1. Hindu Concept of God

2. True or False?
Hinduism is polytheistic
Worship many gods

3. Concept of God
One supreme God that cannot be fully known or understood
Trimurti (three main deities)
Brahma, the creator
Vishnu, the preserver
Shiva, the destroyer
330 million different manifestations of Brahma
Each deity expresses different aspect of the divine

4. Monotheistic/Henotheistic?
Some call it a monotheistic religion
Worship only god (Brahma)
An entity without form, which is the source of all and to which all will return
No beginning or end
Some say Hinduism is henotheistic
Worship of one god without denying the existence of other gods

5. Concept of God Impersonal Transcendental Reality
No personal characteristics
Transcendental
Beyond the realm and reach of the sense; anything, everything, unlimited and indescribable
Reality
Only Brahma is real, all else is an illusion (maya)
Human soul (atman) is only temporary form of Brahman
Atman is Brahman and vice versa
Goal of life is to unite the atman with the Brahman

6. Trimurti: The Hindu Triad
Brahma - creator of all life
Vishnu - the protector/preserver who comes to earth in avatars (incarnation—think Jesus) such as Krishna and Rama
Shiva - the destroyer and restorer; responsible for the natural death

7. Trimurti Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
Work together in a never-ending pattern
Preservation: Vishnu
Destruction:
Shiva
Creation:
Brahma
The cycle of existence

8. Trimurti – Brahma (The Creator)
Set the world in motion
Gives order and structure for society and nature
Is considered above worship (deep respect) and so is not worshipped directly
Has four faces (all-seeing, all knowing)

9. Trimurti – Vishnu (The Preserver)
Has four arms in which he holds a conch shell, a discus, a lotus, and a mace
Loving and forgiving figure who brings salvation
His Incarnations are called avatars - 9 times so far
Often accompanied by his companion Lakshmi
His 9th avatar is Siddhartha Gautama (founder of Buddhism)
Hindus wait for the 10th avatar, Kalki, who will free the world of oppression

10. Trimurti – Vishnu (The Preserver)
Vishnu’s Avatars:
1. Matsya
2. Kurma
3. Varaha
4. Narasimha
5. Vamana 6. Parashurama
7. Rama
8. Krishna
9. Buddha
10. Kalki

11. Trimurti – Shiva (The Destroyer)
Destroyer and restorer of the universe
New life and spiritual growth depend on death, he is the most worshipped of these gods
Often depicted as Nataraj, the god of dance
Dance is energy that keeps the universe moving
Dancing on the monster of ignorance

12. Trimurti – Shiva (The Destroyer)
Often shown wearing a tiger-skin loincloth, with a drum, serpent, water from Ganges river in his hair

13. A word about symbols… Male deities often have female partners/consorts
Without female aspect the deities are incomplete/unbalanced
Female deities embody a strong cosmic energy known as Shakti
Tridevi is the triad of Hindu goddesses which includes Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswati

14. Saraswati Female partner of Brahma
Goddess of wisdom, learning, the arts, music
Often shown sitting on a lotus with a musical instrument and a swan nearby

15. Lakshmi
Wife of Vishnu
Goddess of wealth and prosperity

16. Parvati Gentle/nurturing aspect of the Mother goddess Shakti
One of the three female forms of Shiva’s partner/wife. Other forms include:
Durga, warrior goddess who slays demons
Kali, goddess of destruction and change

17. Ganesha Deity of wisdom, learning and remover of obstacles
Potbelly, four hands, elephant head
Son of Shiva

18. Krishna Avatar of Vishnu Blue skin Often depicted playing a flute
Hero of the Bhagavad Gita