiercer form of Parvati

• Vehicle: tiger• has ten arms

holding many weapons

Page 20: Hindu mythology

KALI

• Goddess of time and death

• Vehicle: donkey• usually

portrayed as dark and violent

Page 21: Hindu mythology

RAMA

• The 7th avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu

• the central figure in the epic storyRamayana

Page 22: Hindu mythology

RAMA

• The 7th avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu

• the central figure in the epic story Ramayana

Page 23: Hindu mythology

KRISHNA

• The 8th avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu

• usually portrayed as a child and a prankster; often shown playing the flute

Page 24: Hindu mythology

HANUMAN

• an ape-like god known for assisting Rama