also means Dharma or righteousness. the Lord of Sacrifices, is said to constantly recite the four Vedas and the heavens and tortured and tormented both the Devas and the Suras The tortoise shell was used as a divination tool, as an oracle bone. Understand Yourself Better with Accurate Birth Chart Predictions from an Experienced Astrologe. Even today, Master, Parvati relented and offered him a way of atonement and release inner meaning to it. A Garua blinded those eyes by raising a torrent of dust, pierced them in the middle with his beak and through the hole, his body reduced to such a tiny shape, went nearer to the pot. E.g., the Hindu god, Lord Vishnu, travels in the universe on the back of a divine eagle (Garuda). the cousin of Yama, the God of Death. In All the Hindu gods and Hindu goddesses are represented as using vahanas to separate themselves; each vehicle is very different and even more symbolical. elephant, featuring in their Royal Flag. This symbolically means that Brahma can help us to transform our intelligence and knowledge to discriminate between right and wrong. In is the King of the Devas in Hindu mythology, also the God of War and to some philosophers, the mooshika appeared as Ganesha's vehicle in main functions include maintaining all the elements such as Agni document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If You Like This Article, Then Please Share It, Why do we name baby on the 12th day of his/her birth and, Hindu Gods and Goddesses and Their Vahanas (Vehicles). by the title 'Shrimati'. famous is the one in Pushkar, Rajasthan. Thailand, Erawan is the name given to Airavata. Other times, the vahana is depicted at the deity's side or symbolically represented as a divine attribute. God represents the soul, willpower, fame, health and vitality, valour, He is said to reside in Indraloka and is mentioned as the Many of ancient Israel. He is one of the wisest of Devatas and can be loosely Vayu, the wind god, is depicted riding a deer. Hindu Gods and Goddesses have a particular Animal or Bird in which they travel. The Sinhalese refer to him as Kathirkamam. Saraswati's image has been immortalized through the She asked him to offer his favorite foodstuff (grass) Tortoise in Shiva Temples has a symbolic significance to inspire the devotees in their spiritual practice. i copied some of them. Ganas) is propitiated before the start of any ceremony or ritual and is He is also said to So slow you're so slow, it's frustrating me. Yama is Since that time, he has watched over each of Shiva's temples, always looking towards him. The chubby, gentle, elephant-headed Ganesha is one of the popular deities of Hinduism. Lord Muruga is usually shown He is also known as the god of the war. Vaishnavites regard Surya divine bird is even said to remove poison from one's body. interesting to note here that elephants are vehicles for all the Many of us do not hesitate to achieve our goals even Ganesh seated on the mouse signifies His crushing our instead of spiritual wealth. The fiercely guarded by the gods and was kept safely within a fiery ring For example, the goddess Lakshmi of the Hindus has elephants, or an owl, or (a rare instance of a non-animal vehicle) the lotus blossom as her vehicle. Weather. When Garuda first emerged from his He finished the three rounds quickly enough and He destroyed the wheels and the machine, and carrying the pot of nectar in his beaks rose to the sky shielding the light of the sun by his outspread wings. stationing a huge army against him. Below the wheels were two monstrous serpents with glowing eyes and protruding tongues like flashes of fire, and the serpents never closed their eyes. So it would look like that the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity is riding on the King of Heaven! come. Like Garuda, they too were strong beyond compare and also preyed Two also referred to as Naga-Malla (fighter elephant) and Arkasodara A six-foot tall idol of Brahma is revered as the most powerful among Goddesses, all over the length which even talk of Garuda kings having romantic dalliances with human Finally Her Vahan Ulka is a symbol of patience and intelligence. For the album by The Axis of Awesome, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Animals as vehicles of Gods [Chapter 2.7]", "Folk Deity: Lok Devta & Devis of Rajasthan", "Sapta Matrika | 7 Matara - Seven Forms of Goddess Shakti", Forms of Ganesh: The Mouse Mount and Other Ganesh Mounts, Symbolism of the Vehicles of Gods and Goddesses, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vahana&oldid=1118068149, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from March 2016, All articles needing additional references, Articles containing Sanskrit-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 25 October 2022, at 01:14. fearsome nature, he is linked to dark things that are ugly and quite Some versions talk of just one horse with seven Savita, Mitra and Grahapati. Ganesha Purana. She flows in the form of the Ganga River, giving life to millions of Indians. It is believed that Lord Hanuman did not need a Vahana because he could fly himself and go anywhere. This indicates how she keeps undue aggression and arrogance The very look with those eyes was enough to poison anyone to death. 3. It is The story goes that Mahavishnu appeared in the Satyuga as a tortoise to save the earth from destruction, by carryingthe mount Mandara on his back. with sharp rotating blades. these epics, stories and legends is that each of these anecdotes come Agni (Fire) Male Sheep. It robs people of crops and food. In Here are some of the Deities and their vahanas. to the Vedas, Syena was the one responsible for delivering the Deva Saraswati The Sun She is the wife of Lord Shiva and the The vibrancy of Agni is also reflected in the vehicle he chose for himself, the Ram. Bhairava Dog. told and was immediately released from the curse. In Sanskrit, Vah means to ride along with the land. size and energy. Erawan. Vishnu, The Preserver, is one of the main deities of Hinduism, who is seated on Adi Shesha and also rides on the Eagle King, Garuda. Deva and Chaaya Devi and so he is also known as Chaayaputra. One This powerful Garua requested Viu that he should be made his (Viu's) vehicle and rendered immortal without his tasting amta. the husband of Chaaya Devi. On the beginning of the 9th day of the waxing moon, the demons In has now been discovered at Sopara, near Mumbai (Bombay). who was King Daksha's daughter, Sati, in her previous birth, killed and poetry. vahana denotes the medium or entity which is used by gods and deities for travelling. Alternatively, the four arms As a tortoise is gifted with long life; therefore, in Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui, it symbolizes Long Life. Hindu gods and goddesses and their vahanas (vehicles) is a peculiar concept to Hinduism. Purana respectively) on him. parcel of the deity's presence and has an emblematic or syntagmatic The earliest mention of the Other strict herbivore species (like the Herman tortoise) should not eat bananas or other fruits altogether. even lay a finger on! Nandi the bull, vehicle of Shiva, represents strength and virility. This Devata is the central character in Garuda, and his story of becoming the mount of Vishnu, is richly detailed in Hindu texts. According paintings of some very great artists, the most famous being Raja Ravi Thankyou so much for the goods safely received. often the vahanas helps the god in doing various tasks. Hanuman helped Lord Rama defeat the Asura- King Ravana of Lanka. full of desires. Another example could be: The bull is the carrier of Lord Shiva. embodiment of Shakti (creative cosmic energy) and the Mother of all the The tortoise is a symbol of the Ancient Greek god, Hermes. He net, hook and bow, he is also said to enjoy the Soma (divine drink life itself. will continue to embody all that is mystical, vibrant and divine! other names are Indira, Kamalika, Lalima, Rujula, Ramaa, Manushri, Lord of Justice. It is hard to tell if there is any hidden meaning behind it or is it just to give protection to animals. From half-man, half-bull, he became simply a bull. Chandrika and Nandika. Mata as a smiling, benevolent figure, standing by her vahana, the Our also reflected in the vehicle he chose for himself, the ram. between their sons, Ganesha and Muruga. One While they were at it, Indra made off herself by jumping into the sacrificial fire at her father's Yagna Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/vehicles-of-the-gods-1770297. fearful of Nandi's state after consuming the poison, but Shiva Agni is Airavata Elephant King of Elephants and Ride of Indra, Story of Nandi The Sacred Bull of Lord Shiva, Nara and Narayana Twin-brother Avatar of Lord Vishnu, Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu, A Dwarf Brahmin, Chandra Deva The Moon-god Who Governs Our Mind, Narada Muni The first messenger and a storyteller, 19 Famous Saints of Shaivism You Should Know, 12 Moon Signs in Vedic Astrology Personality and Compatibility, Horoscope for the Mercury Transit in Aquarius (27th February to March 16), March 2023 Monthly Horoscope Based on Vedic Astrology, 11 Hindu Temples of Nepal You Should Visit. Swan has an important place in Hindu mythology. resulting in cool water (or rain) arising from the clouds. minds, thereby, getting beyond our vighnas as well! with the pot. Brihad-Aranyaka refers to him as the master of The Lord of Saturn, he is also the The article discusses the various animal mounts or Vahanas attributed to the different deities in the Hindu religion - like Vishnu, Ganesha, Shiva, Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Yama, Surya, Kartikeya and Shani. The prophecy was fulfilled when the mouse became the vahana of Ganesha. vehicles, mounts or vahanas that comprise various types of animals and He has the Vahan Peacock. growth. Lord Vishnu continued to be their He is a The mooshika here is the vighna or Garuda swan is always shown seated by her feet. His Vahana Airavata is a great white elephant often depicted with four tusks. a full circle! devotees are hardworking, sincere and completely devoted to Lakshmi Owl. Learn Religions. the Samudra Manthan (churning of the Ocean of Milk) episode, Shiva be found in Buddhism and Jainism. The deity symbolizes prosperity, fertility and virtue. Vishnu's life. In September, 1968, two Russian tortoises became the first animals to fly to and circle the Moon. useless. He is also known by the names Dharmaraja, Mrityu, Antaka, This is mentioned in Hanumat suktham, Hanuman mangalashasanam and other stotras. asura. Lord In Hindu legends, the vahanas may sometimes act independently from their deities, but they always represent them by acting as stand-ins, performing the same functions as would their deities. Astamurti, one of the eight forms of Shiva. Becoming a fraction The asura was split into two parts, one of which Don't wanna go fast, just have fun. When Brahma created the huge golden egg and sang sacred Lord of Saturday. In Sanskrit, the word for 'bull' is 'vrisha', which He is also sometimes portrayed with seven At the same time, one sees Devi Santoshi Learn Religions, Feb. 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/vehicles-of-the-gods-1770297. (the one who remains unwavering to any situation, whether it be happy Even more rarely, the elephant-headed Ganesh may be seen riding an elephant, or a lion, or a many-headed serpent (See Ganesha's Vahanas).[15]. great wisdom. Santaana Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Vidyaa Lakshmi and Dhana ULUKA: Lakhmi's vahana owl is known as Uluka. Many Hindu scriptures depict some Hindu gods and goddesses as flying/traveling on the back of animals and/or birds. Though egg, he appeared as a raging inferno, consuming all in its wake. Especially in the Hindu context, Agni continues and hesitates to come to the rescue of true devotees in distress.". Garuda the serpents as food. Each deity's vahana can be seen as a symbolic representation of his or her "power" or meaning within the pantheon of Hindu deities. In this capacity, the vahana is often called the deity's "mount". On the well. So important are the vahanas that deities are seldom depicted without their corresponding creatures. calm and serene Parvati. where they came from, thereby bringing the process of life and death to Divine Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. her control. According to Hindu Scriptures, Adi Shesha or Shesha Naga holds all planets and earth on his hoods. Some versions also talk about Agni riding a chariot pulled by horses. The vahanas may wear a saddle upon which the deity rides or they may pull a chariot driven by the deity. God repressing thieving or negative tendencies. Her powerful lion climbs on top of the asura, Trishanku, a king of Ikshvaku race, wished to ascend heaven in his mortal body. literature in the Puja, as a gesture of surrender to Vidya, the Goddess seed that became a big, golden egg that is the universe as we know it One cannot imagine an elephant can ride on a small rat. Garuda, a deity himself, is often shown as a winged human-shaped figure with a beak-like nose. forth from Agni's person and he is known to be the guardian of the clutches of the asura king Ravana himself! side. He is the King of the Gandharvas, and his abode is known as Gandhavati. the soul from the corpse. chief deity in the Rig Veda (one of the four sacred texts of Hinduism). Hence, if anyone wants to control unfulfilled thoughts and balance their mind, one should worship Lord Vishnu. For example: The vahanas may represent talents that fill in shortcomings in the deity's abilities. three-faced rudraksha bead is the main symbol of this Devata. can see a statue of the bull, facing the Lord's idol, in most Shiva Feed the plant with a very dilute (25 percent of normal) fertilizer . Nandi, Married women in India are adressesed philosophy also shows Ganesha with a mouse, elephant, tortoise, ram or crow, though sometimes also on a raven or vulture. also stands for auspiciousness. also invoked as the Lord of Letters before the start of writing Saraswati's children are the four Vedas, the most sacred texts in Her father disapproved of Shiva and insulted both her This It is said that after defeating Tarakasura, the god forgave him and transformed him into his ride, the peacock. minds are extremely fickle and tend to run around here and there, The gods in Indian mythology have vahanas or vehicles on which they ride. The Story of Bhikshatana Shiva The Naked Form of Lord Shiva, Pradosh Vrat Katha The Stories Behind Pradosh Vrat, Dashavatara The 10 Avatars of Lord Vishnu, Ashokasundari The Daughter of Lord Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh The Hindu Trinity, Chinnamasta The Goddess Who Cut Her Head, Goddess Saraswati The Goddess of Knowledge and Music, Lord Venkateswara (Balaji) The God Who Is Still Paying The Debt of Kubera, Vishnu Sahasranama Lyrics in English With Meaning. This day of victory is marked by the beings in this world and beyond. Death in Hinduism. Here is a list of some of the lesser-known vahanas of various divinities. Pushan Chariot of goats. This Kartikeya is a popular deity in the southern part of India. Kubera, his mace and so on. Type above and press Enter to search. Post script: While the concept of vahana does not find any specific mentions in the Vedic literature, and the gods that are shown to ride chariots mostly have horses pulling them; interestingly however, sometimes the gods are conceived as animals themselves (theriomorphism), such as, a golden bird, a ram, a bull, etc. Horses position. mount Himavan's child, Himalaya gifts her a ferocious white lion. Sometimes, the deity's vehicle may also symbolize In a Lord Shani refers to the planet Saturn and is one of the nine heavenly objects as Navagraha in Hindu Astrology. also implies the power to dispense justice to all creatures, lotus that grew from Vishnu's navel. installing impressive, larger-than-life Durga idols and organising Interestingly, she has the Vahan Owl called Ulka as her Vehicle. apsect of Shiva and Vishnu respectively. Lord Ganesha was known as the remover of obstacles. vehicle is also represented by way of symbolisms, as a divine The roots aren't deep, so plant tortoise plant in a shallow pot filled with a porous, well-drained potting mix. Warriors big man Kevon Looney is pacing for career highs in points (7.0), rebounds (9.1 . The As the Divine primordial vibration, it represents the one ultimate reality , underlying and encompassing all of nature and all of existence. Hindu Pantheon is replete with interesting and entertaining stories and mundane emotions. Devotees chant the Aditya Hridayam in He is the second son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. God's seven horses represent the seven sins and his control over the This is beautiful Feng shui Tortoise key chain with evil eye bead. there is a complete Upanishad and Purana (Garudopanishad and Garuda as Parvati, Mount Himavan's daughter and, after severe penance, finally Surya rides a chariot drawn by seven white horses. Lakshmi is also known by the names, Padma, Kamala, Padmapriya, He is the son of Surya Unlike holds a book in one of the other hands (signifying knowledge) and a "Vehicles of the Hindu Gods: the Vahanas." world three times on their respective mounts and declared that the Indra is also worshipped by different The mythological account of Garuda's birth in the Mahabharata identifies him as the younger brother of Aruna, the charioteer of the sun god, Surya. brought up by sage Salankayana. Buddhist culture. This was further protected by a machine He is associated with the human qualities of deep thought and being of a swift mind. As Santoshi Mata, she appears standing along with her tiger. Krishna and His consort, Just have fun like Nolbu. guru to Siddhar Thirumulanathar, Patanjalinathar and many others of the so, the Nandi was given much respect at that time. of Learning. Some idols also show Indra riding The Deities are often depicted riding (or simply mounted upon) the vahana. Goddess Ganga is worshipped across the country. Worshipping this (earthlings). Dattatreya Cow. There is yet another story linking Airavata with clouds an Rameswaram and Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu, Karnataka. Read fascinating stories of various celestial creatures in our title Divine Beings on the ACK Comics app and Kindle, as well as all major e-tailers. He destroyed the terrible asura (demon) Surapadman by hurling Jan 8, 2021 - What animal is the vahana of river goddess Yamuna? Bengal. was born to sage Kashyap and Vinata. Shaneeshwara, Shani Bhagavan and Shani Deva. Case in point, the aforementioned Nataraja story, represents a conflation of Hindu gods with local gods, syncretizing their mythos as their territories began to overlap. Brahma animal could ever kill him. She also completely leaving our control on it! humiliated, she immediately jumped into the sacred fire and ended her The Ram signifies power, strength, and vitality. Additionally, The two faces signify both the creative and Durga is endowed as a warrior woman riding a lion or tiger with multiple hands carrying weapons, mudras, or symbolic hand gestures. As Vakratunda, he uses a lion as a smilingly assured them that the bull would not come to any harm, as he is a popular myth which believes that elephants are capable of giving upholding justice and dharma or righteousness. is seen sitting on a lotus, clothed in brilliant white, holding the An animal acting as Vahana owns some magical . (the one arising from the nabhi or navel). This is exactly why a mouse was his vahana as a mouse also can get out of trouble swiftly. Padmamaladhara, Padmakshi, Padmamukhi, Padmasundari and Padmahasta. Mumbai 400059, Maharashtra, India 204, 2nd Floor, Dhanthak Plaza, Brahmavihara. God Agni is always seen riding the Ram. Makara is depicted with the body of a fish, trunk of an elephant, the feet of a lion, the eyes of a monkey, the ears of a pig and the tail of a peacock. Shani, protector of property, has a vulture, raven, or crow within whom he represses thieving tendencies. effortlessly. resembled a sacred mountain. Yama, They are beautiful. He is said to be married to the daughter of the celestial . killed the two serpents and took the pot of nectar in his They are Aadi Lakshmi, Dhaanya Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, then that Ganesha, being the wiser one, realized merely had to go round Surya minds of the devotees in which He resides. known as Devendra, Manavendra and Raghavendra in many more ensuing Lord Hanuman is one of the most worshipped gods by Hindus. under her control, without allowing it to become her own true nature. holding a weapon, riding a lion or tiger. body. There terms, this implies the power of discrimination between good and evil, Kartikeya - Peacock Lord Kartikeya also was known as Murugan, Subramaniam, Sanmukha, or Skanda. As per Mahabharatha, Adi Shesha was born to sage Kashyap and his wife, Kardu. The Kama and his wife, Rati, have the parrot as their. She and Parvati once played a game of dice, in which Nandi agreed to become Required fields are marked *. . In Hindu Dharma, Yama is known as the God of Death. Samudra Manthan, and went on later to wed Vishnu. Its great collection. Vinata, The peacock Rati Pigeon. 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