11). Hanuman helped Lord Rama defeat the Asura- King Ravana of Lanka. When the elephant is the vehicle that Shani Dev comes on riding, it is considered ominous. Throughout many cultures, the symbolic meaning of owl deals with: intelligence, brilliance . Undoing a curse is mythically impossible, but he toned it down by saying that he would become Ganeshas vehicle. His mount Nandi stands for sexual energy kama and fertility. RitiRiwaz.com is your one-stop guide to Indian Culture and Traditions. Riding on its back, Shiva has the power to control all impulses. Airavata first make clouds in the sky, and then he would suck up water in his tusk and dispense the water into these clouds. Vamadevas wrath simmered down. Deities are depicted riding the Vahana or are on side of the deity representing their divine attribute. 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The Ram signifies power, strength, and vitality. Deities are depicted riding the Vahana or are on side of the deity representing their divine attribute. All Hindu deities had a Vahana. This rodent was actually a god named Kroncha in his previous life. Brahma, the god of creation, travels all over outer space on a swan, chanting the sacred Hindu scripture the Vedas. The gods in Indian mythology have vahanas or vehicles on which they ride. "Vehicles of the Hindu Gods: the Vahanas." Makhwana Road, Marol, Andheri East, Nandi is Shivas ardent devotee. Agni is the Hindu god of fire and is present in every fire that is lit. The Devas and Indra, nay, even the sun and the Moon lined up against Garua, but he defeated them all, and entered the particular place where the pot of nectar was kept. In Hinduism its also considered the supreme of all animals. Sun A golden chariot pulled by seven white horses. Shiva is one of the most complex gods of India, embodying seemingly contradictory qualities. 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 said to be married to the daughter of the celestial . vahana, (Sanskrit: "mount" or "vehicle") in Hindu mythology, the creature that serves as the vehicle, or "carrier," and as the sign of a particular deity. The Sanskrit word translates literally as "that which carries," or "that which pulls." Even the merciless Lord Yama is charmed by Savitri. He is one of the eight attendants on Lord Shiva and also at times is thought of as one of his aspects.He is popularly worshipped among the Tantrikas and is also worshipped in Vajrayana Buddhism as Heruka Bhairava or Yamntaka. 1 Answer. Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - The Vahanas are incredible animal vehicles of the Hindu gods and goddesses. Why is Goddess Durga Known as Mahishasura Mardini? In this capacity, the vahana is often called the deity's "mount". The dog (Shvan) is also the vahana or mount of the Hindu god Bhairava. The vahana accompanies, pulls the chariot of, or serves as the seat or mount of his god. Interestingly, she has the Vahan Owl called Ulka as her Vehicle. The tales of them with their respective vahanas have filled voluminous books, which are stored in various quaint libraries across the country. The Symbolism of Goddess Saraswati's Veena. Surya rides a chariot drawn by seven white horses. Type above and press Enter to search. I feel that special powers are associated with elephants and also . Parrot Upanishad= Taitriya Upanishad. Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, learning, music and arts is seen with a swan. In Hinduism, Vahana has a great significance as the Vehicles of gods and goddesses. The owl cleanses the granaries of all pests, thereby protecting the grain. Kalki Horse. Material - Copper (or) Brass with gold coated. Kaalratri, a form of Kali, rides a donkey. 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 . Ketu Vulture. These vahanas are their constant companions. However, the vehicle animal also symbolizes the evil forces over which the deity dominates. Dogs were used to hunt for protection and find ways. He is also the most handsome god and associated with virility. Dinka the mouse, vehicle of Ganesha, represents speed and sharpness. Varuna (the water god) rides the waves on a crocodile. Hindus pray to Lord Shani to ward off influences of evil forces. Shiva, the destroyer, rides a bull named Nandi. Durga riding a tiger indicates that She possesses unlimited power and uses it to protect virtue and destroy evil. Bhairava, a manifestation of Shiva, has chosen a dog as his vehicle. Each deity's vahana can be seen as a symbolic representation of his or her "power" or meaning within the pantheon of Hindu deities. In the state of Bengal in India, the annual festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, is celebrated in late autumn. He is the central figure of the ancient Hindu epic "Ramayana" and is known as King of Ayodhya, the city believed to be Rama's birthplace.According to the Ramayana, Rama's father was King Dasaratha and his mother was Queen Kausalya. Interestingly, he is using a Mouse as his mount. Dogs in Hindu Religion is mainly associated with Bhairava form of Hindu God Shiva. Vahanam also called vehicles of hindu gods . 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. Airavata is often depicted with four tusks. There are two special reasons for Varuna's connection with water- the first one is his characteristic punishment for the wrongdoer is dropsy- which is formation of water . 5. YamaMale Buffalo His illusion shattered when he was unable to match Krishnas powers, even with Shiva by his side. The vahanas may represent talents that fill in shortcomings in the deity's abilities. Tags: Aspects of Lord Ganesha, Ganesh Chaturthi Stories, Lord Ganesha. Below the wheels were two monstrous serpents with glowing eyes and protruding tongues like flashes of fire, and the serpents never closed their eyes. She strives for a miracle with amazing success! As a creator, Brahma needed clarity, and thus the goose seemed like a good friend to have. Mushika was originally a gandharva, or celestial musician. Musaka or mouse is the vahana of the Lord Ganesha. 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. Chickens were associated with an Iron Age god similar to Mercury, the Roman god of "shopkeepers and merchants, travelers "When new animals arrive into a culture, they are often linked with deities," Sykes tells CNN. 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). In the Rigveda, Vishnu took three strides, with which he measured out the three worlds: earth, heaven, and the space between them.In later mythology, the dwarf Vamana made his appearance when the demon king Bali ruled the entire universe and the gods had lost their power.One day Vamana visited the court of Bali and begged of him as . In Hinduism, Vahanas have a great significance as the Vehicles of gods . Another example could be: The bull is the carrier of Lord Shiva. Hindu Gods and Goddesses have a particular Animal or Bird in which they travel. Symbolization is widely used in Hindu scriptures. Some of these manuscripts are still in the ancient Indian language Sanskrit, which are yet to be translated to English and other contemporary Indian languages. Stepping on a spiritual being, is considered blasphemous in Hinduism. Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is known by different names - Swaminatha, Murugan, Muruga, Kumara, Skanda, Shanmukha, etc. Your email address will not be published. At that very moment, Lord Ganesha sat on its back. It is also a reference to a stream or a flow. GaneshaMouse Lord Murugan is also popularly known as Subramaniam which is a common name in South India. 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. For the album by The Axis of Awesome, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Animals as vehicles of Gods [Chapter 2.7]", "Folk Deity: Lok Devta & Devis of Rajasthan", "Sapta Matrika | 7 Matara - Seven Forms of Goddess Shakti", Forms of Ganesh: The Mouse Mount and Other Ganesh Mounts, Symbolism of the Vehicles of Gods and Goddesses, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vahana&oldid=1118068149, This page was last edited on 25 October 2022, at 01:14. 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. Also, he is seen playing with a snake which shows the overcoming of fear, the mace portrays the overpowering of opposition, challenges and antagonists. Lord Kartikeys vehicle is called Paravani. Credit: T. K. Ellapa - CC BY-SA 3.0. It is interesting to note that such a small mouse can carry the weight of such a huge god. Below is a list of each god and goddess that has a designated vahana . Some deities have more than one vahana. Durga Tiger or Lion. Get a free Audiobook on Amazon free, link to 11 Famous Hindu Festivals To Know About. ShitalaDonkey It is interesting how each of them has its significance and meaning.. His idol is located in mostly the Shiva temples. These vehicles are generally the endangered species that Hindus wanted to protect, i.e. 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. The bull is said to embody sexual energy, fertility. For some Hindu communities dogs are a link to the world of the dead.Next most important instance of dog in Hinduism is associated with Lord Dattatreya - an incarnation of Trimurtis . VishnuEagle These were to be given as prescribed in the ancient Vedic sacred texts. He is the commander of the army of devas. Athena, though also a goddess of prosperity, is primarily the goddess of wisdom, and her owl symbolizes secret knowledge and scholarship. The animal/bird on which the particular god/goddess travels is called his/her vahana (carrier). Understand Yourself Better with Accurate Birth Chart Predictions from an Experienced Astrologe. The chubby, gentle, elephant-headed Ganesha is one of the popular deities of Hinduism. 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. Yet the Brahmanas respect and worship Kalabhairava as he is god and is also the protector of the holy city of Varanasi which is again a symbolism of a gatekeeper.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'hindusinfo_com-leader-1','ezslot_4',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hindusinfo_com-leader-1-0'); However, in todays culture, most of the people do not follow these customs and traditions. Pallavi Bhattacharya from Mumbai in India is the pet parent to a white rabbit named Potol. Left: Peacock - Kartikeya (peacock named Parvani, pictured), Kaumari. Lord Rama is the seventh avatar of Vishnu and a major deity of Hinduism. Why Is The Hungry Ghost Festival Celebrated In August? Most of the Vahanas of gods and goddesses are worshipped by Hindu devotees with offerings of food and prayers. Kamadeva is a name of Vishnu in Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana (SB 5.18.15), and also . Saraswati Swan. He is the second son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. In Sanskrit, Vah means to ride along with the land. 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. Indra, the god of rain and thunderstorms, rides a white elephant called Airavata. Lord Shiva is one of the prominent deities of Hinduism. Vayu, the wind god, is depicted riding a deer. Which is the Oldest Religion in the World? The river goddess Yamuna drifts on a tortoise. 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. . According to Saivite siddhantic tradition, he is considered as the chief guru of eight disciples of Nandinatha . They also symbolize the seven chakras (spiritual vortexes in the human body). Kartikeya Peacock. 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. She summoned Ayyappa to fetch the milk. Your email address will not be published. 3.other birds used as a mode of transport in mythology : Kartikeya the cock was a subdued demon. Here it is interesting to note that all the Hindu Gods and Goddesses have animals as their vehicle or Vahana. Email: customerservice@ack-media.com, 2022 Amar Chitra Katha Media. This article is about the Hindu deities. Mumbai 400059, Maharashtra, India The Hindu god of death Yama has four dogs with four eyes protecting his house. He characterizes the damaging aspect of nature and also has the unfavourable innate in human psychology. This is exactly why a mouse was his vahana as a mouse also can get out of trouble swiftly. The list is almost endless. Therefore, the Lord sees Himself in . Under Shani's influence, the vahana can make even malevolent events bring hope. The gods use Vahanas for both warfare and travel. Find the perfect vahana stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. He is also a god and deserves respect. With a pot of water in her hand, Yamuna is depicted riding a tortoise. Brahmas Vahana is a goose or a swan. Agni, or the fire god, rides upon a ram. Deities, including the many forms of Shakti, are associated with an animal or bird that acts as a vahana, or vehicle. Ashtavinayak The Eight Forms of Lord Ganesha. His guardian is Nandi (the white bull), whose statue can often be seen watching over the main shrine. Lord Brahma has the vehicle Hamsa (Swan). Garuda is seen as clutching two snakes and with serpents garlanded around him. He has written several books about Hinduism for children and young adults. 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. Indra has Airavata, the white elephant who spins clouds, and Uchchaihshravas ("OOCH-chai-SHRAH-vahs"), the seven-headed white horse who was created during the churning of the Ocean of Milk. Sometimes, they are also depicted as standing or sitting near the vahana. Garuda, and his story of becoming the mount of Vishnu, is richly detailed in Hindu texts. Required fields are marked *, Powered byWPtouch Mobile Suite for WordPress, October 3, 2015 1 comment. The literal meaning of the word Vahana is that which carries, that which pulls, ( Sanskrit: mount or vehicle). But Kubera is sometimes depicted riding a Nara or a Man. Sometimes the Vahanas engage in their own battles against each other. From then onwards mouse became the vehicle or Vahana of Lord Ganesha. The storm god Lord Indra carries thunderbolts as his weapons and is also a bringer of rains to the earth. Agni, the fire god, rides a ram. Many Hindu deities are associated with a 'vehicle' or 'vahana,' a being which the deity would 'ride.'. I see that you are here to read about Hindu Gods and their vahanas and that you have already read about the stories of my good friends the mouse and Nandi (who are the vahanas for Ganesh and Shiva, respectively). Bhairava's vahana (vehicle) is Shwaswa, the dog. Lord Kartikeya is known to be brave and intelligent and he spearheads god's forces to destroy the demons. Instants/Getty Images. As she is after all Brahmas consort, its not surprising that she has chosen the same bird as the vahana. He is embodied of perfection, a brave leader of God forces, who was born to destroy the demons. He would go on to become the strongest of . Hindus worship Garuda as a god. Anubis is the Greek name for the god of death, mummification, afterlife, tombs, and the underworld in the ancient Egyptian religion. 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. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Vayu is the Hindu deity of wind. Hinduism is one of the world's most diversified religions, having many mythology and deities linked with it. 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. Copyright 2014-2023 RitiRiwaz.com. Vahanas should not be mixed upwith Vimanas that are ancient flying machines described in many ancient texts like Yajurveda, Mahabharata, Samarangana Sutradhara, Rigveda, Ramayana, and even older ones. According to Hindu mythology deities possess the ability to be in any part of the Universe in an instant. Chicken occupies a very special place in ancient cultures of the world. Hanuman (He Does Not Have a Vahana). They may be sitting on a small platform, or riding on a saddle or bareback. Some feel that the mouse is representative of the egoistic mind, as it can metaphorically gnaw on the virtues of man. 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. After the Unjal Seva in the night, the Lord and his consorts are seated on Garuda Vahana. Bats are the primary animals that help to disperse seeds and aid pollination in temperate and tropical forests. 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. The deity may be seen sitting or standing on the vahana. Photo: Dr. C. Srinivasalu. There is a fascinating story about how the goose came to be Brahma's companion. Both the Vahanas and Vimanas are capable of traveling in the air, water, but the concept is different. In some paintings, the god takes the role of Vahana or vehicle of Bhairava. At many events food offerings are given to dogs while performing certain ceremonies of death. The river goddess Yamuna drifts on a tortoise. And some mention an Elephant. Shvana is referred to as death although there are gods like Dattatreya, Kala Bhairava, and also the divine gods of swarga or heaven. Durga - Lion or Tiger. These vehicles, which are either animals or birds, represent the various spiritual and psychological forces that carry each deity and representit. 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. LakshmiOwl 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. 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. In this capacity, the vahana is often called the deity's "mount". Eagle, peacock, swan, tiger, owl, lion. From one half, Murugan pulled a rooster, which he made his emblem, and from the other, a peacock, which he made his mount. Hence, if anyone wants to control unfulfilled thoughts and balance their mind, one should worship Lord Vishnu. Agni (Fire) Male Sheep. In Hindu mythology, the rooster is depicted as the vahana (vehicle) . Many Hindu scriptures depict some Hindu gods and goddesses as flying/traveling on the back of animals and/or birds. Indra has Airavata, the white elephant who spins clouds, and Uchchaihshravas, the seven-headed white horse who was created during the . In Hindu iconography, positive aspects of the vehicle are often emblematic of the deity that it carries. 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. Countless Vahanas Credit: Public Domain. Dattatreya Cow. 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. 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. Ushas Cow. Once this was done, then the gods would reward the patron or the organiser []. 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