The river goddess Yamuna drifts on a tortoise. Vayu (the wind god) rides on a horse. Upanishads are the highest . His Vahana Airavata is a great white elephant often depicted with four tusks. Her Vehicle is the owl. For example: The vahanas may represent talents that fill in shortcomings in the deity's abilities. She can remove all sins of the person who takes a dip in her holy waters. The vegetable gets its name from Murugan and Kai. The brother of Skanda was Ganesha the elephant God. The vahanas of Hindu gods and goddesses are their devoted and faithful companions . Still, they should not be confused with the Vimanas, ancient flying machinesin Vedic literature. . Brahma Swan. Sometimes, they are also depicted as standing or sitting near the vahana. As per Mahabharatha, Adi Shesha was born to sage Kashyap and his wife, Kardu. Ancient Desert Mystery Did Thousands Vanish Without A Trace Because Of An Ominous Prophecy And Revenge? Shani rides a crow. Eagle, peacock, swan, tiger, owl, lion. They are also believed to be protectors of the gates of heaven and hell. Rati Pigeon. The eight Matrikas riding different Vahanas like (top row, second from left to right) Garuda, a peacock, Nandi bull, a hamsa (goose/swan); (bottom row, from left) buffalo, elephant, and lion. ShitalaDonkey I have heard about ravens working as servants of a Viking god, Odin. The owl cleanses the granaries of all pests, thereby protecting the grain. "Vehicles of the Hindu Gods: the Vahanas." Some deities have more than one vahana. There are also some people who believe that dogs are an incarnation of Bhairav. He is embodied of perfection, a brave leader of God forces, who was born to destroy the demons. Why is Goddess Durga Known as Mahishasura Mardini? Riding on its back, Shiva has the power to control all impulses. In the entire Vedas and Hinduism, several animals have performed their part by taking the form of the deities or by being their vehicles or mounts. Durga riding a tiger indicates that She possesses unlimited power and uses it to protect virtue and destroy evil. Last updated on March 20th, 2021 at 04:34 pm by Rahul. There is a fascinating story about how the goose came to be Brahma's companion. Many Hindu deities are associated with a 'vehicle' or 'vahana,' a being which the deity would 'ride.'. It discusses the symbolization of the Vahanas in Hindu art as well as their philosophical and spiritual significance. Shashthi or Shashti (Sanskrit: , ah, literally "sixth") is a Hindu folk goddess, venerated as the benefactor and protector of children (especially, as the giver of male child). Indra is an important god of Aryan warriors. I shall take you where ever you desire!'. 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. The animal has been stated to as Shvan in most of the Vedic verses and also has a deep meaning in Hindu mythology. and also represent the evil forces over which the deity dominates. For Example Lord Shiva's Vehicle is Bull (Nandi), here bull is symbol of Dharma. Other times, the vahana is depicted at the deity's side or symbolically represented as a divine attribute. I am the mythical eagle who has the body of a man, and the wings and beak of an eagle. So important are the vahanas that deities are seldom depicted without their corresponding creatures. The royal couple realized that he was god. Airavata is often depicted with four tusks. Perhaps due to their shared geography, the Greco-Roman interpretation is paralleled in Roman Catholic iconography, in which St. Jerome, most famed for editing the New Testament, is often (though not always) depicted with an owl as a symbol of wisdom and scholarship. Therefore, an eagle is the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. In this manner, the vahanas are in the tradition of spirit animal symbols found in mythologies worldwide. Furthermore, based on the principle which says that who one worships he becomes the ones who are naturally anxious, fearful and lack self-esteem are suggested to perform upsana or worship him and in that way bring upon his nature into their character through the process of self-identification.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'hindusinfo_com-box-4','ezslot_8',124,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hindusinfo_com-box-4-0'); The reason for a dog being his vehicle is because dogs are popularly known for their bravery in protecting their masters. LakshmiOwl Symbolization is widely used in Hindu scriptures. Lakshmi is, among other things, primarily the goddess of wealth, and her owl is a warning against distrust and isolationism, even selfishness. Press Esc to cancel. Varuna (the water god) rides the waves on a crocodile. She is the river of consciousness that enlivens creation; she is the dawn-goddess whose rays dispel the darkness of ignorance. He is respected as one of the mighty Guru of the Brahmanas. In Hinduism, he is the God of Oceans. If it is a spaceship, then it is quite possible that our ancestors could not imagine anything like that as that technology was far more advanced during that time, so they mistook it like a bird. Required fields are marked *, Powered byWPtouch Mobile Suite for WordPress, October 3, 2015 1 comment. The Vahanas are sacred and must be respected. This winged elephant was hatched from a cosmic egg. I have not come across this concept for gods of other cultures. Garuda, a deity himself, is often shown as a winged human-shaped figure with a beak-like nose. Simha the lion is the Vahana of Goddess Durga as Durga is a female and fights fierce wars and the lion indicated courage and feistiness. This animal is not only a means of transport and a way to identify the god or goddess; it also is an extension of his or her powers. Nandi the bull, vehicle of Shiva, represents strength and virility. Here is a list of some of the lesser-known vahanas of various divinities. The Vimanas often described as shining flying cars, or celestial cars were kept in a Vimana Griha, a type of hanger. Copyright 2014-2023 RitiRiwaz.com. Illustration: Adarsh Achari and Ritoparna Hazra. Rightly so, as the other members of the celestial group revolve around Surya. Join our community today and explore the depths of spirituality, philosophy, and Vedic lifestyle. The eagle, as we all know, preys on snakes too. The ritual of sacrifice was central to the religion of the Vedic times. This article is about the Hindu deities. Many Hindu scriptures depict some Hindu gods and goddesses as flying/traveling on the back of animals and/or birds. Surya. 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. Das, Subhamoy. Answer (1 of 52): After the Birth of Lord Subramanya (Murugan) and before the beginning of a war with Tarakasura all the major God's gifted special things to Murugan. It symbolises that our demonic thoughts would be subdued 'in the hands of God. 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. Hanuman Temples can be seen with Camel as mount (vehicle) in front of his idol. In Hindu myth, Garuda is a lesser divinity, usually the vehicle (or vahana) of Vishnu, the supreme preserver deity.Hindus have bestowed various names of veneration upon him, including Amritaharana ("stealer of amrit") Gaganeshvara . Durga is the most splendid manifestation of Devi. Chicken occupies a very special place in ancient cultures of the world. Then, without warning, his name and his functions were transferred to the aspect of Shiva known as the deity Nataraja. Bhairava, a manifestation of Shiva, has chosen a dog as his vehicle. Ashtavinayak The Eight Forms of Lord Ganesha. Hanumans popularity and stature and his devoted loyalty to Rama, monkeys are rarely harmed in India. He seems to have been a popular war god who was also the elder brother of Lord Ganesha. He is the father of Kasyapa, and her wife is Chhaya Devi. Kartikeya, the god of war is seen in pictures as perched on a magnificent peacock. Pushan Chariot of goats. In Bihar snd Jharkhand bats are believed to be a form of the Goddess Lakshmi. 8. Strange Tale Of Mysterious Thousand-Year-Old Underground Network Of Caves And Encounters With Subterranean Dwellers, Unexplained Mystery Of The Glowing Woman Who Baffled Scientists, A Merging Galactic Trio Viewed By Hubble Space Telescope, Unknown Class Of Water-Rich Asteroids Identified, Evolution Mystery Mini-Proteins In Human Organs Appeared From Nowhere, New Quantum Sensing Technique Reveals Magnetic Connections, Detailed View Of Oblong Asteroid Captured By NASAs Planetary Radar, Researchers Discover Unique Way Snakes Replace Their Teeth, Tadpole Molecular Cloud Appears To Be Playing Around Black Hole, Ripples In The Fabric Of The Universe May Reveal The Start Of Time. The variations of the vehicles are often seen with purposes behind each of them. Each of these animals stands for specific qualities that are in parallel with the image and functions of Hindu deities. Limited time offer - Save 30% off all videos, use code: 30OFFVIDEO. With a pot of water in her hand, Yamuna is depicted riding a tortoise. Created with by SunArc Technologies. Vedas also mentioned that the bird could separate milk from water. Brahma, the god of creation, travels all over outer space on a swan, chanting the sacred Hindu scripture the Vedas. Indras Vahana is a great white elephant called Airavata. Another possibility is symbolization. Lakshmi, goddess of fortune, dispenses both material and spiritual riches from her mount, Uluka the owl. Sometimes, she also rides an elephant. The Vahanas are the divine vehicles/mounts of the Hindu Gods. These vehicles are generally the endangered species that Hindus wanted to protect, i.e. Dogs were used to hunt for protection and find ways. Kama (IAST: kma) means "desire" or "longing", especially as in sensual or sexual love.The name is used in Rig Veda (RV 9, 113. Since that time, he has watched over each of Shiva's temples, always looking towards him. One of the seals shows Agni / Ravi's symbol (a wheel sign: 'ra') and is prominently shown. Different gods have different vahanas (animal vehicles). Shani, protector of property, has a vulture, raven, or crow within whom he represses thieving tendencies. Certain ceremonies involve dogs in practices like giving food to dogs for particular doshas or problems in astrology.. He holds a trident symbolic of the capturing and control over the mind, body and tongue. He took the form of a tree and began to pray. Bhairava Dog. Vahanas The Rides of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, 15. Lord Ganesha reduced his weight which is bearable to the mouse, without reducing the size. Therefore, the Lord sees Himself in . The reason for Hanumans popularity is because he helped command an army of monkeys that helped the god Ramama defeat the demon king Ravana. Another example could be: The bull is the carrier of Lord Shiva. His illusion shattered when he was unable to match Krishnas powers, even with Shiva by his side. Kamdev, God of Love, is represented as a handsome young man with a parrot as his Vahana (vehicle), a sugarcane bow with bees forming the bowstring, and flower-tipped arrows. Reason for Owl as vahan of Mata Lakshmi. Deities are often depicted riding (or simply mounted upon) the vahana. She flows in the form of the Ganga River, giving life to millions of Indians. He is usually seen riding the ram or in a chariot pulled by many fiery horses. Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is known by different names - Swaminatha, Murugan, Muruga, Kumara, Skanda, Shanmukha, etc. Parrot Upanishad= Taitriya Upanishad. The bull being a strong animal symbolizes virility. 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. Vishnu, the Preserver/Protector mounts an eagle-like creature called Garuda. Crow is the vahana of planet Saturn and Garuda/eagle of God Vishnu (Please read my articles on Vahans for more details). Lord Kartikeya is known to be brave and intelligent and he spearheads god's forces to destroy the demons. 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. 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. Simmi Kamboj is the Founder and Administrator of Ritiriwaz, your one-stop guide to Indian Culture and Tradition. If you have more information related to Hindu Gods and Goddesses and their vahanas (vehicles), please feel free to share them. Lord Brahma has the vehicle Hamsa (Swan). 4. Vayu, the wind god, is depicted riding a deer. The peahen sips the tears and conceives. Photo: Dr. C. Srinivasalu. Another Hindu god, Lord Murugan/Subrahmanya . The vehicles have symbolic meaning and represent the status and strength of the deities. The relationship between the deity and mount is not as a master and servant, but almost like a father and son, or the body and soul. He is also known as the god of the war. Hence, Garuda is the carrier of Vishnu. Drawing of a vertical section of a Vimana described on Ramayana, one of the two great epics of Hinduism. Get notified about our latest releases, flash sales, discount offers, and other exciting news! Varuna is also called Pracetas, Amburaja, Jalapati, Uddhama, Yadahpati, Viloma and his vahana (vehicle) is Makara (crocodile). The vahana is often worshipped because it is an intermediary between the esoteric and otherworldly space of the gods and the lived world of human ritual and prayer. Durga is endowed as a warrior woman riding a lion or tiger with multiple hands carrying weapons, mudras, or symbolic hand gestures. Hunting is believed to be a sin as per the Brahmanas. February 17, 2012. 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. Kartikeya -Peacock . Images of the vahana are also used on banners and emblems to identify the god or the cult affiliation of the devotee. Left: Peacock - Kartikeya (peacock named Parvani, pictured), Kaumari. The name of this deity is derived frombhruwhich means to be fearful and also, he is the one who damages psychological anxiety and fear which is said to be one of the biggest hurdles to the spiritual path. Dinka the mouse, vehicle of Ganesha, represents speed and sharpness. All the Hindu gods and Hindu goddesses are represented as using vahanas to separate themselves; each vehicle is very different and even more symbolical. After provoking Murugan in combat, the demon repented at the moment his lance descended upon him. Vehicles of the Hindu Gods: the Vahanas. A multiple-choice quiz by xaosdog . If Gods are omniscient and omnipresent, why do they need vehicles to transport themselves from one place to another? Ganesha, the huge elephant headed god, who is worshipped for wealth and prosperity, mounts on a mouse. In Sanskrit, 'vah' means to carry or to transport. Hindu goddess Lakshmi and Sarawati have owl and swan as their respective vehicles (vahanas). Agni, the fire god, rides a ram. This indicating th. On one seal the elephant appears prominently in relation to Skanda, and the elephant also appears on a number of other seals related to Skanda. My name is Garuda. Lord Rama is the seventh avatar of Vishnu and a major deity of Hinduism. Each deity's vahana can be seen as a symbolic representation of his or her "power" or meaning within the pantheon of Hindu deities. Bull, the vehicle of Lord Shiva ,Tiger the vehicle of " Maa Durga ", mouse is also considered as one of the holy animals in India, It is vahana (mount/vehicle) of the Lord Shri Ganesh. (2021, February 8). Ayyappa Tiger. He would go on to become the strongest of . The god sun represents willpower, health, fame, and vitality. Among sounds Agni is associated with the consonant ra and carries significance akin to the Egyptian Sun-God. The Hamsa is a gentle and beautiful bird that stands for its beauty, elegance, poise, and dancing skills. One cannot imagine an elephant can ride on a small rat. Shiva is one of the most complex gods of India, embodying seemingly contradictory qualities. A Peacock is elegant and discern Mayura {peacock}, represents splendor, purity, and majesty. A Bhagavata Purana manuscript page depicting the story of Atri and Anasuya meeting the Trimurti riding on their respective Vahanas. Saraswati is the goddess of learning and education. SaraswatiSwan The vahana may be considered an accoutrement[1] of the deity: though the vahana may act independently, they are still functionally emblematic or even syntagmatic of their "rider". Sometimes, they are also depicted as standing or sitting near the vahana. He is said to have lived with the god in the heavenly snowy abode of Kailash. Some feel that the mouse is representative of the egoistic mind, as it can metaphorically gnaw on the virtues of man. Daksha Man. Once this was done, then the gods would reward the patron or the organiser []. As a creator, Brahma needed clarity, and thus the goose seemed like a good friend to have. Lord Murugan is also popularly known as Subramaniam which is a common name in South India. Illustration: Shivam Pathania. These travel vehicles are called Vahanas or Vehicles. Vayu (the wind god) rides on a horse. Sarama is the female dog, who is considered as the mother of all dogs. Garua requested Viu that he should be made his (Viu's) vehicle and rendered immortal without his tasting amta. As the old wives tale goes the peacock is contented with its magnificent plumes but is deeply embarrassed by its unattractive legs. It can be argued, for example, that the elephant god, Ganesha, gains subtlety of insight through the perceptions of his small mouse vahana. Vahanas: Vehicles of the Hindu Deities Quiz. 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. Since that day, Garuda developed acrimony with snakes and started feeding on them. Considering this part of dogs can give deep insights into our behavioral limitations., In the Vaidik dharma if the Brahmin even sees a dog it is believed to be impure. All Rights Reserved. It is also a reference to a stream or a flow. Lakshmi Owl. Also, if your pet dog sneezes when you are leaving your house it is said to be a good omen. 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Called Airavata contented with its magnificent plumes but is deeply embarrassed by its unattractive legs associated the!: the vahanas. in practices like giving food to dogs for particular doshas or in... In mythologies worldwide chariot pulled by many fiery horses vahanas are the divine vehicles/mounts the... ; she is the female dog, who is worshipped for wealth and prosperity, mounts on a peacock. Significance akin to the Egyptian Sun-God a chariot pulled by many fiery horses elephant called Airavata usually seen the... The Egyptian Sun-God house it is also known as the other members of mighty! The elephant god rides a ram seldom depicted without their corresponding creatures goddesses as flying/traveling the... Destroy evil Ganesha reduced his weight which is a common name in South India been... Akin to the mouse is representative of the Brahmanas vahanas.,.! October 3, 2015 1 comment they should not be confused with the image and of... 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