HINDU DEITIES

 

Hindu deities are the gods and goddesses worshiped in Hinduism, a religion with diverse traditions allowing adherents to be polytheistic, pantheistic, monotheistic, monistic, agnostic, atheistic, or humanist. The terms used for deities in Hinduism include Deva, Devi, Ishvara, Ishvari, Bhagavān, and Bhagavati.

These deities have evolved over centuries, spanning from the Vedic era (2nd millennium BCE) to the medieval era (1st millennium CE) across Nepal, Pakistan, India, and Southeast Asia. Hinduism's diverse traditions contribute to a wide array of deities, from personal gods in the Yoga school of Hindu philosophy to thirty-three major deities in the Vedas and hundreds in the Puranas.

Major deities include Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva, Parvati, Brahma, and Saraswati. Despite distinct personalities, they are often considered aspects of the same Ultimate Reality, known as Brahman. Concepts like Harihara (Half Vishnu, Half Shiva) and Ardhanārīshvara (half Shiva, half Parvati) highlight the equivalence of these deities.

Different Hindu traditions, such as Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism, focus on specific deities but share common mythology, rituals, and philosophical concepts. Some traditions, like Smartism, include multiple major deities as manifestations of Saguna Brahman.

In Hindu philosophy, deities are considered "natural sources of energy" with Sattva as the dominant Guna in Samkhya philosophy. Hindu deities are depicted through various icons and anicons in paintings and sculptures known as Murtis and Pratimas.

While some ancient traditions like the Charvakas rejected all deities, modern movements like Arya Samaj and Brahmo Samaj adopted monotheistic concepts. Hindu deities have also been embraced in other religions, such as Jainism, and in regions outside India, like Thailand and Japan.

In Hinduism, the human body is likened to a temple, with deities described as residing within. The Brahman, considered the Absolute Reality or God, is said to share a similar nature with the Atman (Self) within every living being.

Deities in Hinduism are referred to as Deva (masculine) and Devi (feminine), with the root of these terms meaning "heavenly, divine, anything of excellence." In early Vedic literature, all supernatural beings were called Asuras, later evolving into Deva-Asuras. Devas came to represent the good, and Asuras the bad, in post-Vedic texts.

Vedic literature describes Devas and Devis as forces of nature, moral values, and embodiments of specialized knowledge and magical powers. The Vedas highlight significant Devas such as Indra, Agni, Soma, Savitr, Vishnu, Rudra, and Prajapati, along with Devis like Ushas, Prithvi, Aditi, Saraswati, and others.

In medieval-era texts like the Puranas, Devas represent the good, and Asuras the bad, forming extensive mythologies associated with genealogies. Symbolically, Hindu deities represent spiritual concepts, with the Deva-Asura dichotomy reflecting inner struggles within individuals.

The Bhagavad Gita mentions divine and demonic qualities within all beings, emphasizing that most people possess a mix of virtues and faults. The Epics and Puranas develop rich mythologies, associating Hindu deities with cosmic and human bodies. Ultimately, Hindu deities are seen as symbolic representations of spiritual concepts and forces within individuals.

POINTS FOR EASIER UNDERSTANDING

Evolution of Deities:

The concept of Hindu deities has evolved over millennia, from the Vedic era (2nd millennium BCE) to the medieval era (1st millennium CE). This evolution has taken place across regions including Nepal, Pakistan, India, and Southeast Asia, resulting in diverse traditions within Hinduism. The term "deity" encompasses various terms such as Deva, Devi, Ishvara, Ishvari, Bhagavān, and Bhagavati.

Diversity and Equivalence: Hindu deities range from personal gods, as seen in the Yoga school of Hindu philosophy, to the thirty-three major deities in the Vedas, and even hundreds of deities mentioned in the Puranas. Major deities include Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva, Parvati, Brahma, and Saraswati. Despite their distinct personalities, these deities are often considered as aspects of the same Ultimate Reality known as Brahman. Concepts like Harihara (Half Vishnu, Half Shiva) and Ardhanārīshvara (half Shiva, half Parvati) highlight the idea of equivalence.

Traditions and Sects: Major deities have inspired specific Hindu traditions like Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism, each with its own mythology, rituals, and theosophy. Some traditions, such as Smartism, incorporate multiple major deities as manifestations of Saguna Brahman. In Samkhya philosophy, deities are considered "natural sources of energy" dominated by the quality of Sattva.

Representation: Hindu deities are represented through various icons and anicons in paintings and sculptures, known as Murtis and Pratimas. The diversity in beliefs is evident in the rejection of deities by some ancient traditions like Charvakas or movements during the British colonial era, such as Arya Samaj and Brahmo Samaj.

Influence Beyond Hinduism: Hindu deities have transcended Hinduism, influencing other religions like Jainism. Moreover, regions outside India, such as predominantly Buddhist Thailand and Japan, continue to revere Hindu deities in temples and arts.

Cosmic Connection: In Hindu philosophy, the human body is described as a temple, and deities are considered parts residing within it. The idea of Brahman, the Absolute Reality or God, being of similar nature to the Atman (Self) within every living being reflects the interconnectedness of the divine and the human.

Devas and Devis: Deities in Hinduism are categorized as Deva (masculine) and Devi (feminine). The root of these terms signifies "heavenly, divine, anything of excellence." In Vedic literature, all supernatural beings were initially called Asuras, evolving into benevolent Deva-Asuras by the late Vedic period. Devas represent the good, while Asuras are often portrayed as malevolent in later texts.

Characteristics of Vedic-Era Deities: In the Vedic literature, Devas and Devis symbolize the forces of nature, moral values, and specialized knowledge. Significant Vedic-era Devas include Indra, Agni, Soma, Savitr, Vishnu, Rudra, and Prajapati. The post-Vedic texts emphasize the oneness of all gods and goddesses as aspects or manifestations of one Brahman.

Characteristics of Medieval-Era Deities: In Puranas and Itihasas, Devas are associated with the good, while Asuras represent the bad. The Bhagavad Gita describes divine and demonic qualities within all beings, stating that most of humanity is multi-charactered with both faults and virtues. The Puranas and Epics contribute rich mythologies and genealogies to Hindu deities.

Symbolism: Hindu deities often symbolize spiritual concepts. For example, the Deva-Asura dichotomy can be seen as symbolic depictions of tendencies within human selves. The mythology surrounding deities, such as Indra and Virocana, represents inner struggles and choices faced by individuals. In Hindu mythology, everyone starts as an Asura, but one's motivations, beliefs, and actions determine whether they become Deva-like or Asura-like.

In summary, Hindu deities play a central role in the diverse and intricate tapestry of Hinduism, reflecting the various traditions, philosophies, and beliefs within the religion. They serve as symbols of cosmic forces, moral values, and the eternal dance between opposing yet interconnected aspects of existence.