In ancient Vedic literature, there are references to the cow, bull, horse, eagle, and many other animals. The Vimanas often described as shining flying cars, or celestial cars were kept in a Vimana Griha, a type of hanger. Shitala is prayed to with the hope that shell ward off chicken pox, measles and sores. Kamadeva is a name of Vishnu in Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana (SB 5.18.15), and also . He is the commander of the army of devas. As the old wives tale goes the peacock is contented with its magnificent plumes but is deeply embarrassed by its unattractive legs. Credit: Public Domain - Right: Crow - Shani (planet Saturn in vedic astrology), Alakshmi, Dhumavati (pictured). 3.other birds used as a mode of transport in mythology : Kartikeya the cock was a subdued demon. Vahanas The Rides of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, 15. She is usually depicted with ten arms that hold the weapons of the various gods. . For the aircraft prototype, see, "Animal vehicle" redirects here. Saraswati is the goddess of learning and education. But Kubera is sometimes depicted riding a Nara or a Man. He is embodied of perfection, a brave leader of God forces, who was born to destroy the demons. Many Hindu deities are associated with a 'vehicle' or 'vahana,' a being which the deity would 'ride.'. The royal couple realized that he was god. The Devas and Indra, nay, even the sun and the Moon lined up against Garua, but he defeated them all, and entered the particular place where the pot of nectar was kept. It is also a reference to a stream or a flow. Vahanas should not be mixed upwith Vimanas that are ancient flying machines described in many ancient texts like Yajurveda, Mahabharata, Samarangana Sutradhara, Rigveda, Ramayana, and even older ones. Its believed that Kalki, an incarnation of Vishnu, will come galloping on a white horse, to usher in Satya Yuga, the age of truth and virtues. He returned victoriously on a female tiger along with her cubs, carrying a pot full of milk. Our products are : Kireedam, Kavacham, Hastham and paatham sets, Temple jewellery, pathakam sets, stone works, sheet works, peedam, pooja items, If you want to place order for your Temple kindly give . 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. He is often shown as a winged human-shaped figure with a beaklike nose. There are also a few beliefs and superstitions linked with dogs in India among the Hindus. The Hindu god of death Yama has four dogs with four eyes protecting his house. The lion may also represent gluttony and the craving for sensory pleasures which gives birth to lust. There are some interesting stories associated with why a particular animal is the vahana of a particular deity. Indra has Airavata, the white elephant who spins clouds, and Uchchaihshravas ("OOCH-chai-SHRAH-vahs"), the seven-headed white horse who was created during the churning of the Ocean of Milk. This animal is not only a means of transport and a way to identify the god or goddess; it also is an extension of his or her powers. For example, Indra the Storm God, carries thunderbolts as his weapons and is also a bringer of rains. The Karni Mata Temple is very popular as the temple of rats in Rajasthan. Even Lord Dattatreya is linked with four dogs, which represent the four Vedas. Das, Subhamoy. Which is the Oldest Religion in the World? These were just a handful of tales of Indian gods and goddesses with their beloved animals. In Hinduism, he is the God of Oceans. He was cursed by a saint Vamadeva, and then decided to be the Ganesha's vehicle. The hamsa, vehicle of Saraswati, represents wisdom, grace, and beauty. He characterizes the damaging aspect of nature and also has the unfavourable innate in human psychology. The ancient Hindu religion symbolism says that dogs have always been linked with various forms of Lord Shiva who is the God of anguish and the eternal ascetic. 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. Some ancient beliefs also say that black dogs are the rebirth of the fearsome god, Bhairava. 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. February 17, 2012. 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. 8. Nandi is Shivas ardent devotee. Hence, a river is known as Vahini, that which carries. Without her, there is only chaos and confusion. Brahma is usually seen carrying the Vedas, a scepter, a string of prayer beads, a water pot a spoon used in making offerings in the fire sacrifice, or a bow. Surya, the God of the Sun is considered to be the leader amongst the Navagraha. Bull, the vehicle of Lord Shiva ,Tiger the vehicle of " Maa Durga ", mouse is also considered as one of the holy animals in India, It is vahana (mount/vehicle) of the Lord Shri Ganesh. Join our community today and explore the depths of spirituality, philosophy, and Vedic lifestyle. Indra is a Vedic storm god that carries thunderbolts as his weapons and is also a bringer of rains. Bana, an asura king who had received a boon from Lord Shiva, was confident that no warrior could defeat him in a battlefield. The first one on the list of vahans of Shani Dev is an elephant. Press Esc to cancel. In the state of Bengal in India, the annual festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, is celebrated in late autumn. At many events food offerings are given to dogs while performing certain ceremonies of death. Shani Crow. These travel vehicles are called Vahanas or Vehicles. The tiger, which is the national animal of India, is the vehicle of god Ayyappa, who happens to be Shivas son, conceived of the enchantress Mohini. The more grain the farmer sells, the wealthier he/ she will become. He is the King of the Gandharvas, and his abode is known as Gandhavati. E.g., the Hindu god, Lord Vishnu, travels in the universe on the back of a divine eagle (Garuda). The powerful God is also believed to protect his devotees from premature death, sadness, tragedy and debt. The deity may be seen sitting or standing on the vahana. 5. These correspondences are not always consistent. 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. The prophecy was fulfilled when the mouse became the vahana of Ganesha. The very look with those eyes was enough to poison anyone to death. The bull being a strong animal symbolizes virility. Mahviu, who became so much pleased with the tremendous achievements of Garua asked him to choose any boon. The variations of the vehicles are often seen with purposes behind each of them. [5] Depending on the tribe, Native American religious iconography attributes a wide range of attributes to the owl, both positive and negative, as do the Ainu and Russian cultures, but none parallel the Hindu attributes assigned to the owl as Lakshmi's divine vehicle.[6]. Also, lets keep in mind that the goddess rides a tame lion. While some sources mention a Goat as the vahana of Kubera. Bull also represents strength. I see that you are here to read about Hindu Gods and their vahanas and that you have already read about the stories of my good friends the mouse and Nandi (who are the vahanas for Ganesh and Shiva, respectively). Credit: T. K. Ellapa - CC BY-SA 3.0. His idol is located in mostly the Shiva temples. Your email address will not be published. He has written several books about Hinduism for children and young adults. Therefore it is regarded as a chaste bird. In the country, a few women who have a powerful Mars in their horoscope are wedded to dogs. Throughout many cultures, the symbolic meaning of owl deals with: intelligence, brilliance . Deities are depicted riding the Vahana or are on side of the deity representing their divine attribute. This is why it is believed feeding crows is a way to please Shani. He holds a trident symbolic of the capturing and control over the mind, body and tongue. Ancient Desert Mystery Did Thousands Vanish Without A Trace Because Of An Ominous Prophecy And Revenge? Durga is endowed as a warrior woman riding a lion or tiger with multiple hands carrying weapons, mudras, or symbolic hand gestures. The owl cleanses the granaries of all pests, thereby protecting the grain. He seems to have been a popular war god who was also the elder brother of Lord Ganesha. Hansa is the Vahana of Goddess Saraswati who is the Goddess of knowledge and swan indicates beauty and purity, the qualities that need to be in knowledge. These are some of the superstitions and beliefs linked with dogs in Hinduism. ShaniCrow/Raven/Vulture Vahana means that which carries, bears or conveys, which is usually a reference to a vehicle or a beast of burden. Agni (Fire) Male Sheep. They may be sitting on a small platform, or riding on a saddle or bareback. Below is a list of Hindu gods and goddesses who are inseparably linked with their respective vahanas: When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Vahana means which carries or bears. Seated on Dinka the rat (Mushika), Ganesha crushes useless thoughts, which multiply like rats in the dark. Rati Pigeon. He is the father of Kasyapa, and her wife is Chhaya Devi. Often, elaborate cultural mythologies exist explaining how each animal became the vahana of a particular deity, and sometimes the stories involve the transformation of lesser gods into the vahana of a major deity. Some feel that the mouse is representative of the egoistic mind, as it can metaphorically gnaw on the virtues of man. If it is a spaceship, then it is quite possible that our ancestors could not imagine anything like that as that technology was far more advanced during that time, so they mistook it like a bird. 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. Riding on its back, Shiva has the power to control all impulses. Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, wealth and prosperity mounts the wise old white owl. Hanumans popularity and stature and his devoted loyalty to Rama, monkeys are rarely harmed in India. The goddess that is Shivas wife in her most gentle form is called Parvati. Significance of Thursday: Know About Brihaspati (Guru) September 7, 2015. Ganga is said to ride Makara, a creature with the body of a crocodile and the trunk of an elephant. Lord Ganesha was known as the remover of obstacles. 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