Brahma• Trimurti (Trinity)• Four heads represent the
four Vedas• Lord of Creation• Little devotion – possibly
cursed; already created world, man, etc.
Vishnu• Trimurti (Trinity)• Dark complexion, rest on
the ocean on a bed of serpents
• Lord of protection, sustenance; preserver of life
• Rescues people from evils and trouble• Very popular
Shiva
• Trimurti (Trinity)• Four arms, usually
depicted in the “dance of destruction”, surrounded by fire
• Lord of destruction• Destroys all the bad/evil
qualities in people
Saraswati• Shakti• Beautiful & elegant, white
in color on a white lotus, typically playing an instrument
• Goddess of wisdom and learning, patron of music/arts
• Worshipped for knowledge in education, business, & life
Lakshmi
• Shakti• Beautiful, seated on a
lotus with four arms giving out money and holding lotuses; with elephants
• Goddess of prosperity, love, and beauty
• Worshipped for assistance in the above three
Durga• Shakti• 8 or 10 arms carrying
weapons, lotus, etc; riding a tiger
• Mother Goddess, creative feminine force, name means inaccessible
• Protector of righteousness, destroyer of evil (Shiva’s wife)
Ganesh(a)
• Lesser god / Avatar • Elephant head, pot belly • Lord of Obstacles &
Beginnings • Most worshipped as
remover of obstacles, patron of arts & sciences (most popular of all Hindu gods)
Rama
• Avatar• Physically strong, holding
a bow• Example of justice, peace,
morality, & virtue• Seen as a role model of
behavior that all Hindus should aspire to
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