1. HINDUISM
GODS AND GODDESSES

2. Hindus worship one God, Brahman
Hindus worship one God, Brahman. It may seem, however as if there are many gods and goddesses. This is because Hindus worship the many aspects of Brahman, as each one shows a different side.

3. The most prevalent manifestations of God are…..

4. Brahma In the form of Brahma, God made the world.
Therefore Brahma is the creator.
His 4 faces represent the 4 directions
The book represents the 4 Vedas

5. Brahma

6. Vishnu As Vishnu, God keeps the world going.
Therefore Vishnu is the preserver.
Hindus believe he comes to Earth to help in times of trouble.
They believe he has already come 9 times (as animals and people), and that he will return once more. These incarnations are called avatars.

7. Vishnu (continued) His 4 arms show that God has a lot to do
Weapons show God’s power over evil
The crown represents God’s importance
Flowers around his neck show that God is worshipped
Rich clothes and jewelry show the glory of God.

8. Krishna ~ Incarnation of Vishnu

9. Shiva As Shiva, God will destroy the world.
Therefore he is the destroyer and restorer of the universe.
His wife is Parvati.

10. Shiva (continued)
The dancing figure of Shiva shows his great power over the world
The drum in his right hand shows that he is the restorer of the world (it is the beat of life – like a heart beat).
He dances with his hair flying, as he holds all of nature in balance.

11. Shiva Nataraj

12. Other gods and goddesses include….
These three manifestations of God are called the Hindu Trinity.
Other gods and goddesses include….

13. Saraswati Saraswati is the Goddess of learning
She is the source of all knowledge

14. Lakshmi
Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, happiness and good fortune.

15. Lakshmi and Vishnu

16. Parvati She is a mother goddess.
Hindus believe she is the source of female energy
She is the wife of Shiva.

17. Ganesha He is the remover of obstacles.
He has a human body and an elephant’s head.
He is believed to be everyone’s protector.

18. Parvati, Shiva and Ganesha

19. Hanuman Durga

20. Kali