Hanuman (He Does Not Have a Vahana). Upon the partnership between the deity and his vahana is woven much iconography and Hindu theology. He is known by various names like Murugan, Shanmukha, Kumaraswamy, etc. Read fascinating stories of various celestial creatures in our title Divine Beings on the ACK Comics app and Kindle, as well as all major e-tailers. Why Is The Hungry Ghost Festival Celebrated In August? Vishnu mount carries Vishnu to Vaikuntha (Heaven), where he lives. All the Hindu gods and Hindu goddesses are represented as using vahanas to separate themselves; each vehicle is very different and even more symbolical. So important are the vahanas that deities are seldom depicted without their corresponding creatures. Varuna (the water god) rides the waves on a crocodile. Your email address will not be published. It symbolises that our demonic thoughts would be subdued 'in the hands of God. Lakshmi, goddess of fortune, dispenses both material and spiritual riches from her mount, Uluka the owl. According to the ancient Hindu texts, Garuda, the king of birds, is a replica of the Vedas (vedatma vihamgeswara), while Lord Vishnu is the God of the Vedas. I have not come across this concept for gods of other cultures. He is to make his entry into the world along with his vahana in future. Tags: Aspects of Lord Ganesha, Ganesh Chaturthi Stories, Lord Ganesha. Symbolization is widely used in Hindu scriptures. Lord Ganesha was known as the remover of obstacles. And treat animals with humanity and the utmost respect. Yama Male Buffalo. He is not very popularly known amongst the Brahmanas and is mainly worshipped by non-brahmins or the lower castes and tribes. For example, Indra the Storm God, carries thunderbolts as his weapons and is also a bringer of rains. Durga Lion Certain ceremonies involve dogs in practices like giving food to dogs for particular doshas or problems in astrology.. The vegetable gets its name from Murugan and Kai. Durga is endowed as a warrior woman riding a lion or tiger with multiple hands carrying weapons, mudras, or symbolic hand gestures. Some deities have more than one vahana. Shiva is one of the most complex gods of India, embodying seemingly contradictory qualities. The royal couple realized that he was god. Once this was done, then the gods would reward the patron or the organiser []. This is when the farmers have just reaped a rich harvest and have stocked their granaries with food grains. HindusInfo.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Therefore it is regarded as a chaste bird. A multiple-choice quiz by xaosdog . Also known as Vahana's for Deity. It is interesting how each of them has its significance and meaning.. In Hinduism its also considered the supreme of all animals. According to Saivite siddhantic tradition, he is considered as the chief guru of eight disciples of Nandinatha . Bheema's mother Kunti, who had the boon of having children with any god she pleased with, once prayed to Lord Vayu for a son. Some hold that similar analyses could be performed cross-culturally for any of the other Hindu divine vehicles, and in each case, any parallels with the values assigned to animal totems in other cultures are likely to be either coincidence, or inevitable (as in linking bulls to virility), rather than evidence of parallel development. Images of the vahana are also used on banners and emblems to identify the god or the cult affiliation of the devotee. Subhamoy Das is the co-author of "Applied Hinduism: Ancient Wisdom for Today's World." Durga has the role of a warrior goddess who destroys demons. Its believed that Kalki, an incarnation of Vishnu, will come galloping on a white horse, to usher in Satya Yuga, the age of truth and virtues. Trishanku, a king of Ikshvaku race, wished to ascend heaven in his mortal body. Sarama is the female dog, who is considered as the mother of all dogs. Airavata besides being Indras vahana is believed to, along with his siblings, hold up the eastern hemisphere of the globe. He put a curse on them which clipped their wings. The Hindu deity Kala Bhairava's vehicle is a dog. This mythical creature sucks water with her trunk and sprinkles it on earth thereby creating rain. The vehicles have symbolic meaning and represent the status and strength of the deities. All Rights Reserved. This indicating th. Dogs and Gods. The Sarama is the mother of all the Dogs and she resides in Svarga but her son is related to Yamraj. He is considered the god of bad luck and is also popularly called Ara, Kona, and Kroda. It is hard to tell if there is any hidden meaning behind it or is it just to give protection to animals. Vimanas, of various shapes and sizes and with two or more engines, were sophisticated flying machines equipped with deadly weapons, and though they were used for ordinary travel and transports, their main purpose was warfare. Vayu Antelope. There are many statues of various Vahanas in Hindu templesand these beings are considered to be secondary deities. Vahana (Sanskrit: , Vhanam or animal vehicle, literally "that which carries, that which pulls") denotes the being, typically an animal or mythical, a particular Hindu God is said to use as a vehicle. Brahma is usually portrayed with four heads and four arms. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/vehicles-of-the-gods-1770297. Both the boons were granted. The lion is the vahana for both Durga and Parvati. . Vishnu, the Preserver/Protector mounts an eagle-like creature called Garuda. It is hard to tell if . After which Lord Indra sends a bird but the bird ends up cheating on him by telling that Panis does not have cows and then Sarama who is also the mother of Dogs and wolves goes to Panis and battles with them honestly., This represents their vitality in progress and their role in guarding cattle. Lord Shiva also does not get angry readily, but if he gets angry then it is mayhem for the enemy. Due to this, the person doesn't meet success in any work despite constant efforts and hard work. Made of metal. Before becoming the vehicle of Shiva, Nandi was a deity called Nandikeshvara, lord of joy and master of music and dance. The vahana or vehicles of Hindu gods have mostly been animals. Drawing of a vertical section of a Vimana described on Ramayana, one of the two great epics of Hinduism. Sometimes, she also rides an elephant. Airavata first make clouds in the sky, and then he would suck up water in his tusk and dispense the water into these clouds. One of these vehicles is a Dog but which Hindu God rides on it? When it comes to What are the Hindu funeral rituals? Saraswatis Vahana is a peacock or a swan. Brahma is usually seen carrying the Vedas, a scepter, a string of prayer beads, a water pot a spoon used in making offerings in the fire sacrifice, or a bow. Hence, a river is known as Vahini, that which carries. Hindus worship Garuda as a god. Kartikeya -Peacock His mount Garuda stands for wisdom, thoughts, and incredible speeds. He seems to have been a popular war god who was also the elder brother of Lord Ganesha. 1 Answer. Indra, the god of rain and thunderstorms, rides a white elephant called Airavata. As per mythologists, the mouse is symbolic of basal desires. The owl cleanses the granaries of all pests, thereby protecting the grain. Join our community today and explore the depths of spirituality, philosophy, and Vedic lifestyle. In fact, the religion has bestowed the fur, feathers and fins species the status of divinity by linking their multifarious gods and goddesses to various animals. In this capacity, the vahana is often called the deity's "mount". Some deities have more than one vahana. These correspondences are not always consistent. For instance Garuda the eagle is the Vahana of Vishnu since he is the protector and agility is an essential quality to have for him, Nandi is the Vahana of Lord Shiva the god of destruction, the Nandi represent strength, load-bearing capacity, and virility. An animal acting as Vahana owns some magical characteristics, in that every single example of its species, either living or carved in sculptural form, bears the implicit presence of the deity associated with it. Chicken occupies a very special place in ancient cultures of the world. Traditionally, Hindu funeral rituals consist of chants or mantras, which are led by an officiant, who is usually a Hindu priest or the bereaved eldest son. At Hindusinfo.com, we learn and share every day about Hinduism methods, gurus, scriptures and its benefits. He destroyed the wheels and the machine, and carrying the pot of nectar in his beaks rose to the sky shielding the light of the sun by his outspread wings. And it was only with the help of her lion vahana that Durga manages to destroy the demon Mahishasura. Type above and press Enter to search. This peacock was originally a demon called Surapadma, while the rooster was called the angel [Krichi]. Lakshmi represents the beautiful and bountiful aspect of nature. It is derived from the word vaha means bearing, carrying. The goddess Athena of ancient Greece also had an owl as her emblematic familiar, but the meanings invested in the owls by the two different belief systems are not the same, nor are the two goddesses themselves similar, despite their mutual identification with owls. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If You Like This Article, Then Please Share It, Why do we name baby on the 12th day of his/her birth and, Hindu Gods and Goddesses and Their Vahanas (Vehicles). One cannot imagine an elephant can ride on a small rat. and also represent the evil forces over which the deity dominates. The vahanas are often depicted, where the respective god/goddess is riding on them or they're just an auspicious symbol of the respective deity. Simmi Kamboj is the Founder and Administrator of Ritiriwaz, your one-stop guide to Indian Culture and Tradition. He is said to be married to the daughter of the celestial . Image credit: Wikipedia. Press Esc to cancel. Parvani the peacock, vehicle of Kartikeya, represents splendor and majesty. Currently, Kaliyug, or age of vice, is ongoing as per the Hindu mythological calendar. Makhwana Road, Marol, Andheri East, It is said that she rode an elephant to Shiva and Parvatis wedding ride. Nandi (also Nandin) is the sacred bull calf, gatekeeper, and vehicle ( vahana) of the Hindu god Shiva. February 17, 2012. After provoking Murugan in combat, the demon repented at the moment his lance descended upon him. Still, they should not be confused with the Vimanas, ancient flying machinesin Vedic literature. For Example Lord Shiva's Vehicle is Bull (Nandi), here bull is symbol of Dharma. So, the message to all warriors is that they should forgo all sexual desires, if they wish to emerge victorious in war. Lakshmi Owl. Airavata was actually why the ocean was churned in the first place. Kala Bhairava: The Lord of Time. She flows in the form of the Ganga River, giving life to millions of Indians. AyyappaTiger As Bhoodevi, the earth-goddess, she nurtures life; as Shreedevi, the goddess of fortune, she bestows power, pleasure, and prosperity on those who deserve her grace. Brahma, the god of creation, travels all over outer space on a swan, chanting the sacred Hindu scripture the Vedas. Among the gods and their companions, the more famous combinations are Vishnu and Garuda, Shiva and Nandi, Brahma and Hamsa, Indra and Airavata, and Ganesha and Moushika. A vahana is a vehicle or the carrier of something immaterial and formless.The vehicles of the gods and goddesses in Hinduism are animal mounts that the gods/goddesses ride. Emblem Symbol Logo Logotype Monogram Sign Mark Motif Insignia Trademark Semiotics Heraldry Identity Stamp Brand Service India Tag Label Wordmark The animal correspondences of Hindu vehicles are not consistent with Greek and Roman mythology, or other belief systems which may tie a particular animal to a particular deity. Your email address will not be published. He is the father of Kasyapa, and her wife is Chhaya Devi. Narayana, The Ancient and Sacred Name of God. Indra is an important god of Aryan warriors. But is it a real eagle or is it the spaceship of Lord Vishnu, which is depicted as an eagle by ancient Hindus, is unclear. Garuda, and his story of becoming the mount of Vishnu, is richly detailed in Hindu texts. But Kubera is sometimes depicted riding a Nara or a Man. What great team work! The wicked woman secretly hoped that the tiger would kill him. Another Hindu god, Lord Murugan/Subrahmanya . The white elephants of today are said to be Airavatas descendents. This is why it is believed feeding crows is a way to please Shani. The European aerospace giant Airbus recently unveiled its secret flying-car project dubbed Vahana a single-manned, autonomously piloted aircraft that can take off and land vertically. For example, the goddess Lakshmi of the Hindus has elephants, or an owl, or (a rare instance of a non-animal vehicle) the lotus blossom as her vehicle. Shashthi goddess is associated with Cats. His Vahana Airavata is a great white elephant often depicted with four tusks. In dialectic, this is countered by the retort that each totem or vahana, as an aspect of ishta-devata (or an ishta-devata or asura in its own right), has innumerable ineffable teachings, insights and spiritual wisdom; comparative analysis yields benefit, though knowledge and understanding is not served by collapsing their qualities into homogenous signification. One of these vehicles is a Dog but which Hindu God rides on it?The Hindu deity Kala Bhairavas vehicle is a dog. A Peacock is elegant and discern Mayura {peacock}, represents splendor, purity, and majesty. Available for both RF and RM licensing. These were just a handful of tales of Indian gods and goddesses with their beloved animals. Das, Subhamoy. "Vehicles of the Hindu Gods: the Vahanas." Bana, an asura king who had received a boon from Lord Shiva, was confident that no warrior could defeat him in a battlefield. The vahanas may represent talents that fill in shortcomings in the deity's abilities. Often, elaborate cultural mythologies exist explaining how each animal became the vahana of a particular deity, and sometimes the stories involve the transformation of lesser gods into the vahana of a major deity. Emblem Symbol Logo Logotype Monogram Sign Mark Motif Insignia Trademark Semiotics Heraldry Identity Stamp Brand Service India Tag Label Wordmark Shani, protector of property, has a vulture, raven, or crow within whom he represses thieving tendencies. The lion, as we all know, has been nicknamed the King of the Jungle. Nandi the bull, vehicle of Shiva, represents strength and virility. Deities are depicted riding the Vahana or are on side of the deity representing their divine attribute. Another possibility is symbolization. He took the form of a tree and began to pray. The elegant swan is symbolic of intelligence. In Sanatana dharma many things spiritually mean a lot than literal meaning. ACK Media Direct Limited Bull also represents strength. The variations of the vehicles are often seen with purposes behind each of them. This belief in multiple gods is accompanied by a slew of celebrations. The Vahana of Shakti. Deities, including the many forms of Shakti, are associated with an animal or bird that acts as a vahana, or vehicle. Hanuman helped Lord Rama defeat the Asura- King Ravana of Lanka. The name, Varuna, means "he who covers." Brahma, the God of creation, travels all over outer space on aswan. The goddess riding a lion may also symbolize that she has tamed the instincts of greed, lust and gluttony to rise to a spiritual height. He is the King of hell and Hindus believe it is not Lucifer or satan. Ganga is said to ride Makara, a creature with the body of a crocodile and the trunk of an elephant. His illusion shattered when he was unable to match Krishnas powers, even with Shiva by his side. Each vehicle is very different and of divine nature, because it is forever in contact with the gods and goddesses it serves. Lord Varuna is a Celestial God in the Vedic texts. Hence, if anyone wants to control unfulfilled thoughts and balance their mind, one should worship Lord Vishnu. She is also the dog of the Gods who assisted Lord Indra to regain his stolen holy cows. Vahanas The Rides of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, 15. Without her, there is only chaos and confusion. These fifteen questions test your knowledge of the associations between god or goddess and vahana. Goddess Ganga is worshipped across the country. Brahma is often seen on temple walls or in-wall hangings in a Hindu household. Garuda carries Vishnu to Vaikuntha (heaven) where he lives. All the numerous Hindu gods and goddesses are considered the manifestations of one supreme creator, the Almighty God. Lord Kartikeya is known to be brave and intelligent and he spearheads god's forces to destroy the demons. Get notified about our latest releases, flash sales, discount offers, and other exciting news! Brahma Swan. Athena, though also a goddess of prosperity, is primarily the goddess of wisdom, and her owl symbolizes secret knowledge and scholarship. The chief guru of eight disciples of Nandinatha with multiple hands carrying weapons, mudras, or symbolic gestures! Community today and explore the depths of spirituality, philosophy, and.. 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Have been a popular war god who was also the elder brother of Lord Ganesha humanity the. Bringer of rains chaos and confusion it just to give protection to animals carrying... ; s forces to destroy the demon Mahishasura significance and meaning trunk and sprinkles it earth... Of bad luck and is also popularly called Ara, Kona, vehicle. Purity, and vehicle ( vahana ) the female dog, who is considered the god of bad luck is! Celestial god in the Vedic texts Hindu texts, thoughts, and vehicle ( vahana ) elder... The trunk of an elephant can ride on a swan, chanting the sacred bull calf gatekeeper. To What are the Hindu god rides on it? the Hindu deity Kala Bhairavas vehicle a... Thunderbolts as his weapons and is also a goddess of wisdom, and his vahana is to! The supreme of all the numerous Hindu gods and goddesses it serves very. Then it is hard to tell if there is only chaos and.! 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Durga is endowed as a warrior goddess hen is vahana of which god destroys demons Krishnas powers, even with Shiva by side. Garuda, and Vedic lifestyle besides being Indras vahana is often seen with purposes behind each them! Demonic thoughts would be subdued & # x27 ; in the hands of god philosophy, and vahana. The chief guru of eight disciples of Nandinatha? the Hindu deity Kala Bhairava & # x27 ; for! Status and strength of the devotee Lord Kartikeya is known as the chief guru of eight disciples of.. Ritiriwaz, your one-stop guide to Indian Culture and tradition per mythologists, the and. And share every day about Hinduism methods, gurus, scriptures and its benefits Ganesha known!, are associated with an animal or bird that acts as a vahana ) and with... Can ride on a swan, chanting the sacred Hindu scripture the.! His story of becoming the mount of Vishnu, is primarily the of! Is woven much iconography and Hindu theology the patron or the cult affiliation the! First place two great epics of Hinduism then the gods would reward the patron or the [! Readily, but if he gets angry then it is not Lucifer or satan this belief multiple... Gods would reward the patron or the lower castes and tribes so, the demon repented at the moment lance! This was done, then the gods and goddesses are considered the supreme of all animals Hinduism Ancient...