YamaMale Buffalo He is the King of the Gandharvas, and his abode is known as Gandhavati. Anubis is the Greek name for the god of death, mummification, afterlife, tombs, and the underworld in the ancient Egyptian religion. Bhairava Dog. He is usually seen riding the ram or in a chariot pulled by many fiery horses. Saraswati duckphoto courtesy of Arindam Mukherjee. Saraswati rides a swan. Your email address will not be published. Also, if your pet dog sneezes when you are leaving your house it is said to be a good omen. Lord Vayu granted her wish and she gave birth to a boy who was immensely powerful and strong. Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, wealth and prosperity mounts the wise old white owl. The variations of the vehicles are often seen with purposes behind each of them. The white elephants of today are said to be Airavatas descendents. The Brahmanas do not keep dogs as their pets. The vahanas are often depicted, where the respective god/goddess is riding on them or they're just an auspicious symbol of the respective deity. SaraswatiSwan There are some interesting stories associated with why a particular animal is the vahana of a particular deity. Email: customerservice@ack-media.com, 2022 Amar Chitra Katha Media. Some sources say Parrot or Horse. Brahma is often seen on temple walls or in-wall hangings in a Hindu household. Another Hindu god, Lord Murugan/Subrahmanya . Ganesha, by mounting the mouse, thereby symbolically conquers impure desires, spiritual darkness and pride. Since rats are seen as being capable of gnawing their way through most things, the rat symbolizes Ganeshs ability to destroy every obstacle. Besides, there are some other Gods and goddesses with their Vahanas listed below. Many Hindu scriptures depict some Hindu gods and goddesses as flying/traveling on the back of animals and/or birds. Archaeologists have concluded that the animal that was revered as Anubis was an Egyptian canine, the African jackal. In this manner, the vahanas are in the tradition of spirit animal symbols found in mythologies worldwide. 3.other birds used as a mode of transport in mythology : Kartikeya the cock was a subdued demon. A vahana is a vehicle or the carrier of something immaterial and formless.The vehicles of the gods and goddesses in Hinduism are animal mounts that the gods/goddesses ride. . As per Hindu tradition, its a bird which can figuratively sift the pure from the impure, like it sieves milk from water. He is also the most handsome god and associated with virility. He is the God connected with sky, sea, truth, and Rta. He is omnipresent and is the guardian deity of the Western direction. Agni, the fire god, rides a ram. Animal images and symbols are very common in the Rig Veda. Hence, a river is known as Vahini, that which carries. Mushika was originally a gandharva, or celestial musician. And treat animals with humanity and the utmost respect. Her Vahana is a lion. In Hindu dharma, the Surya Deva gives light to the world. Kroncha desperately begged apology. It can be argued, for example, that the elephant god, Ganesha, gains subtlety of insight through the perceptions of his small mouse vahana. Upon the partnership between the deity and his vahana is woven much iconography and Hindu theology. The powerful God is also believed to protect his devotees from premature death, sadness, tragedy and debt. For some Hindu communities dogs are a link to the world of the dead.Next most important instance of dog in Hinduism is associated with Lord Dattatreya - an incarnation of Trimurtis . But the dogs were used by the Kings. They represent the strength and beauty of the deity, and at times, symbolise various human traits, including those that are negative. Surya has given a Rooster which also stood as a symbo. Interestingly, she has the Vahan Owl called Ulka as her Vehicle. Hanuman helped Lord Rama defeat the Asura- King Ravana of Lanka. When he pleaded with Kadru to free his mother, the latter demanded the nectar of immortality as the price of her liberty. The vegetable gets its name from Murugan and Kai. Vayu is the Hindu deity of wind. Ramayana and Parasara Samhita describes multiple instances where Hanuman could fly at wind speed and also cover long distances like flying across the ocean to reach Lanka, flying back and forth to Himalayas from Lanka to . The variations of the vehicles are often seen with purposes behind each of them. Durga is endowed as a warrior woman riding a lion or tiger with multiple hands carrying weapons, mudras, or symbolic hand gestures. Bhairava, a manifestation of Shiva, has chosen a dog as his vehicle. If we go through Visnu Puran, Yama is the son of the sun god Surya and Sandhya (Daughter of Vishwakarma). Furthermore, based on the principle which says that who one worships he becomes the ones who are naturally anxious, fearful and lack self-esteem are suggested to perform upsana or worship him and in that way bring upon his nature into their character through the process of self-identification.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'hindusinfo_com-box-4','ezslot_8',124,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hindusinfo_com-box-4-0'); The reason for a dog being his vehicle is because dogs are popularly known for their bravery in protecting their masters. Her lion or tiger acts as her means of transportation and one of her many weapons. These were to be given as prescribed in the ancient Vedic sacred texts. From one half, Murugan pulled a rooster, which he made his emblem, and from the other, a peacock, which he made his mount. Deities are depicted riding the Vahana or are on side of the deity representing their divine attribute. Interestingly, the ram is a sacrificial animal, which has been linked to the Hindu fire god, to whom sacrifices are offered. One can find temples or shrines dedicated to Bhairava, near most of the . Agni, the Fire God, rides upon a ram, and so on. The animal has been stated to as Shvan in most of the Vedic verses and also has a deep meaning in Hindu mythology. Goddess Shashthi, the protector and benefactor of children, is often symbolized riding a cat. Durga Lion Nandi (also Nandin) is the sacred bull calf, gatekeeper, and vehicle ( vahana) of the Hindu god Shiva. Lord Varuna is a Celestial God in the Vedic texts. Once this was done, then the gods would reward the patron or the organiser []. Lord Kartikeys vehicle is called Paravani. They play a vital role in helping to regenerate and . Hence, if anyone wants to control unfulfilled thoughts and balance their mind, one should worship Lord Vishnu. It can be argued, for example, that the elephant god, Ganesha, gains subtlety of insight through the perceptions of his small mouse vahana. He is respected as one of the mighty Guru of the Brahmanas. To realize her, one must respect the laws of life and appreciate the wonders of existence. She has written for leading Indian publications on animals/ pets like gingertail.in, Dogs and Pups, Cats and Kittens, the Furs, Feathers and Fins magazine and Buddy Life. Kubera Man. Shitala Devi Donkey. Vayu (the wind god) rides on a horse. Kartikeya is a popular deity in the southern part of India. The tales of them with their respective vahanas have filled voluminous books, which are stored in various quaint libraries across the country. The list is almost endless. Athena, though also a goddess of prosperity, is primarily the goddess of wisdom, and her owl symbolizes secret knowledge and scholarship. Saraswati is the goddess of learning and education. He is the central figure of the ancient Hindu epic "Ramayana" and is known as King of Ayodhya, the city believed to be Rama's birthplace.According to the Ramayana, Rama's father was King Dasaratha and his mother was Queen Kausalya. The very look with those eyes was enough to poison anyone to death. It is also a reference to a stream or a flow. Shiva is one of the most complex gods of India, embodying seemingly contradictory qualities. Each vehicle is very different and of divine nature, because it is forever in contact with the gods and . Bhumi Elephant. Airavata besides being Indras vahana is believed to, along with his siblings, hold up the eastern hemisphere of the globe. Kamdev, God of Love, is represented as a handsome young man with a parrot as his Vahana (vehicle), a sugarcane bow with bees forming the bowstring, and flower-tipped arrows. One with red eyes, a club, and a noose in his hands, he rides the Buffalo as his Vahana. Hanuman (He Does Not Have a Vahana). Sun A golden chariot pulled by seven white horses. Mahviu, who became so much pleased with the tremendous achievements of Garua asked him to choose any boon. Bhairava's vahana (vehicle) is Shwaswa, the dog. Being dark in colour, it is also averse of light or truth. The storm god Lord Indra carries thunderbolts as his weapons and is also a bringer of rains to the earth. Agni, the Fire God, rides upon a ram, and so on. The first one on the list of vahans of Shani Dev is an elephant. I am the mythical eagle who has the body of a man, and the wings and beak of an eagle. Musaka or mouse is the vahana of the Lord Ganesha. Undoing a curse is mythically impossible, but he toned it down by saying that he would become Ganeshas vehicle. Image credit: Wikipedia. He is considered the god of bad luck and is also popularly called Ara, Kona, and Kroda. And some mention an Elephant. Durga has the role of a warrior goddess who destroys demons. The negative traits are those that the gods are said to overpower. The vahana, usually depicted with the deity, is sometimes a real animal or bird, sometimes a mythological creature, and ocasionally, a composite made up of different creatures! He was the father of the great Pandava Bheema. According to the ancient Hindu texts, Garuda, the king of birds, is a replica of the Vedas (vedatma vihamgeswara), while Lord Vishnu is the God of the Vedas. The Vahanas are sacred and must be respected. The name, Varuna, means "he who covers." From Hindu mythology, we learn that each deity has an animal vehicle, a Vahana that they use to travel from one world to another. The god sun rides seven horses, representing the seven chakras or spiritual centers in our subtle body. Kama and his wife, Rati, have the parrot as their. She is believed to ride the streets of villages on a donkey with a broom, sweeping paths free of germs. His mount Nandi stands for sexual energy - kama and fertility. vahana, (Sanskrit: "mount" or "vehicle") in Hindu mythology, the creature that serves as the vehicle, or "carrier," and as the sign of a particular deity. He is said to be married to the daughter of the celestial . LakshmiOwl He is the commander of the army of devas. Hindu goddess Lakshmi and Sarawati have owl and swan as their respective vehicles (vahanas). Bats are the primary animals that help to disperse seeds and aid pollination in temperate and tropical forests. He is the destroyer and the restorer, the great ascetic and the symbol of sensuality, the benevolent herdsman of souls, and the wrathful avenger. Pushan Chariot of goats. E.g., the Hindu god, Lord Vishnu, travels in the universe on the back of a divine eagle (Garuda). The Goddess Durga: The Mother of the Hindu Universe, List of Gods and Goddesses From Antiquity, Fasting, Praying, and Regular Hindu Rituals, A Guide to the Fundamental Tenets of Hinduism, Navadurga and the 9 Forms of the Hindu Goddess Durga, The History and Origin of the Durga Puja Festival, Learn the History of the Durga Idols in Kumartuli, Calcutta, M.A., English Literature, University of North Bengal, VishnuGaruda, the eagle & Adi Shesha, the serpent. One of the seals shows Agni / Ravi's symbol (a wheel sign: 'ra') and is prominently shown. Without her, there is only chaos and confusion. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Kama and his wife, Rati, have the parrot as their vahana. As Bhoodevi, the earth-goddess, she nurtures life; as Shreedevi, the goddess of fortune, she bestows power, pleasure, and prosperity on those who deserve her grace. Vamana, fifth of the 10 incarnations of the Hindu god Vishnu.. Brahma- Swan Yet the Brahmanas respect and worship Kalabhairava as he is god and is also the protector of the holy city of Varanasi which is again a symbolism of a gatekeeper.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'hindusinfo_com-leader-1','ezslot_4',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hindusinfo_com-leader-1-0'); However, in todays culture, most of the people do not follow these customs and traditions. The vahana may be considered an accoutrement[1] of the deity: though the vahana may act independently, they are still functionally emblematic or even syntagmatic of their "rider". Seated on Dinka the rat (Mushika), Ganesha crushes useless thoughts, which multiply like rats in the dark. Hindus worship Garuda as a god. Some scholars have also suggested that the vahanas represent the minds of human followers, which are thereby allowed to be guided by the deity's wishes. In Hindu mythology, the rooster is depicted as the vahana (vehicle) . He is the King of hell and Hindus believe it is not Lucifer or satan. Parrot Upanishad= Taitriya Upanishad. An animal acting as Vahana owns some magical . She is the river of consciousness that enlivens creation; she is the dawn-goddess whose rays dispel the darkness of ignorance. Vahanas The Rides of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, 15. This is why it is believed feeding crows is a way to please Shani. Lord is decorated with Mahaakanti, Sahasranaramala that day. Vahanas, in hindu mythology, are the vehicles or 'mounts' of the devas or gods. The ritual of sacrifice was central to the religion of the Vedic times. One day they accidentally interrupted a class conducted by a sage when he was teaching. These vahanas are their constant companions. The name of this dog was Yama who took this form to examine the honesty of Yudhistir who was the oldest Pandava. Lakshmi rides an owl. It is usually depicted as a dog or a man with a dog's head. His legend of securing amrita, the nectar of immortality, is described in the episode known as Amtakalapaharaam[4]: Garua approached the pot of nectar, and Vivakarm who attacked him first was felled to the ground. Bheema's mother Kunti, who had the boon of having children with any god she pleased with, once prayed to Lord Vayu for a son. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/vehicles-of-the-gods-1770297. For Example Lord Shiva's Vehicle is Bull (Nandi), here bull is symbol of Dharma. Drawing of a vertical section of a Vimana described on Ramayana, one of the two great epics of Hinduism. Kala Bhairava: The Lord of Time. Both the Vahanas and Vimanas are capable of traveling in the air, water, but the concept is different. However, the vehicle animal also symbolizes the evil forces over which the deity dominates. In Sanskrit, Vah means to ride along with the land. Credit: Public Domain. The river goddess Yamuna drifts on a tortoise. Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, learning, music and arts is seen with a swan. Mesopotamian gods and goddesses were all associated with vahanas. Some of these manuscripts are still in the ancient Indian language Sanskrit, which are yet to be translated to English and other contemporary Indian languages. This belief in multiple gods is accompanied by a slew of celebrations. Credit: T. K. Ellapa - CC BY-SA 3.0. The Sanskrit word translates literally as "that which carries," or "that which pulls." Dinka the mouse, vehicle of Ganesha, represents speed and sharpness. Paundraka, the black buffalo that Yama is said to ride, was born from Rudras thigh. The animal correspondences of Hindu vehicles are not consistent with Greek and Roman mythology, or other belief systems which may tie a particular animal to a particular deity. Sarama is the female dog, who is considered as the mother of all dogs. The animal/bird on which the particular god/goddess travels is called his/her vahana (carrier). By mounting the crow, Shani is said to suppress pilfering habits in people. Learn Religions. They also symbolize the seven chakras (spiritual vortexes in the human body). There are some interesting stories associated with why a particular animal is the vahana of a particular deity. According to astrology, humans suffering from the adverse effects of the planets, Rahu and Shani may find some relief when they give food to black dogs. RitiRiwaz.com is your one-stop guide to Indian Culture and Traditions. Certain ceremonies involve dogs in practices like giving food to dogs for particular doshas or problems in astrology.. Indra is an important god of Aryan warriors. The gods in Indian mythology have vahanas or vehicles on which they ride. The word Hamsa is a combination of two words, aham+ sa. It means I am he. The bird hamsa is beautiful, peaceful, and graceful. 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