1. GODS AND GODDESSES Brahman manifests into male and female deities Goddess means ‘shakti’ which translates as ‘power’ or ‘energy’ Without the energy of shakti, male gods would have no power The Trimurti are male gods which represent different aspects of the endless cycle of existence. Creation, preservation and destruction Every male god has a goddess counterpart, e.g. Lakshmi is the consort of Vishnu

2. MAHADEVI – THE GREAT MOTHER Taken together, the various goddesses are all different aspects of Mahadevi - the ‘great mother’ or ‘mother goddess’ Taken together, the various goddesses are all different aspects of Mahadevi - the ‘great mother’ or ‘mother goddess’ However, whatever form they take, they are usually thought of as the wife or consort of one of the male deities However, whatever form they take, they are usually thought of as the wife or consort of one of the male deities

3. THE TRIMURTI AND THEIR CONSORT Parvati is the consort of Shiva Parvati is the consort of Shiva Lakshmi is the consort of Vishnu Lakshmi is the consort of Vishnu Saraswati is the consort of Brahma Saraswati is the consort of Brahma

4. GODDESSES Parvati Loyal and loving wife Durga Fierce warrior Kali Destruction and kills evil-doers Lakshmi Beauty, prosperity and well- meaning Saraswati Knowledge

5. HINDU GODDESSES Explore the characteristics of goddesses Investigate and report back to the class on a particular goddess Examine why goddesses are important to Hindus

6. TASK In pairs, decide which goddess you would like to find out more about. There is one goddess per group! Things to consider: Which god is she the consort of? Which god is she the consort of? What does she represent? What does she represent? What does her appearance say about her? What does her appearance say about her? What made you choose her? What qualities do you like/dislike? What made you choose her? What qualities do you like/dislike? Why do you think Hindus might choose to worship her? Why do you think Hindus might choose to worship her?

7. GODDESSES Parvati Loyal and loving wife Durga Fierce warrior Kali Destruction and kills evil-doers Lakshmi Beauty, prosperity and well- meaning Saraswati Knowledge

8. Parvati

9. Durga

10. Kali

11. Lakshmi

12. Saraswati

13. TASK In jotters, respond to the following statement: ‘It is impossible to think of God in a female form.’ ‘It is impossible to think of God in a female form.’HINT! Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Consider what you have learnt about the relationship between the masculine and the feminine in Hindu tradition Consider what you have learnt about the relationship between the masculine and the feminine in Hindu tradition Do you think it is important for Hindus to be able to worship goddesses? Why? Do you think it is important for Hindus to be able to worship goddesses? Why?

14. TODAY WE HAVE... Explored the characteristics of goddesses Investigated and reported back on a particular goddess Examined why goddesses are important to Hindus