It discusses the symbolization of the Vahanas in Hindu art as well as their philosophical and spiritual significance. The father of Skanda is Shiva / Ravi or Agni. Made of metal. Created with by SunArc Technologies. The lion may also represent gluttony and the craving for sensory pleasures which gives birth to lust. It stands for intelligence, perspicacity, judgment, skill, and creativity. Vayu (the wind god) rides on a horse. One of the seals shows Agni / Ravi's symbol (a wheel sign: 'ra') and is prominently shown. The vegetable gets its name from Murugan and Kai. But when the shadow of death hangs over her husband she is filled with courage spurred by her selfless love for him. His guardian is Nandi (the white bull), whose statue can often be seen watching over the main shrine. This is known as a sound of the seers/rishis as the seers are said to be channels/pathways towards God, and here the two paths of moving upwards towards God (ra-fire) or bringing God down to oneself (la-earth) are governed by the rishis. Saraswati is the goddess of learning and education. Nandi (also Nandin) is the sacred bull calf, gatekeeper, and vehicle ( vahana) of the Hindu god Shiva. Dinka the mouse, vehicle of Ganesha, represents speed and sharpness. There are more than 330 million gods and goddesses in Hinduism. It is usually depicted as a dog or a man with a dog's head. Brahmas Vahana is a goose or a swan. He is the second son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Her Vehicle is the owl. Agni, the fire god, rides a ram. The vahana also increases the god's power through their association. The Brahmanas do not keep dogs as their pets. One of these vehicles is a Dog but which Hindu God rides on it?The Hindu deity Kala Bhairavas vehicle is a dog. Photo: Dr. C. Srinivasalu. The Hindu faith, the cradle of which is India, is a religion which dotes upon the birds and animals. He characterizes the damaging aspect of nature and also has the unfavourable innate in human psychology. 4. 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. Maha Lakshmi is the goddess of success, fortune, prosperity, and wealth. He is considered the god of bad luck and is also popularly called Ara, Kona, and Kroda. The lion, as we all know, has been nicknamed the King of the Jungle. Required fields are marked *, Powered byWPtouch Mobile Suite for WordPress, October 3, 2015 1 comment. SaraswatiSwan Shani Crow. The Ram signifies power, strength, and vitality. Goddess Sheetala Mata, the goddess of fever and smallpox, is also believed to ride on a donkey. The Vahanas are the divine vehicles/mounts of the Hindu Gods. Lakshmi, goddess of fortune, dispenses both material and spiritual riches from her mount, Uluka the owl. Does Celtic Art Have Links With Iron Age Art Of The Eurasian Steppes? Still, they should not be confused with the Vimanas, ancient flying machinesin Vedic literature. Ganesha, by mounting the mouse, thereby symbolically conquers impure desires, spiritual darkness and pride. Instants/Getty Images. Vishnu, the Preserver/Protector mounts an eagle-like creature called Garuda. They help the deities to uphold Dharma by performing several obligatory and secondary duties. 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. This mythical creature sucks water with her trunk and sprinkles it on earth thereby creating rain. She has written for leading Indian publications on animals/ pets like gingertail.in, Dogs and Pups, Cats and Kittens, the Furs, Feathers and Fins magazine and Buddy Life. 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. Dogs and Gods. In Sanatana dharma many things spiritually mean a lot than literal meaning. Varuna is also worshipped for the sake of rain. There are 12 different names of Lord Surya, and those names are chanted as Surya Namaskar mantras. He is omnipresent and is the guardian deity of the Western direction. Support the Ashram. and also represent the evil forces over which the deity dominates. Her Vahana is a lion. Vayu, the wind god, is depicted riding a deer. Deities are depicted riding the Vahana or are on side of the deity representing their divine attribute. There are some interesting stories associated with why a particular animal is the vahana of a particular deity. The Hindu god of death Yama has four dogs with four eyes protecting his house. The Symbolism of Goddess Saraswati's Veena. Agni is the Hindu god of fire and is present in every fire that is lit. She flows in the form of the Ganga River, giving life to millions of Indians. Here it is interesting to note that all the Hindu Gods and Goddesses have animals as their vehicle or Vahana. He was raised by the Krittikas and led the divine armies when he was 6 days old. It can be argued, for example, that the elephant god, Ganesha, gains subtlety of insight through the perceptions of his small mouse vahana. This article is about the Hindu deities. Rati is sometimes shown riding a pigeon. The gods and goddesses in Hindu mythology travel in supersonic speed on animals and birds. Chickens were associated with an Iron Age god similar to Mercury, the Roman god of "shopkeepers and merchants, travelers . He is the destroyer and restorer, symbolizing sensuality and the wrathful avenger. Your email address will not be published. Both the Vahanas and Vimanas are capable of traveling in the air, water, but the concept is different. He holds a trident symbolic of the capturing and control over the mind, body and tongue. He is said to be married to the daughter of the celestial . Hunting is believed to be a sin as per the Brahmanas. However, his vehicle, Mushika the mouse, who can crawl into the smallest crevice or Akhuketana the rat, who can survive just about anywhere, can assist Ganesha to overcome the greatest obstacles. Paundraka, the black buffalo that Yama is said to ride, was born from Rudras thigh. 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. 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. Its ability to separate milk from water stood as a metaphor for being able to distinguish fact from fiction, and truth from falsehood. Lakshmi rides an owl. Below the wheels were two monstrous serpents with glowing eyes and protruding tongues like flashes of fire, and the serpents never closed their eyes. (2021, February 8). Ganesha trapped him with his lasso and made him his mount. Eagle, peacock, swan, tiger, owl, lion. The tree was cut in two. And some mention an Elephant. Vahana means that which carries, bears or conveys, which is usually a reference to a vehicle or a beast of burden. He is also known as the god of the war. In Hindu Dharma, Yama is known as the God of Death. My name is Garuda. This is why it is believed feeding crows is a way to please Shani. Nandi is Shivas ardent devotee. They play a vital role in helping to regenerate and . His legend of securing amrita, the nectar of immortality, is described in the episode known as Amtakalapaharaam[4]: Garua approached the pot of nectar, and Vivakarm who attacked him first was felled to the ground. "Hey! This celestial beast is said to be strong enough to ferry two armoured gods. God Agni is always seen riding the Ram. All Hindu deities had a Vahana. To answer this question, we must understand the purpose of the Vahanas. The vahana also represents the devotee's mind which allows the deity to guide the devotee. 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. Durga is the most splendid manifestation of Devi. Hindus worship Garuda as a god. These are some of the superstitions and beliefs linked with dogs in Hinduism. Agnis Vahana is the ram. Yama, the lord of death, rides a black buffalo. Manasa Snake. He is the commander of the army of devas. To realize her one must go beyond the pleasures of the senses and rejoice in the serenity of the spirit. The Ashwini Kumaras are said to ride horses, although the. The Sun God, Surya, mounts on a golden chariot, pulled by seven white horses. Lord Ganesh was very intelligent, and he could find ways out of any trouble. Lord is decorated with Mahaakanti, Sahasranaramala that day. According to Hindu mythology deities possess the ability to be in any part of the Universe in an instant. 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. Find the perfect vahana stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Even the merciless Lord Yama is charmed by Savitri. Both the boons were granted. The deity may be seen sitting or standing on the vahana. Vahanas The Rides of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, 15. Pushan Chariot of goats. The prevailing myth is that the peacock doesnt copulate with the peahen. Nandi the bull, vehicle of Shiva, represents strength and virility. A Vahana () is a vehicle or the carrier and in Hinduism, each God and Goddesses are represented with their Vahanas. It is such tales from India's rich . Vahanas: Vehicles of the Hindu Deities Quiz. The wicked woman secretly hoped that the tiger would kill him. Search for: Become an Author. https://www.learnreligions.com/vehicles-of-the-gods-1770297 (accessed March 1, 2023). The elegant swan is symbolic of intelligence. Indras Airavata gives strength to Indras status as a fearsome and powerful warrior. Kartikeya, the war-god known as Murugan in Southern India, is mounted on a peacock named Paravani. He is said to have lived with the god in the heavenly snowy abode of Kailash. An animal acting as Vahana owns some magical . Durga Tiger or Lion. Durga is one of the names of the goddess that is the wife of Shiva. Upon the partnership between the deity and his vahana is woven much iconography and Hindu theology. As per mythologists, the mouse is symbolic of basal desires. I feel that special powers are associated with elephants and also . In the state of Bengal in India, the annual festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, is celebrated in late autumn. When his teacher, Sage Vasishtha refused to help him, he sought the assistance of his teachers rival, Sage Vishwamitra. Worship of Bhairava. Tags: Aspects of Lord Ganesha, Ganesh Chaturthi Stories, Lord Ganesha. E.g., Lord Vishnu is the enemy of demons and Garuda is the enemy of snakes, and snakes are sometimes depicted as demons. Interestingly, he is using a Mouse as his mount. Ramayana and Parasara Samhita describes multiple instances where Hanuman could fly at wind speed and also cover long distances like flying across the ocean to reach Lanka, flying back and forth to Himalayas from Lanka to . Ancient Desert Mystery Did Thousands Vanish Without A Trace Because Of An Ominous Prophecy And Revenge? Surya rides a chariot drawn by seven white horses. Varuna's vahana, Jaladhi, was born from Rudra's earwax and has the divine power of movement. Undoing a curse is mythically impossible, but he toned it down by saying that he would become Ganeshas vehicle. Ganga is said to ride Makara, a creature with the body of a crocodile and the trunk of an elephant. In the sacred temple of Gandgapur in the state of Maharashtra, wherein Lord Dattatreya lives, dogs are not constrained from entering and staying inside the temple. Subhamoy Das is the co-author of "Applied Hinduism: Ancient Wisdom for Today's World." Agni is shown riding the Ram and rarely, a chariot pulled by goats. Crow is the vahana of planet Saturn and Garuda/eagle of God Vishnu . Actually in a previous life, musaka was a god named Kroncha. Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, learning, music and arts is seen with a swan. Seven is a sacred number in Hindu mythology. Different gods have different vahanas (animal vehicles). He is often shown as a winged human-shaped figure with a beaklike nose. Airavata is often depicted with four tusks. Indian Eagle Garuda and peacock are considered as the sacred bird of Hindu. She is also the dog of the Gods who assisted Lord Indra to regain his stolen holy cows. 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. Kroncha desperately begged apology. Reason for Owl as vahan of Mata Lakshmi. These correspondences are not always consistent. Lord Varuna is a Celestial God in the Vedic texts. The article discusses the various animal mounts or Vahanas attributed to the different deities in the Hindu religion - like Vishnu, Ganesha, Shiva, Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Yama, Surya, Kartikeya and Shani. According to Hindu Scriptures, Adi Shesha or Shesha Naga holds all planets and earth on his hoods. Below is a list of Hindu gods and goddesses who are inseparably linked with their respective vahanas: When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Ganesha, remover of obstacles, cannot go everywhere despite his elephant-like strength. But Kubera is sometimes depicted riding a Nara or a Man. A bull works hard and expects very little, but if it gets angry, then it is hard to control it. The vahana or vehicles of Hindu gods have mostly been animals. Upanishads are the highest . God/Goddess Vehicle. Vishnus Vahana is the eagle King named Garuda. Throughout many cultures, the symbolic meaning of owl deals with: intelligence, brilliance . 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. He is usually seen riding the ram or in a chariot pulled by many fiery horses. In this capacity, the vahana is often called the deity's "mount". You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Lord Murugan is also popularly known as Subramaniam which is a common name in South India. He has the Vahan Peacock. Parrot Upanishad= Taitriya Upanishad. It is derived from the word vaha means bearing, carrying. Durga - Lion or Tiger. Just like mischievous magpies have ill repute in the occidental part of the globe because of their thieving tendencies; in India crows too are linked with stealing. If Gods are omniscient and omnipresent, why do they need vehicles to transport themselves from one place to another? The seven horses are representative of the seven major sins and how the Sun God triumphs over them. Required fields are marked *. Lord Brahma has the vehicle Hamsa (Swan). One day they accidentally interrupted a class conducted by a sage when he was teaching. Sun A golden chariot pulled by seven white horses. She summoned Ayyappa to fetch the milk. He portrays fairness and equality between all the castes and was a beggar who performed religious begging. They have the same purpose as todays modern world vehicles suitable for traveling by air or land, or water. The peacock represents arrogance and pride over its beauty, and by having a peacock as her mount, the Goddess teaches Hindus not to be concerned with external appearance and to be wise regarding the eternal truth. Garuda (from the Sanskrit: Garua or "devourer") is a large mythical bird or bird-like creature that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Drawing of a vertical section of a Vimana described on Ramayana, one of the two great epics of Hinduism. Kartikeya, the god of war is seen in pictures as perched on a magnificent peacock. Each Hindu deity has a particular animal-vehicle or vahana on which it travels. Nandi (Sanskrit: ), also known as Nandikeshwara or Nandideva, is the bull vahana of the Hindu god Shiva.He is also the guardian deity of Kailash, the abode of Shiva.Almost all Shiva temples display stone-images of a seated Nandi, generally facing the main shrine. 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. Simmi Kamboj is the Founder and Administrator of Ritiriwaz, your one-stop guide to Indian Culture and Tradition. It is interesting to note that such a small mouse can carry the weight of such a huge god. According to some historians, the concept reached Indian shores in the second millennium BC via the trade route between the two ancient civilizations. Saraswati rides a swan. He took the form of a tree and began to pray. "Vehicles of the Hindu Gods: the Vahanas." Some Vimanas were saucer-shaped while others were cigar-shaped. His mount Nandi stands for sexual energy kama and fertility. Bhairava, a manifestation of Shiva, has chosen a dog as his vehicle. The god sun rides seven horses, representing the seven chakras or spiritual centers in our subtle body. He is the destroyer and restorer, symbolizing sensuality and the wrathful avenger. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. At that very moment, Lord Ganesha sat on its back. The Story of Bhikshatana Shiva The Naked Form of Lord Shiva, Pradosh Vrat Katha The Stories Behind Pradosh Vrat, Dashavatara The 10 Avatars of Lord Vishnu, Ashokasundari The Daughter of Lord Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh The Hindu Trinity, Chinnamasta The Goddess Who Cut Her Head, Goddess Saraswati The Goddess of Knowledge and Music, Lord Venkateswara (Balaji) The God Who Is Still Paying The Debt of Kubera, Vishnu Sahasranama Lyrics in English With Meaning. Pleasures which gives birth to lust, whose statue can often be seen over... Mounted on a horse god named Kroncha from one place to another linked with dogs in...., giving hen is vahana of which god to millions of Indians 2015 1 comment nicknamed the King the... The concept reached Indian shores in the serenity of the Eurasian Steppes a described! Its back holds a trident symbolic of basal desires different Gods have mostly been animals means bearing,.... 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