Major Deities of Hindu Religion

Major Deities:-

Dashavtar

Vishnu:- Vishnu, the Inconceivable Supreme, is the Supreme God in Vaishnavism sect of Hinduism. "Vishnu" means "all pervading" supreme being, the source of everything. In the Vishnu he is called Paramatman or Parameshwara(the highest form of God), and is periodically reborn as an Avatar upon earth in order to destroy evil and bring deliverance to the pious. He is also the refuge of the Devas in their battles against Asuras. The most martial Avatars include Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Mohini, Vamana, Parshurama, Rama, Krishna,Kalki. He is also considered to be the first God, 'Adideva'. He is beyond birth, death, time. He is Beyond all. In battle, the Avatars of Vishnu are aided by a variety of astra or celestial weapons. His two human avatars, Parashuram and Rama were fearsome warriors and possessed many celestial weapons that accompany the past times of Vishnu. Sri Krishna also used a few of these weapons in Mahabharata. These include:

· Kaumodaki:- The divine mace weapon of Vishnu; invincible and without parallel, Krishna slayed demon Dantavakra with it. Would destroy whole armies. Infallible and without parallel. Lord Krishna slayed Demon Dantavakra with it.

· Kodandam:- The bow of Rama, 7th avatar of Vishnu.

· Nandaka:- The sacred sword of Vishnu. It had a blade which was indestructible. It was used by Lord Krishna to kill countless demons.

· Narayanastra:- Narayanastra is the most powerful astra in the universe along with the Vaishnavastra. The personal missile weapon of Vishnu in his Narayana (Naraina) form, this astra lets loose a powerful tirade of millions of deadly missiles simultaneously. The intensity of the shower increases with resistance. The only solution is total submission before the missile; only then will it cease. The Narayanastra was first used by Rama in the Ramayana. Then, thousands of years later, this astra was again used by Ashwathama in the Kurukshetra War against the Pandava army.

· Parashu:- The axe of Parashurama, 6th Avatar of Vishnu, given by Shiva.

· Sharanga:- The bow of Lord Vishnu, also called as Vaishnav Dhanush was used by Sri Rama then Sri Krishna

· Sharkha:- The bow of Krishna, 8th avatar of Vishnu.

· Sudarshan Chakra:- The magical Chakra, a spinning disc with sharp outer spears. It is the most powerful Shastra in the universe, and without any parallel. The Chakra was famously designed by Vishwakarma for Vishnu. The Sudarshan flies at the command of Krishna, spinning away to tear off the heads of His opponents, or to perform any function desired by Vishnu. It was most famously used by His Avatar Krishna in the Mahabharata. Apart from Lord Vishnu, only Arjuna was capable to use Sudarshan Chakra.

· Vaishanavastra:- Vaishnavastra is the most powerful astra in the universe along with the Narayanastra. The personal missile weapon of Krishna, once fired it cannot be thwarted by any means, save by the will of Vishnu Himself.

11th-century statue of Shiva performing the dance of destruction

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Shiva:- Mahadeva literally means "Highest of all gods". He is the Supreme God in Shaivism sect of Hinduism. He is the Supreme God without any starting or end. Shiva is also known as Maheshwar, "the great Lord", Mahadeva, the great God, Shambhu, Hara, Pinakadhrik, "bearer of the Pianka " and Mrityunjaya, "conqueror of death". He is the spouse of Shakti. He also is represented by Mahakala and Bhairava. Shiva is often pictured holding the damaru, an hourglass-shaped drum, along with his trishula, a trident -staff. His usual mantra is Om Namah Shivaay(Earlier I descript about Om in detail in my older posts https://www.aathmy.com/2018/09/about-aumom.html). Shiva is also considered as the God Of Gods. The existence which represents infinity itself. He is the supreme masculine divinity in this universe and is lord of the three worlds (Vishwanath) and is second to none in wrath and power.

The Lord Destroyer, Sarvaripati Shiva is one of the most fearsome manifestation of the Supreme God. Assigned with destroying all of the universe at the end of time, Shiva is one of the most fearsome warriors and unconquerable. Tandava is the dance of the Destroyer, which He performs over the body of a demon. Shiva employs his power to kill the Asura Tripura, destroying the flying three cities of Tripura. In battle, Shiva and his Avatars deploy formidable weapons controlled by him. Some of these are:

· Arrow of Shiva:- It can destroy creation. Returns to the quiver after being used.

· Chandrahas:- Sword of Ravana granted by Maha Shiva as a boon. The divine sword Chandrahas (Chandra-Moon, Has-laugh, literally 'the laughter of the moon' but referring to the shape formed by a crescent moon which resembles a smile) was given to Raavan with a warning that if it was used for unjust causes, it would return to the three-eyed Lord Shiva and Ravana's days would be numbered.

· Ekasha Gada:- The mace of Shiva. A blow from the weapon is the equivalent of being hit by a million elephants.

· Girish:- A special sword of Shiva with unique characteristics.

· Jayantha Vel:- A spear which contains the power of the third eye of Shiva.

· Khatvanga:- In Hinduism, the god Shiva - Rudra carried the khatvāṅga as a staff weapon and are thus referred to as khatvāṅgīs.

· Maheshwara Chakra:- The Chakra of Shiva.

· Parashu:- The axe of Shiva given to Parashurama (the 6th Avatar of Vishnu). The Parashu (axe) was an unconquerable and indestructible divine weapon given to Lord Parashurama by his Guru Lord Shiva along with other divine weapons due to the extreme devotion of Lord Parashurama. Lord Parashurama later gave this axe to Lord Ganesha. Parashurama means Rama who wields the axe as Rama was the name Lord Parashurama was known by till he acquired the axe from Lord Shiva.

· Pashupatastra:- An irresistible and most destructive personal weapon of Shiva, discharged by the mind, the eyes, words, or a bow.

· Pinaka:- The celestial bow of Shiva.(Shiva's bow): A bow given by Shiva to Janaka and broken by RAma during Sita's swayamvara

·Vijaya Dhanush Vijaya(bow):- A bow given by Shiva to parashurama to kill Kshatriyas

· Shiva Kaakam:- An unconquerable weapon of Shiva.

· Shiva Parham:- A long noose (of Shiva) from which even the Gods can't escape from.

· Shiva Vajra:- A vajra 100 times more powerful than Indra’s Vajra

·Teen Baan:- Shiva gave Barbarika three infallible arrows (Teen Baan). A single arrow was enough to destroy all opponents in any war, and it would then return to Barbariak's quiver.

· Trishula (Trident):- The trident of Shiva

· Third eye:- The third eye situated in the center of the forehead of Shiva (also the point where the three nadis – Ida, pingala and Suhasmana meet – pituitary gland) is the most destructive weapon/power in the entire universe. It is proved to destruct kaala (time) hence ending all the creation. Once opened for a purpose, its immense energy is so intense that it can burn down the entire universe into ashes. No other weapon can match its powers.

Third Eye

Shakti:- Shakti is the Supreme God in Shaktism Sect of Hinduism. Both a Supreme Being and an energy that is considered to be the source of all works of creation, preservation and destruction,Adi Parashakti is the mother of Trimurti, the universe and all of creation. She took many incarnations to fight with demons, including Parvati, wife of Shiva the complete avatar of Shakti herself, according to the Devi Gita and Durga Saptashati, the main scriptures for Shakti worshipers. As the goddess Parvati, she is considered to be the most powerful of all deities.

Sometimes, the gods worship Parvati, who came before them in different avatars:

· Durga, who killed the demon Durgamasur

· Kali, the most ferocious Form of the Goddess, who can not be pacified by anyone after war. No one can stop her because she is the only deity who is omnipotent, free from all rules and regulations.

· Chandi, the gentle manifestation of Durga or Kali, who killed Mahishasura in the Battle of Alkapuri.

· Kanyakumari, who killed Banasura

· Chamunda, who killed Chanda and Munda

· Kaushiki, who killed Shumbha and Nishumbha

· Minakshi, who defeated all the demigods and destroyed the arrogance of all demigods.

Shakti is usually depicted as having the weapons of all the gods, even the Trimurti. She holds the trident of Shiva, the Chakra of Vishnu, the Vajra of Indra, the Gada of Yamaraj. It indicates that she is the one who actually having all kinds of powers. It is she from whom strength arose. It is she from whom all powers of non dimensional formless GOD is vested. She is all powerful. All in one and one in all too.

Nau Devi