The Beliefs of Hindu Gods, and their representations

When speaking of religions or varying faiths, it can be agreed that there is only one God, an absolute and formless entity that rises above all. This brings some people to wonder why certain faiths worship several gods, as very apparent in Hinduism. According to local explanations, this is a way for believers to experience divinity in various forms to suit particular times and situations. For one person, a certain god or goddess brings more purpose to his life. Thus, there are many Hindu gods, each representing a different virtue, role, and symbolism.

The Hindu Beliefs

Hinduism has many denominations under it, added to this are the different family traditions and regional practices. This diversity is one factor why several Hindu gods exist in this faith. Each person worships a certain god because of how he is raised and how it affects his personal life. However, this should not be taken as having many gods. There is only one Supreme Being and all other deities are extensions of him to personify his many aspects. Meaning, each of these deities carries a quality that describes the supreme god, Brahman. As to how many Hindu gods and goddesses there are exactly is still unknown. Some believe there are 33, and some think it is 33 million, while others say there are infinite forms of God. Along with this, there are also many forms and ways of worships according to different traditions.

The Trinity

Hindu gods are depicted in part human forms, sometimes intermingled with animal parts, with each part of the body having a symbolism. Within the many gods and goddesses in Hinduism, three tops the list. This is called the Trinity or Trimurti, and includes the following gods:

Brahma - He is the Creator and the Lord of Speech and Sound. He has four faces, each representing and reciting the four Vedas. His four arms represent the four directions (East, West, North, and South), as well as intellect, ego, self-confidence, and mind. He holds a book that symbolizes knowledge, and prayer beads, which he uses to keep track of time in his process of creation.

Vishnu - He is in charge of maintaining order and harmony in the universe. He is a man with four arms, each holding an attribute or weapon that he uses to balance the world. It is said that when good and evil becomes unbalanced in the universe, he transforms to his human form to bring balance back in preparation for Shiva’s destruction

Shiva - He is called the Destroyer. His destruction has a regenerative power, as it is just a means to bring forth creation. It is a cycle, duly guarded by the Trinity. His name is invoked in the beginning of religious rituals, as it is believed that it can remove evil vibrations within the vicinity.

Hindu Gods List

There are still many other gods worshipped in Hinduism. Some are: Ganesha, the god of wisdom and wealth; Kali, the goddess of time and change, Durga, the mother goddess; Lakshmi, the goddess of good fortune; Ganapati, Shiva’s son and the remover of obstacles; Varuna, the god of water and sky; Indra, the god of war; and, Hanuman, who symbolizes physical strength.

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