HIndu Blog Posts, About Hindu Gods, goddesses

Hindu God Shiva: Destroyer & Creator

Hindu God Shiva as Lord of Dance Nataraja — Shiva destroys and creates the world anew as the Lord of Dance, Nataraja!

When many first hear of the Hindu God of Destruction, Shiva, they automatically think of something evil or alarming. They think him something to be feared. Yet, his powers are constructive, not just destructive. He brings about necessary and beneficial transformation. It can be said that the world is in a constant state of flux. Just as life is given at birth, so too must it eventually cease to exist. In that same regard, the world is constantly evolving and partaking in birth, deaths, and rebirths.

Hindus believe that Hindu God Shiva is responsible for the destruction of the universe in order that he may then re-create it into a more perfect form. They believe that even now he infiltrates the world in order to shed illusion and destroy the worlds many imperfections. Not only is he the Destroyer, he can also be thought of as a god of change or formation, causing a constant cycle of destruction and creation in order to bring about necessary good.

There is no doubt that the world as we know it houses many flaws. In order to bring about real change, Hindus look to Shiva to re-create the world in a better image. Worshipers look to him for guidance in ridding their troubles. They may pray upon a Shiva statue so that he may bring about renewal in the world. Many worship Shiva as their primary God. Join Hindu’s around the world in worshiping Hindu God Shiva for both his destructive and constructive qualities.

Bring a Shiva or other Hindu statues into your home or place of worship from Lotus Sculpture.

Hindu God Vamana, Vishnu Avatar – The Dwarf Brahmin

Bronze Vishnu statue as the brahimn, dwarf avatar, Vamana leaping off the Hands of the Demon, Bali

The fifth avatar, Vamana, appeared in the Tretayuga in order to destroy Bali, the king of demons. The fourth lineal descendant of Hiranyakashyap, named Bali, through his devotion and penance defeated Indra, the Hindu god of firmament, humbled other gods and extended his authority over the three worlds. All the gods appealed to Lord Vishnu for protection and He became manifest in His Dwarf Avatar of Vamana for the purpose of restraining Bali.

When Bali was making a great religious offering, Lord Vishnu in the form of Vamana, a dwarf brahmin, appeared before him in the company of other Brahmins. Bali was extremely pleased to see a holy man with such a diminutive form and promised to give him whatever he should ask. Lord Vishnu asked only for as much land as he could measure by three steps. Bali laughingly agreed to grant the boon of three steps. Lord Vishnu grew in stature and thus stepped over heaven in his first stride and earth in the second stride. Then out of respect to Bali’s kindness and his grandfather Prahlad’s great virtues, Lord Vishnu stopped short and left him in pathal, the subterranean region. Thus, Vishnu as the dwarf brahmin Vamana, vanquished the demon king Bali and restored the three worlds to their rightful moral code. Bali’s capital was Mahabalipuram.

The Hindu God Ayyappan, Son of Shiva & Vishnu

The legend and history are intermingled in the genesis of the Hindu God Ayyappan. It is believed that Ayyappan was born as progeny of the union of the Hindu God Vishnu and the Hindu God Shiva. Vishnu appeared as Mohini, the beautiful enchantress – the alluring damsel appearing at the time of the churning of the Ocean Of Milk to entice the asuras and divide the nectar (Arnrith) among the Devas themselves. Shiva succumbed to the beauty of Mohini and Ayyappan was born out of this union. Hence his other name Harihara Putra (HARI-Shiva, HARA-Vishnu, PUTRA-Son). Ayyappan is regarded as the third son of Shiva, the other two being Ganesha and Murugan.

Ayyappan, the Celibate God of Kerala, is host to every religious trend and practice the Hindu faith ever manifested in its entire history. His temple is unique in India, in that there is no distinction of caste or religion in determining who can enter it. Non-Hindus are equally welcome.

The Spread of Hindu God Ganesh into Buddhism

Many people are unaware that although a renowned Hindu deity, Ganesh is also worshiped by Buddhists.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — View all our Hindu God Ganesh Statues

It is said that during the 10^th century, merchants traveling from Asia began to worship Lord Ganesh. As their devotion and teachings spread among the trading community, many other traders began to worship Ganesh as well. His role as Remover of Obstacles was very much important to their journeys in trade as the hoped for safe voyages and safety from harm while at sea. Lord Ganesh therefore became the primary deity associated with traders. They would invoke his image before any other god whenever hardship would arise.

When Hindus began to spread across to the Malay Archipelago in Southeast Asia they took with them not only their culture but their particular fondness for Ganesh. Statues were erected throughout the region in his honor. Hindus migration further into Southeast Asia such as in Indochina, brought the practice of worship of Hindu deity’s right alongside Buddhists. It is here that Buddhists alike began to adopt their fondness for Ganesh as Remover of Obstacles. Even today in Buddhist Thailand Ganesh is worshiped as God of Success. Within Mahayana Buddhism Ganesh is appears in the form of the Buddhist god Vinayaka. His image often appears in Buddhist scriptures shown dancing.

Avatar of Shiva: Virabhadra the Ferocious

Like many of the Hindu deities, Hindu God Shiva is said to have many Avatars. One such Avatar is that of Virabhadra. Virabhadra is said to have been born when Shiva grabbed a lock of his own hair and threw it upon the ground. He was a powerful being created by Shivas wrath when we wanted to destroy Dakshas Yagna, or fire sacrifice.

Legend has it that Dashkas youngest daughter Sati set her sights on Shiva at a young age. When she was at an age to marry, Dashka invited all the gods and princes together to find a suttor for her, leaving out Shiva. Furious that he did not invite the one she loved, Sati threw her wreath into the air calling upon Shiva. Shiva appeared with the wreath around his neck, forcing Dashka to allow her to marry her. Disapproving of the match however, Dashka again omitted Shivas attendance to a great fire sacrifice. Sati, out of fury, confronted her father. She condemned his actions and fell dead at her father’s feet.

When Shiva heard of this, he became enraged. Out of anger, her tore out a lock of his hair that with glowing with his furious energy. At this moment Virabhadra was born. His tall menacing body had a thousand arms, 3 burning eyes, and fiery hair. He was draped in skulls and carried unfathomable weapon. Shiva instructed him to destroy the fire sacrifice of Daksha and sever Daksha’s head. Vuraghadra is a said to be a tremendous warrior causing other gods to flee the battle field whenever he appears. No gods are a match to his fury and strength in battle.

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