1. THE HINDU VIEW OF GOD HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO DESCRIBE HINDUISM AS MONOTHEISTIC, POLYTHEISTIC AND MONISTIC?

2. GOD IN HINDU SCRIPTURES The view of the Ultimate Reality is expressed in the following revelation of the Rig Veda, the oldest Hindu scripture: "Ekam sat vipraha, bahudha vadanti." "Truth is one, the wise call It by various names.“ God is beyond definitions and cannot be limited to one name or form.

3. THE TRIMURTRI The Hindu trinity (or Trimurtri) connects to the view that creation is cyclical: Brahma –creator (with Saraswati) –not typically worshipped Vishnu –preserver (with Lakshmi) Shiva –destroyer (with Parvati)

4. THE HINDU PANTHEON Read the articles, “The Hindu Pantheon” and “Hindu Gods and their Cults” and pages 120-122 and 145-146 in Exploring World Religions (stop at “The Arya Samaj Movement”) and do the following: Summarize each heading, combining knowledge from both sources - describe the deity (appearance, mythology, consort), and the worship of the deity – include the “top 10 Hindu deities” Vishnu/Vaishnavas/Vaishnavites – be sure to include the term avatar, and the names of the scriptures where avatars of Vishnu appear Shiva/Siva/Shaivites – include the different forms that Shiva is depicted in (e.g. Nataraja) Shaktis – include names of main Shakti goddesses and what they represent

5. “EXPLANATION OF THE HINDU GODS” VIDEO

6. TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES Hindus have a multitude of gods and goddesses that symbolize the one abstract supreme being or Brahman. 1. Ganesha Ganesha elephant-deity riding a mouse son of Shiva and Parvati lord of success and destroyer of obstacles very popular.

7. TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES 2. ShivaShiva most powerful, complex deity in Hinduism known by many names - Mahadeva, Nataraja separate from those of other deities in temple Is sometimes worshipped as a phallic symbol called the ‘Shiva Lingam

8. TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES 3. KrishnaKrishna 9 th avatar of Vishnu very popular blue-skinned, sometimes depicted as a baby main character of the Bhagavad Gita – most popular of Hindu scriptures

9. TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES 4. RamaRama avatar of Vishnu, very popular symbol of chivalry and virtue - ideal son, husband widely believed to be a historical figure - "tribal hero of ancient India” Main character Hindu epic of Ramayana

10. TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES 5. HanumanHanuman helped Rama defeat evil, rescue Sita (Ramayana) one of the most popular avatar of Lord Shiva symbol of physical strength and devotion In times of trouble, Hindus will chant his name, sing his hymn. temples are among the most common public shrines found in India.

11. TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES 6. VishnuVishnu peace-loving, Preserver or Sustainer of life values order and truth When these values are under threat, Vishnu emerges to restore peace There are 10 major incarnations of Vishnu The devout followers of Vishnu are called Vaishnavas

12. TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES 7. LakshmiLakshmi Name means "Good Luck“ goddess of wealth Goddess of householders, favourite of women

13. TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES 8. DurgaDurga The Mother Goddess (Mahadevi Shakti) — known variously as Durga, Parvati and other names represents the fiery powers of the gods Durga is the divine “shakti” energy of Shiva usually portrayed as riding a lion, and carrying weapons in her many arms She is the protector of the righteous, and destroyer of evil.

14. TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES 9. KaliKali Kali (dark goddess) is the ferocious form of mother goddess Durga was born from the brow of Durga during a battle with evil forces She stands on the chest of her husband, Shiva. She carries weapons and wears a necklace of human skulls and a skirt of arms

15. TOP 10 HINDU DEITIES 10. SaraswatiSaraswati goddess of knowledge and learning Veda lessons often begin with chants to her - mother of the Vedas The goddess of art and music daughter of Shiva and Durga She endows human beings with speech, wisdom and learning.