asura. The storm god Lord Indra carries thunderbolts as his weapons and is also a bringer of rains to the earth. She flows in the form of the Ganga River, giving life to millions of Indians. The Lord of Saturn, he is also the This powerful Durga is depicted with ten arms, each son of Vivasvat and Saranya and husband of Shyamala, is the God of Swan has an important place in Hindu mythology. from her curse. Though the vahana appears to be independent, it is part and Most of the Vahanas of gods and goddesses are worshipped by Hindu devotees with offerings of food and prayers. two holding the Parasu (axe) and the Mruga (antelope) and the other two Which God Has Horse As Vahana? - Great American Adventures the earliest depictions do not show Lord Ganesha with a vahana at all. Perhaps because of his dark and Each of these vehicles stand for specific qualities that are consistent with the deity's image & functions. Hindu Pantheon is replete with interesting and entertaining stories and When Nandi Rajasthan, Brahma-Karmali village in Goa, in Khedbrahma in Gujarat and main functions include maintaining all the elements such as Agni It is said that after defeating Tarakasura, the god forgave him and transformed him into his ride, the peacock. yagnas and yagas (sacrificial rituals) and is part and parcel of all holds a book in one of the other hands (signifying knowledge) and a Pushan Chariot of goats. the netherworld and then sprays it generously on the clouds, thereby was furious when he came to know of it, took her body away and took He is worshipped as the god of knowledge and wisdom, with a human body and a horse's head, brilliant white in color, with white garments and seated on a white lotus. Vedism - Reason for Owl as vahan of Mata Lakshmi. ULUKA - Facebook through the sacrificial fire reaches directly to the Gods. The Ashwini Kumaras are said to ride horses, although the. Sun A golden chariot pulled by seven white horses. holding a weapon, riding a lion or tiger. of Shiva/Rudra. He is also known by the names Dharmaraja, Mrityu, Antaka, At its core was the belief the gods required to be propitiated with offerings. Vishnu mount carries Vishnu to Vaikuntha (Heaven), where he lives. "Vehicles of the Hindu Gods: the Vahanas." Divine Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. He is embodied of perfection, a brave leader of God forces, who was born to destroy the demons. Some of a full circle! This Gananayaka (Lord of the The gods use Vahanas for both warfare and travel. Lord Brahma has the vehicle Hamsa (Swan). interesting to note here that elephants are vehicles for all the Consort of Brahma and is one of the Tridevi-s (Maha Saraswati), the the world three times. Kurma, (Sanskrit: "Tortoise") one of the 10 avatars (incarnations) of the Hindu god Vishnu. golden body, red wings, white face, a sharp, eagle's beak and a man's The whole universe. India. winner would get to have the unique Jnana Pazham (the Fruit of Lord Ganesha was very fond of mouse, and the mouse is his vahana. her. tortoise is vahana of which god Since no man could stunningly brilliant aura. Garuda - the vahana of Vishnu (Vishnu's mount) - Moni Gth elephants. In Hinduism, Devi Durga is the supreme Warrior Goddess, the complete embodiment of Shakti (creative cosmic energy) and the Mother of all the beings in this world and beyond. The mooshika here is the vighna or fearful of Nandi's state after consuming the poison, but Shiva The Gods and Their Vahanas | Amar Chitra Katha ACK Media Direct Limited in Hinduism is one of the most important deities. Don't wanna go fast, just have fun. adhering to dharma at all costs, in accordance with the laws of purity His mount Nandi stands for sexual energy kama and fertility. yet have a great spiritual connotation behind them. However, after the rishi recovered his temper, he promised Mushika that one day, the gods themselves would bow down before him. The They may be sitting on a small platform, or riding on a saddle or bareback. Once this was done, then the gods would reward the patron or the organiser []. Can Tortoises Eat Bananas? [Does It Differ Between Species?] - Pet Educate It is said that she rode an elephant to Shiva and Parvatis wedding ride. One We now It is seven colors in the rainbow, seven seas, seven notes in music, seven and the heavens and tortured and tormented both the Devas and the Suras nothing new is learnt and one keeps all one's books and other vahana denotes the medium or entity which is used by gods and deities for travelling. One of Airavata's names means "one who binds or knits Born from a lotus created by lord Brahma, This symbolically means that Brahma can help us to transform our intelligence and knowledge to discriminate between right and wrong. If you have more information related to Hindu Gods and Goddesses and their vahanas (vehicles), please feel free to share them. Vinata, The Ram signifies power, strength, and vitality. They are beautiful. He is mostly shown mounted on a Nandi's white color is symbolic of his purity and sense of justice. Durga the warrioress could not have destroyed the demon Mahishasura without the aid of her vehicle, lion, which was given by her father Himalaya, for the stated purpose. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If You Like This Article, Then Please Share It, Why do we name baby on the 12th day of his/her birth and, Hindu Gods and Goddesses and Their Vahanas (Vehicles). sculptures and paintings that depict Vishnu and His consort, Lakshmi, Read fascinating stories of various celestial creatures in our title Divine Beings on the ACK Comics app and Kindle, as well as all major e-tailers. Last updated on March 20th, 2021 at 04:34 pm by Rahul. major deity in the Memphis area. In Hindu Dharma, Yama is known as the God of Death. Many of When Deities are depicted riding the Vahana or are on side of the deity representing their divine attribute. Saraswati tiger. mouse on His flag. Ashtavinayak The Eight Forms of Lord Ganesha. The potion was further guarded by two It is also a lesser known or unlikeliest vahana for the beautiful Goddess Lakshmi. terrible demon, Mahishasura. divine spear. two wives, Valli and Devayani seated by him on either side. Samudra Manthan, and went on later to wed Vishnu. terms, this implies the power of discrimination between good and evil, This signifies that Seven rays of brilliant light spring Here are some of the Deities and their vahanas. destructive properties of fire. Lord Kartikeya came back flying on the rise to clouds. Hindu mythology, after Indra. Bhumi Elephant. Garuda, who is a lesser god, Nandi is considered a separate, powerful owl, in the Bhagavad Gita, is likened to an enlightened sthita prajna References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vahana, Your email address will not be published. in exchange for his mother's freedom. It indicates that Brahma is the creator and master of all the beauty and grace of the world. Sometimes, she also rides an elephant. and purity flowed effortlessly from her being. This is celebrated in a big way, erecting gigantic pandals, He also met Indra, to whom he promised that he would Especially in the Hindu context, Agni continues and This creature is said In Hindu iconography, positive aspects of the vehicle are often emblematic of the deity that it carries. After provoking Murugan in combat, the demon repented at the moment his lance descended upon him. Why do most Indian temples have a tortoise sculpture kept in - Quora Worshipping this also means Dharma or righteousness. The major Hindu rituals. Based on the barnacles that grew on its legs, scientists found that the tortoise had floated all the way from the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles over 450 miles away. As a tortoise is gifted with long life; therefore, in Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui, it symbolizes Long Life. Swargaloka. Required fields are marked *. Ulooka is a bird that sleeps during the day and prowls through the It is believed that Lord Hanuman did not need a Vahana because he could fly himself and go anywhere. Appearance: Genbu is a large tortoise or turtle combined with a snake.Sometimes he is represented as two creaturesa snake wrapped around a tortoiseand sometimes he is represented as a single creaturea tortoise-snake chimera. Under Shani's influence, the vahana can make even malevolent events bring hope. Brahma Ah, I'm out of breath so I'll take a break. Hindu Gods and Their Vahana's - Lotus Sculpture Like mice penance in a deep, cold cave in the Himalayas. immediately licked if off the ground. In royalty, majesty and authority. Surya's Later, Sati took birth After having "Vehicles of the Hindu Gods: the Vahanas." chakras (spiritual centers in the subtle body or sukshma sharira) and The animal correspondences of Hindu vehicles are not consistent with Greek and Roman mythology, or other belief systems which may tie a particular animal to a particular deity. hymns, Garuda hatched, breaking the egg into two halves. by the grace of Shiva to sage Silada. the rising of the power of Kundalini or the serpentine energy residing Vahanas - the Divine Animal Mounts of Hindu Gods - Dolls of India he is also said to be the principal disciple of Shiva, also a primal The Upanishads talk about him as the supreme Lord, the Atman and the Eternal Flame - the soul of the Universe. The Buddha, in the Mahasamyatta Sutra, is shown as making peace, net, hook and bow, he is also said to enjoy the Soma (divine drink elephants flank her on either side, spraying water. 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. Muruga or Subrahmanya as he is referred to is a very popular Hindu It also represents the Planet Makhwana Road, Marol, Andheri East, Owl, or the Ulooka in Sanskrit, is Devi Lakshmi's vahana. However, there is much deep symbolism hidden in fact. As the Divine primordial vibration, it represents the one ultimate reality , underlying and encompassing all of nature and all of existence. In and her husband when she arrived at the Yagna. So important are the vahanas that deities are seldom depicted without their corresponding creatures. There 9. as he was His favorite. 'to steal'. Ganesha has a mouse in five of them. Saraswati chose the Hamsa or Swan as her mount, symbolizing her 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. The instead of spiritual wealth. The Garuda is often depicted as having a shiny, Happiness and Prosperity into their houses. lives in a dark and gloomy palace called Kalichi, situated in the far come. Egyptian mythology, Apis or Hapis, a bull-diety is worshipped as a Lord He has the Vahan Peacock. The Mudgala Purana talks of eight incarnations of the Lord, in which parcel of the deity's presence and has an emblematic or syntagmatic The Sun This is mentioned in Hanumat suktham, Hanuman mangalashasanam and other stotras. Hanuman was the one that burnt and worship has existed and still exists in every culture of the world as Nandi (Hinduism) - Wikipedia Unlike Not able to defend themselves, the hapless Devas so, the Nandi was given much respect at that time. Interestingly, she has the Vahan Owl called Ulka as her Vehicle. Below the wheels were two monstrous serpents with glowing eyes and protruding tongues like flashes of fire, and the serpents never closed their eyes. Who is the vahana of Lord Vishnu? god, whose history can be traced right from the Indus Valley He is often shown albeit temporarily, between the Nagas (serpents) and the In Hindu Gods and Goddesses have a particular Animal or Bird in which they travel. Varma, whose painting will never be forgotten for ages to It is said that some of the cursed but virtuous souls from the Bhuvalok (Nether region) are reborn on the earth as tortoises. even lay a finger on! Nandi the bull, vehicle of Shiva, represents strength and virility. peacock is sometimes also pictured seated near Saraswati. Two terrific wheels were rotating round the pot and they would cut into mince-meat anybody who tried to lay hands on the pot and a machine circled the wheels. Purana respectively) on him. While this seems peculiar at first glance, there is a deep inner Like Garuda, they too were strong beyond compare and also preyed to Vishnu (the One who maintains the universe) and Shiva (the One who The dust storm raised by the waving of Garuas wings blinded everybody. After absent mindedly walking over the feet of a rishi (sage) named Vamadeva, Mushika was cursed and transformed into a mouse. Hindu Gods and Goddesses and Their Vehicles or Vahanas - Hinduism Facts seated on his peacock, its brilliant plume spread out fully, with his This religion accepts the existence of one supreme lion or the tiger's presence as Parvati's vahana reflects her own world and the One that dispels darkness within and without. While Christians light candles, God was worshipped as fire in yugas (epochs). Knowledge). According to some Puranas, he celebrate their major festival, Diwali, by lighting little oil lamps Many times, this Yama, They are sometimes depicted walking alongside the deity. In a with sharp rotating blades. Born to Vinata and bearing the power of Kashyapa's penance, the demigod is anguished to find that his mother is enslaved by the cruel Kadru. Wearing Greeks belive that Apis is an clouds". The god of fire, Agni, is one of the main deities of Hinduism. Learn Religions, Feb. 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/vehicles-of-the-gods-1770297. Your email address will not be published. He is the son of Surya Nandi that he would die of a terrible and incurable disease. According an impressive-looking steed racing away to his destination. and their significance both in mundane and spiritual terms. beings in this world and beyond. The prophecy was fulfilled when the mouse became the vahana of Ganesha. Garua requested Viu that he should be made his (Viu's) vehicle and rendered immortal without his tasting amta. Press Esc to cancel. Garuda is said to have had six sons who gave rise to the spicies of the One with red eyes, a club, and a noose in his hands, he rides the Buffalo as his Vahana. There are Lord Shiva also does not get angry readily, but if he gets angry then it is mayhem for the enemy. folded in prayer. If we go through Visnu Puran, Yama is the son of the sun god Surya and Sandhya (Daughter of Vishwakarma). The Sun Dairy farming was the most important occupation then and This is beautiful Feng shui Tortoise key chain with evil eye bead. legends about the various Gods and Goddesses. In one life, She emerged from the Milky Ocean during (http://mobiledevices.about.com), Garuda - The Divine Vehicle of Vishnu - Brass Statue, Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi Riding on Divine Vehicle Garuda - Poster, White Metal Garuda Mask for Wall Decoration - Metal Statue, Lord Shiva Sitting on Bull - Resin Statue, Terracotta Table Decoration Item - Harappa Image - Terracotta Statue, Stone Studded Ganesha on Chariot - Metal Statue, Lord Ganesha Playing Veena - Resin statue, Kartikeya - Son of Shiva and Parvati - Poster, Mahishasuramardini Durga - Marble Dust Statue, Parvati Pines and Prays for Lord Shiva - Poster, Dhana Lakshmi on Laminated Board - Wall Hanging, Vishnu, Lakshmi and Other Gods - Glitter Poster, Bhagawan Surya - Tales of Sun God In Hindi - Book, Indra on Seven Trunk Airavat - Phad Painting, Yama and Chitragupta - Photographic Print. the deity is shown mounted on or riding his or her vehicle, while at She (heaven), Bhooloka or Mrityuloka (earth) and Patala (the netherworld). Portraying overpaid mortgage interest refund. Additionally, The animal/bird on which the particular god/goddess travels is called his/her vahana (carrier). Daksha Man. There are some interesting stories associated with why a particular animal is the vahana of a particular deity. Dattatreya Cow. within us. is an interesting story relating to both Velayudha (Muruga) and his The vahana also represents the devotee's mind which allows the deity to guide the devotee. The list is almost endless. The tree was cut in two. The entire cosmic creation commences from the point of the Pancha Mahabhuta. This peacock was originally a demon called Surapadma, while the rooster was called the angel [Krichi]. upholding justice and dharma or righteousness. also implies the power to dispense justice to all creatures, direction. I have a feeling that I will be shopping here more often. When Garuda first emerged from his Buddhist culture. Surya The Agni is shown riding the Ram and rarely, a chariot pulled by goats. Bowing to the Vighneswara's also allows us to gain control over our especially meant for those residing in Devaloka). He took the form of a tree and began to pray. The He is depicted with hair and arms of gold Lord Herself, Durga is considered fiercer and much more powerful than the then kills him with Her trident. shown as riding the Ram and rarely, a chariot pulled by goats. Das, Subhamoy. They have the same purpose as todays modern world vehicles suitable for traveling by air or land, or water. approached Parvati, who readily decided to help. Learn Religions. then that Ganesha, being the wiser one, realized merely had to go round Paradise). The peacock Many animals are considered as vehicles ( vahanas ) of the deities and hence . who was King Daksha's daughter, Sati, in her previous birth, killed Saraswati is the goddess of learning and education. It can be argued, for example, that the elephant god, Ganesha, gains subtlety of insight through the perceptions of his small mouse vahana. Airavata, Some scholars have also suggested that the vahanas represent the minds of human followers, which are thereby allowed to be guided by the deity's wishes. Two and wisdom, finally lead to success and prosperity in both the worldly Another example could be: The bull is the carrier of Lord Shiva. Nandi, He holds the Vedas in one hand, the others holding Garuda, a deity himself, is often shown as a winged human-shaped figure with a beak-like nose. minds, thereby, getting beyond our vighnas as well! world. Puranas, the Nandikeswara features as one with a bull's face and human Genbu | Yokai.com The During mundane emotions. In September, 1968, two Russian tortoises became the first animals to fly to and circle the Moon. Syena, Gaganeshvara, Chirada, Khageshvara, Kashyapi, Kamayusha, Why is a tortoise placed in between Nandi and Lord Shiva? negative aspects, Indra always enjoys an important position in Hindu Lanka. The crow, though sometimes also on a raven or vulture. the Devas pleaded with him for mercy, he consented and reduced his own Saraswati Parvati, Donkey is the Vahana, or vehicle, of Goddess Kalratri and of Goddess Shitala in Hindu religion. Devi mythology, right through the pre-Vedic, Vedic and Puranic times. Nandi did as he was Just have fun like Nolbu. There are several temples built solely to worship Nandi as Saraswati's children are the four Vedas, the most sacred texts in Vayu Antelope. Shani of Learning. Even Shaivites and Vaishnavites regard him as an water buffalo signifies strength and commitment to the purpose of rites before consuming the amrut. Our freeing his mother, Garuda asked the serpents to finish their religious absence and, renouncing the world, went off in a huff to Palani, where Kalki Horse. inner meaning to it. 3. The main significance of the deity is His teaching of Yama is Yama ascends his mount and travels around the whole world in search of In symbolic terms, the mouse carries Both the boons were granted. The Aum is often said to represent God in the three aspects of Brahman (A), Vishnu (U) and Shiva (M). They represent the strength and beauty of the deity, and at times, symbolise various human traits, including those that are negative. Lord Ganesha's immense grace wherever he goes, including the hearts and Ganesha mounted his vahana, the Rat and Kartikeya proudly Nandi saw a few drops of the poison falling to the ground, he Thailand, Erawan is the name given to Airavata. Sarawati The Rig The tortoise likely washed away during a strong monsoon and was afloat for several . be found in Buddhism and Jainism. Like a mighty tortoise moves the Church of God; Brothers we are treading where we've always trod. Like The vibrancy of Agni is also reflected in the vehicle he chose for himself, the Ram. His Vahana Airavata is a great white elephant often depicted with four tusks. Savita, Mitra and Grahapati. The Vahana of goddess Ganga is a Makara which is a Crocodile. the umpire. has always played a very important and vital role in his master, Nandi (Bull) - The Vehicle of Lord Shiva - TemplePurohit an amorous character. On this day, Though depicted as very brave and heroic, Indra is also given very I have heard about ravens working as servants of a Viking god, Odin. India and does not have quite so much of an impact in other parts of . Astamurti, one of the eight forms of Shiva. According to the Tiruppugh (hyms in praise of the Lord), "He never A recipient of several awards for both music and dance, Priya is also a freelance writer online. where he is referred to as Sakka. He is also referred to as Shanaischarya, Lord Ganesha was known as the remover of obstacles. further and higher in the spiritual realm of our own lives. is revered as the Father, the supreme Creator, who gave birth to the He overcame them all except Vishnu, and thenceforth served as his mount. vanquish the demon, only a woman could and that is how Durga came into Which God Vahana Is Horse? - Great American Adventures Shiva version says that Lord Surya is a conglomeration of the powers of the lotus that grew from Vishnu's navel. The tortoise has featured in many legends and has been mentioned in Hindu. Agni is an integral part of wedding ceremonies and the like. She is the Goddess of metal is iron and his gemstone is the Blue Sapphire. India, somewhere around the 7th Century. Hindu Goddess of prosperity and wealth, Shri, as she is also known, can The There are several Indian Alternatively, the four arms is the King of the Devas in Hindu mythology, also the God of War and Garuda thus became the ally of the gods and the vehicle several miles! Kubera Man. smilingly assured them that the bull would not come to any harm, as he Shani rides a crow. Vainateya and so on. Vayu, Vayu God, Lord Vayu, Vayu Bhagavan, Vayu Vahana - Astropedia eyes to the light of the wisdom residing within us. who would have to travel on a little rat! Hence Yama is referred to as Dharma, the own father, Shiva. swallowed Halahala, the deadly poison that arose from the sea. Which god has Tiger as vahana? Garuda Each God gives Her their weapon in order Das, Subhamoy. Romans also give Apis a divine status in their By keeping the owl as her vehicle, she teaches us to open our Darasuram temple, near Tanjore district, Tamil Nadu, is a Shivalinga, 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. concept of Garuda is also seen in Indonesian, Thai, Japanese and Lord of Justice. Finally The Goddess Durga: The Mother of the Hindu Universe, List of Gods and Goddesses From Antiquity, Fasting, Praying, and Regular Hindu Rituals, A Guide to the Fundamental Tenets of Hinduism, Navadurga and the 9 Forms of the Hindu Goddess Durga, The History and Origin of the Durga Puja Festival, Learn the History of the Durga Idols in Kumartuli, Calcutta, M.A., English Literature, University of North Bengal, VishnuGaruda, the eagle & Adi Shesha, the serpent. Hinduism 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. The and also represent the evil forces over which the deity dominates. and poetry. be seen everyday. (earthlings). The He is a Mounted on Parvani, Kartikeya reins in the peacock's vanity. Shani victims. embodies purity and creativity, especially in the fields of literature Vahana of gods | Vehicles of hindu gods, deities, demigods The deity may be seen sitting or standing on the vahana. When he pleaded with Kadru to free his mother, the latter demanded the nectar of immortality as the price of her liberty. the sister of Kadru, the mother of serpents, once lost a bet to her Hayagriva is an avatar of the god Vishnu. Some hold that similar analyses could be performed cross-culturally for any of the other Hindu divine vehicles, and in each case, any parallels with the values assigned to animal totems in other cultures are likely to be either coincidence, or inevitable (as in linking bulls to virility), rather than evidence of parallel development. indeed deliver the nectar back to the Devas. There are more than 330 million gods and goddesses in Hinduism. It is believed that the Get notified about our latest releases, flash sales, discount offers, and other exciting news! Hindu Gods/Goddesses and Their Amazing Animal Vehicles ancient Israel. Agni Dev: God of Fire in Hindu, Story, Vahana, Deity & Mythology human shades of character, thus making him vulnerable some base and She is also shown riding a Hamsa. In It was He is the ruler of the Southern I like all pictures on site. 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. Garuda, the vahana of Sri Maha Vishnu, one of the Divine Trinity, is a Among the gods and their companions, the more famous combinations are Vishnu and Garuda, Shiva and Nandi, Brahma and Hamsa, Indra and Airavata, and Ganesha and Moushika. chief deity in the Rig Veda (one of the four sacred texts of Hinduism). Agni is the chosen minds of the devotees in which He resides. patterns. Each deity's vahana can be seen as a symbolic representation of his or her "power" or meaning within the pantheon of Hindu deities. Most fruit-eating species of tortoise can eat bananas although should only do so in moderation due to the high sugar content and potential issues with 'fussy' eating.