Avatars and Consort

1. Avatars and Consort

2. Quick review • Brahman • Abstract concept • Neti neti (not this not that) • = to Atman- soul of the universe • Not same as human soul (jiva) • Trimurti • Brahma – the creator god- ancient/old, king • Not same as Brahman • Vishnu – the sustainer god- sits on the coils of the snake god adisesha • Shiva – the destroyer god, Lord of the dance, Lingam • Monism- Trimurti= to Brahman

4. DEVI The three gods of the Trimurti are portrayed as masculine But Hinduism recognizes the female aspects of divinity. The Great Mother aka Devi (meaning goddess) is portrayed in many forms and can be both loving and cruel She is especially harsh to those who show themselves unworthy of her love.

5. Shakti – Consort/Wife goddess • The important role of the Divine Feminine is also seen in the female consorts who accompany many male deities • The Divine Feminine are so much a part of the male god that the god cannot be active without his consort • Each god has a “wife” aka Shakti • Shakti means “energies” – because they allow the male gods to be effective in the human world. • However, a god’s Shakti is symbolic of the god’s creative force. • The shakti of a god is literally his other half. • Hindu gods are not “complete” without their shakti, and vice versa.

6. Brahma & Saraswati • Saraswati is the consort of Brahma • She is far more popular than Brahma himself. • She is the patron of music, the arts, and culture • She is often portrayed with a musical instrument in her hand

7. SARAsWATI

8. Vishnu & Lakshmi The shakti of Vishnu is the goddess Lakshmi She is commonly dressed as a queen and sits on a lotus She dispenses good luck and protection

9. LAKSHMI

10. Shiva & Parvati • Goddess of love and devotion. • Often pictured along side of Shiva • Parvati is maternal, loving, and voluptuous. • Takes the forms of Durga and Kali.

11. Shiva and Parvati

13. The Avatars of Vishnu • There are ten avatars (incarnations) of Vishnu- one is still to appear. • They are worshipped as individual deities in their own right. • The avatar will arrive in a time when a wrong must be righted. • They vary from creature to person. • Animal form: a fish, a boar, and a tortoise • Siddhartha Gautama aka the Buddha • The avatar yet to come will be a savior figure on horseback who will judge the human race. • Two incarnations (avatars) are wildly popular: Rama and Krishna

14. Parasurama – “Rama with an Ax” • Rama - King • Krishna – “The all attractive one” • Buddha – historical founder of Buddhism • Kalki – Apocalyptic figure • Matsya - fish • Kurma - turtle • Varaha - boar • Narasimha/ Narasingha – Man-lion • Vamana - dwarf

15. RAMA Rama and Vishnu are the same. Rama appears in the great epic the Ramayana- stories of Rama On of the most commonly told stories concerns the abduction of Rama’s wife- Sita Sita was captured by Ravan (or Ravana) the demon king of Sri Lanka. Rama is a king Rama gains the help of Hanuman, leader of the monkeys to fight Ravan Hanuman helps Rama in killing Ravan and in locating and returning Sita.

17. Rama and Sita

18. Hanuman – Monkey King • The perfect devotee • Often pictured on one knee with his chest opened to reveal Vishnu and Lakshmi. (Rama and Sita)

21. KRISHNA Another incarnation (Avatar) of Vishnu He steals butter and plays the flute His face and skin are often blue- the color of the sky and of heaven, indicating his true otherworldly nature. His companion is Radha- whom he is romantically linked in the Hindu mind.

24. Krishna and Radha

25. Avatars of Parvati

26. Durga • The Divine Feminine appears as several goddesses • The most populars are Durga and Kali • Durga means “awe-inspiring” or “distant” • The goddess Durga is frequently represented with ten arms, full of implements used to destroy evil • Durga’s face is serene, surrounded by a halo • She wears a crown • She rides a tiger – which helps her conquer all dangerous obstacles.

27. Durga

28. Kali • Kali means “dark” • Kali is more fearsome still • She is often shown wearing a necklace of human skulls, and her fanged teeth drip with blood • Her many arms are full of weapons- which are thought to be dangerous to enemies but protective of her children

29. Kali – goddess of Divine Wrath • Goddess of Divine Wrath. • She is the protector of women and girls. • Often pictured riding on the body of a demon or her husband, Shiva. • Wears a necklace of demon heads and a skirt of demon arms.

31. Ganesha – Remover of Obstacles and Good Fortune • Easy to spot because of his elephant head. • One tusk. • Fat belly. • Students pray to this god to help them in their studies

32. Ganesh • Ganesh or ganesha • He represents harmony, energy and success in overcoming obstacles • He is the son of Parvati and Shiva

33. Ganesha was created by Paravati to guard her privacy. Shiva came to see her wife, but the boy would not let him in. They fought and Shiva cut his head off. When Paravati found out, she was very upset threatening to destroy the heavens. Shiva saw how much Parvati loved the boy and ordered his men to find a head for the boy. The first creature they encountered was an elephant. They cut his head off to take it to Shiva. Shiva then put on the boy’s body and gave him life.

34. The word Ganesha is formed by two different words: Gana- meaning follower of Shiva Isha- meaning lord Ganesha rides a mouse