Interestingly, she has the Vahan Owl called Ulka as her Vehicle. The storm god Lord Indra carries thunderbolts as his weapons and is also a bringer of rains to the earth. Besides wisdom, the bird also symbolizes patience and intelligence. 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. Brahmas Vahana is a goose or a swan. She is the river of consciousness that enlivens creation; she is the dawn-goddess whose rays dispel the darkness of ignorance. Here are some of the Deities and their vahanas. Different gods have different vahanas (animal vehicles). The Hindu god of death Yama has four dogs with four eyes protecting his house. In this manner, the vahanas are in the tradition of spirit animal symbols found in mythologies worldwide. Vishnu, the Preserver/Protector mounts an eagle-like creature called Garuda. We have come to know him through numerous ancient scriptures and religious texts. Bhairava's vahana (vehicle) is Shwaswa, the dog. Nandi the bull, vehicle of Shiva, represents strength and virility. In Hindu Dharma, Yama is known as the God of Death. The lion is the vahana for both Durga and Parvati. Vishnu mount carries Vishnu to Vaikuntha (Heaven), where he lives. The sun god, Surya, mounts on a golden chariot, pulled by seven white horses. Durga Tiger or Lion. Makhwana Road, Marol, Andheri East, Ganesha, by mounting the mouse, thereby symbolically conquers impure desires, spiritual darkness and pride. In Mahabharata Yudhistir, pleaded that the dog that shadowed them all through their penance should be given a place in heaven. He is not very popularly known amongst the Brahmanas and is mainly worshipped by non-brahmins or the lower castes and tribes. Traditionally, Hindu funeral rituals consist of chants or mantras, which are led by an officiant, who is usually a Hindu priest or the bereaved eldest son. At Hindusinfo.com, we learn and share every day about Hinduism methods, gurus, scriptures and its benefits. In this capacity, the vahana is often called the deity's "mount". He is the remover of obstacles, the deity whom worshippers first acknowledge when they visit a temple. Most of the Vahanas of gods and goddesses are worshipped by Hindu devotees with offerings of food and prayers. 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. Another deity linked intimately with dogs is Dattatreya who is a merged deity of the trinity of Brahm, Viu and iva. Some deities have more than one vahana. The seven horses are representative of the seven major sins and how the Sun God triumphs over them. Tags: Aspects of Lord Ganesha, Ganesh Chaturthi Stories, Lord Ganesha. The deities have their respective animal or mount that are used to travel long or short distances and these are animals are the Vahanas. The word Hamsa is a combination of two words, aham+ sa. It means I am he. The bird hamsa is beautiful, peaceful, and graceful. Interestingly, the ram is a sacrificial animal, which has been linked to the Hindu fire god, to whom sacrifices are offered. Garua requested Viu that he should be made his (Viu's) vehicle and rendered immortal without his tasting amta. Another possibility is symbolization. Airavata was actually why the ocean was churned in the first place. Sarama is the female dog, who is considered as the mother of all dogs. The eagle, as we all know, preys on snakes too. Deities, including the many forms of Shakti, are associated with an animal or bird that acts as a vahana, or vehicle. Limited time offer - Save 30% off all videos, use code: 30OFFVIDEO. These vahanas are their constant companions. Credit: Public Domain. 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. Her lion or tiger acts as her means of transportation and one of her many weapons. Archaeologists have concluded that the animal that was revered as Anubis was an Egyptian canine, the African jackal. The Vahanas are the divine vehicles/mounts of the Hindu Gods. 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. 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 . But Kubera is sometimes depicted riding a Nara or a Man. When he pleaded with Kadru to free his mother, the latter demanded the nectar of immortality as the price of her liberty. As the old wives tale goes the peacock is contented with its magnificent plumes but is deeply embarrassed by its unattractive legs. 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. IndraElephant Saraswati is the goddess of learning and education. He is the destroyer and restorer, symbolizing sensuality and the wrathful avenger. In Hinduism, Vahana has a great significance as the Vehicles of gods and goddesses. Shitala is prayed to with the hope that shell ward off chicken pox, measles and sores. But is it a real eagle or is it the spaceship of Lord Vishnu, which is depicted as an eagle by ancient Hindus, is unclear. Paundraka, the black buffalo that Yama is said to ride, was born from Rudras thigh. Bats are the primary animals that help to disperse seeds and aid pollination in temperate and tropical forests. Hence, Garuda is the carrier of Vishnu. The Hamsa is a gentle and beautiful bird that stands for its beauty, elegance, poise, and dancing skills. Garua blinded those eyes by raising a torrent of dust, pierced them in the middle with his beak and through the hole, his body reduced to such a tiny shape, went nearer to the pot. Das, Subhamoy. 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. 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. Some feel that the mouse is representative of the egoistic mind, as it can metaphorically gnaw on the virtues of man. 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. He is also known as the god of the war. Seated on Dinka the rat (Mushika), Ganesha crushes useless thoughts, which multiply like rats in the dark. It symbolises that our demonic thoughts would be subdued 'in the hands of God. In some paintings, the god takes the role of Vahana or vehicle of Bhairava. 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. Each vehicle is very different and of divine nature, because it is forever in contact with the gods and . YamaMale Buffalo It is believed that Lord Hanuman did not need a Vahana because he could fly himself and go anywhere. Narayana, The Ancient and Sacred Name of God. She summoned Ayyappa to fetch the milk. 1) Elephant. Garuda carries Vishnu to Vaikuntha (heaven) where he lives. Parvani the peacock, vehicle of Kartikeya, represents splendor and majesty. Yama, perched on the buffalo roams around the world, searching for souls which are about to exit the earthly abode. 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The goddess that is Shivas wife in her most gentle form is called Parvati. Surya has given a Rooster which also stood as a symbo. There are also some people who believe that dogs are an incarnation of Bhairav. Agni, the fire god, rides a ram. Ganesha, remover of obstacles, cannot go everywhere despite his elephant-like strength. It is said that after defeating Tarakasura, the god forgave him and transformed him into his ride, the peacock. In this capacity, the vahana is often called the deity's "mount". Vahanas, in hindu mythology, are the vehicles or 'mounts' of the devas or gods. 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. Nandi is Shivas ardent devotee. Mumbai 400059, Maharashtra, India Hanuman (He Does Not Have a Vahana). These vehicles, which are either animals or birds, represent the various spiritual and psychological forces that carry each deity and representit. In India also because to colonialism dog meat is banned but the beef was not banned because of the British rule back then.. Crow is the vahana of planet Saturn and Garuda/eagle of God Vishnu (Please read my articles on Vahans for more details). and also represent the evil forces over which the deity dominates. These fifteen questions test your knowledge of the associations between god or goddess and vahana. Also, lets keep in mind that the goddess rides a tame lion. Airavata besides being Indras vahana is believed to, along with his siblings, hold up the eastern hemisphere of the globe. The Future Vahana Agni is the Hindu god of fire and is present in every fire that is lit. 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. The son of sage Kashyapa and Aditi is a prominent figure in Hinduism and is often considered on the same level as Indra in the hierarchy of the Devas. Lord Vayu granted her wish and she gave birth to a boy who was immensely powerful and strong. 4. Certain ceremonies involve dogs in practices like giving food to dogs for particular doshas or problems in astrology.. Bull also represents strength. Image credit: Wikipedia. Since that day, Garuda developed acrimony with snakes and started feeding on them. Left: Peacock - Kartikeya (peacock named Parvani, pictured), Kaumari. One of the seals shows Agni / Ravi's symbol (a wheel sign: 'ra') and is prominently shown. She is the supreme god and also identified with Parvati, also referred to as the mother of Lord Kartikeya and Lord Ganesha. In fact, the religion has bestowed the fur, feathers and fins species the status of divinity by linking their multifarious gods and goddesses to various animals. In the Vedic tradition, Lord Vayu is the friend of Indra. When the elephant is the vehicle that Shani Dev comes on riding, it is considered ominous. Garuda is seen as clutching two snakes and with serpents garlanded around him. The god of creation is called Brahma. Shiva Bullock. "Hey! The vahana, usually depicted with the deity, is sometimes a real animal or bird, sometimes a mythological creature, and ocasionally, a composite made up of different creatures! 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. 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. He is considered supreme in some traditions. 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 . Upon the partnership between the deity and his vahana is woven much iconography and Hindu theology. and also represent the evil forces over which the deity dominates. 1 Answer. Durga Lion Then, without warning, his name and his functions were transferred to the aspect of Shiva known as the deity Nataraja. Vayu Antelope. February 12, 2016. A bull works hard and expects very little, but if it gets angry, then it is hard to control it. She is also the dog of the Gods who assisted Lord Indra to regain his stolen holy cows. Athena, though also a goddess of prosperity, is primarily the goddess of wisdom, and her owl symbolizes secret knowledge and scholarship. Varuna is also worshipped for the sake of rain. At many events food offerings are given to dogs while performing certain ceremonies of death. They play a vital role in helping to regenerate and . They are also believed to be protectors of the gates of heaven and hell. Later, the queen had a biological child. The dog (Shvan) is also the vahana or mount of the Hindu god Bhairava. The Ram signifies power, strength, and vitality. Required fields are marked *, Powered byWPtouch Mobile Suite for WordPress, October 3, 2015 1 comment. The list is almost endless. Reason for Owl as vahan of Mata Lakshmi. He portrays fairness and equality between all the castes and was a beggar who performed religious begging. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/vehicles-of-the-gods-1770297. God Indra is also often depicted ridingUchchaihshravas,a seven-headed flying white horse, similar to Sleipnir, the horse of Norse God Odin. 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. Some ancient beliefs also say that black dogs are the rebirth of the fearsome god, Bhairava. The vehicles have symbolic meaning and represent the status and strength of the deities. Your email address will not be published. She had a passion for writing about India's lifestyle, culture, tradition, travel, and is trying to cover all Indian Cultural aspects of Daily Life. Goddess Ganga is worshipped across the country. It can be argued, for example, that the elephant god, Ganesha, gains subtlety of insight through the perceptions of his small mouse vahana. 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. "Vehicles of the Hindu Gods: the Vahanas." 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. Agni, the Fire God, rides upon a ram, and so on. The Hindu faith, the cradle of which is India, is a religion which dotes upon the birds and animals. It is interesting how each of them has its significance and meaning.. Both the boons were granted. Shiva, the destroyer, rides a bull named Nandi. 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. . Estimated time: 4 mins. Durga is the most splendid manifestation of Devi. Ask your questions related to love, relationships, career, and other areas of life and get answers by expert astrologer. This rodent was actually a god named Kroncha in his previous life. Ganga Crocodile. 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. Hunting is believed to be a sin as per the Brahmanas. At that very moment, Lord Ganesha sat on its back. It is interesting to note that such a small mouse can carry the weight of such a huge god. . The vahana also increases the god's power through their association. 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. Sometimes the Vahanas engage in their own battles against each other. 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. 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. 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Paintings, the destroyer, rides upon a ram, and her Owl symbolizes secret knowledge scholarship... Parvati, also referred to as the god & # x27 ; s & quot ; consciousness enlivens... Their own battles against each other mythologies worldwide mumbai 400059, Maharashtra India... One of the devas or gods human traits, including those that are used to travel long or distances! Carries thunderbolts as his weapons and is also the dog the egoistic mind as! The main deities of Hinduism pollination in temperate and tropical forests despite his strength... Against each other your questions related to love, relationships, career, and on!