1. India – Hindu Gods By Katherine Snow

2. Vishnu Buddha Krishna Rama Brahma Saraswati Shiva Durga Lakshmi Hindu Gods Brahman ~ OM

3. Brahman ~ OM • The Supreme, the all powerful, indescribable, inexhaustible, omniscient, original, first, eternal • Has no beginning, has no end. • Is omnipresent, in every living thing, all other gods. • Is the big guy, all other Gods are part of him.

4. Brahma ~ The Creator • One of the Trinity • Source of intelligence and creativity • Created the material world. • Born from an egg. • Has 4 arms and faces. • Rides a swan. • A.K.A. Prajapati, dhata (one who gives) & Vidhata (Supreme)

5. Saraswati • Goddess of knowledge & the arts • Female form, Wife of Brahma • Rules the intellectual and creative realm • Protects libraries and schools. • Wears a white sari & no jewelry. • Rides a swan • Often shown holding a book & a flute in 2 of her 4 arms

6. Vishnu ~ The Protector • Hindu God • Cares for the welfare of all humans. • Protects against disaster. • Gives guidance. • Creates order in the universe. • Kind, good & moral • Has 4 arms. • One of the Trinity • Has 10 incarnations or avatars.

7. Hindu god Destroys so new can be created. Not concerned with humans or well-being. Represents Ego and Ignorance. Has 4 arms. One of the Trinity Shiva ~ The Destroyer

8. Durga • Female form, wife of Shiva • Two fierce, very powerful forms: Durga (goddess beyond reach) & Kali (goddess of destruction). • Slayer of Demons of Ignorance • Combats Demons of Disorder. • A.K.A. Parvati, Lalitha • Rides a lion. • Has 8 arms. • Mother of Ganesha and Kartikeya • Adored by married women for a happy married life to Shiva

9. Lakshmi • Hindu goddess of prosperity & wealth • Loves flowers. • Consort of Shiva. • Symbolizes good fortune. • Deity honored at festival of Divali. • Has 4 arms.

10. 10 Avatars 1. The fish Matsya 2. The turtle Kurma 3. The boar Varaha 4. The man-lion Narasimha 5. The dwarf Vamana 6. The warrior-priest Parashurama 7. The prince Rama 8. The cowherd Krishna 9. The sage Buddha-Mayamoha 10. The horseman Kalki When there is disorder in the universe, Vishnu either battles with the forces of chaos, or he sends one of his Avatars (or incarnations) to save the world. It is believed that Vishnu has ten Avatars, incarnations, the most popular being Rama and Krishna.

11. Prince Rama ~ 7th Avatar of Vishnu. • One of the most loved deities in India. • Came to the world to help protect humankind & to kill the demon king, Ravana. • Hindu’s want their sons to grow up to be like Rama. • Often accompanied by Hanuman.

12. Hanuman ~ the Monkey King • Son of Vayu, the Hindu god of wind • Prince Rama’s constant companion. • The ultimate hero • Symbolizes loyalty & devotion. • Represents the figure of the ideal being, humble yet brave. • His physical prowess, mental discipline & spiritual purity make him extremely popular.

13. Krishna ~ 8th avatar of Vishnu • Known for his bravery in destroying evil powers. • Killed dragons, monsters, his uncle, the tyrannical King Kamsa. • Plays the flute (murali) spreading the melody of love to his people. • Shown with Radha, a cow herder, who loved him. They symbolize the eternal love between people and god. • Radha symbolizes the human soul longing for union with the divine. • Had a pet cow.

14. Buddha ~ 9th Avatar of Vishnu • Vishnu assumed this incarnation to end to the Brahmins’ arrogance and oppression & to purify Hinduism from overwhelming rituals. • Buddha, taught that every man could deliver himself from the wheel of rebirth through a correct attitude. • Buddhism’s 4 Noble Truths: • Suffering is universal, • It is caused by desire and yearning • Suffering can be prevented and overcome. • Eradication of desires can lead to removal of suffering.