Introduction
To Hinduism
page 3
Although Brahma is represented as the creator, he is revered but not
really worshiped much today in India. The most popular of the Hindu gods
is Vishnu. Vishnu is often depicted reclining on the seven-headed cobra
Ananta. His consort, or feminine aspect, is Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth
and prosperity. It is through a dream of Vishnu that Brahma creates the
universe. In times of great turmoil, Vishnu incarnates into form to save
the world. Vishnu's most important incarnations include Rama and Krishna.
Krishna has developed a theology of his own, and is today the most revered
god in India, followed by Rama. (See Vaishnavism.)
The oldest and most complex of the Hindu gods is Lord Shiva. The archaeological
ruins of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa in western Punjab, India, indicate that
an advanced Dravidian culture existed in 2,000 B.C., which worshiped a
god identified as Lord Shiva. In these ancient ruins a pendant was found
that showed Lord An, or Shiva, seated in a yogic posture with a trident
(a symbol of Shiva). This makes Shaivism the oldest living faith in the
world. Shiva's present personality is partly based on the attributes of
(1) Rudra, the wild god of the Vedas; (2) Agni, the god of fire and the
first god mentioned in the Vedas; and (3) Indra, giver of life. The Puranas
depict Shiva as the arch-yogi, who can deliver the aspirant to the realization
of God through his powers of tapasya - the intense fire of inward-turned
consciousness.
Shiva resides on the earth for mankind, and is often represented by the
lingam (a symbolic rounded column) that represents his powers of transcendence.
Shiva is often represented in the form of Nrttamurti (Nataraja), performing
the Cosmic Dance inside a mandala of fire, controlling the interplay of
creation and destruction. Shiva's consort, or feminine aspect, is called
Uma, or Parvati, who represents the Divine Wisdom and Universal Energy
(shakti). This great mother goddess is known under many names, and worshiped
under many forms. The most prominent form depicts her wrathful and terrifying
aspects as Kali, or Durga, whose powers destroy man's ego. Shiva's feminine
aspects represent the destruction of the illusion of physical existence,
and the awakening of consciousness. The divine couple has two sons: Ganesha,
the elephant-headed deity who provides access to the great gods, and Karikeya,
the war god, who rides upon a peacock. (See Shaivism.)
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