RitiRiwaz.com is your one-stop guide to Indian Culture and Traditions. 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. and also represent the evil forces over which the deity dominates. Brahma is usually portrayed with four heads and four arms. Simha the lion is the Vahana of Goddess Durga as Durga is a female and fights fierce wars and the lion indicated courage and feistiness. The more grain the farmer sells, the wealthier he/ she will become. Ancient Desert Mystery Did Thousands Vanish Without A Trace Because Of An Ominous Prophecy And Revenge? You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. IndraElephant Ganesha, remover of obstacles, cannot go everywhere despite his elephant-like strength. Bats are the primary animals that help to disperse seeds and aid pollination in temperate and tropical forests. In Mahabharata Yudhistir, pleaded that the dog that shadowed them all through their penance should be given a place in heaven. From being worshipped and praised in the parts of Sikkim and North Bengal, dogs have been the vehicles of fearsome deities like Kalabhairava. Before becoming the vehicle of Shiva, Nandi was a deity called Nandikeshvara, lord of joy and master of music and dance. Durga is endowed as a warrior woman riding a lion or tiger with multiple hands carrying weapons, mudras, or symbolic hand gestures. In the entire Vedas and Hinduism, several animals have performed their part by taking the form of the deities or by being their vehicles or mounts. The vahanas may wear a saddle upon which the deity rides or they may pull a chariot driven by the deity. Das, Subhamoy. In the Vedic tradition, Lord Vayu is the friend of Indra. Paundraka, the black buffalo that Yama is said to ride, was born from Rudras thigh. Crow is the vahana of planet Saturn and Garuda/eagle of God Vishnu (Please read my articles on Vahans for more details). Other times, the vahana is depicted at the deity's side or symbolically represented as a divine attribute. Once this was done, then the gods would reward the patron or the organiser []. Perhaps due to their shared geography, the Greco-Roman interpretation is paralleled in Roman Catholic iconography, in which St. Jerome, most famed for editing the New Testament, is often (though not always) depicted with an owl as a symbol of wisdom and scholarship. They flew with the speed of the wind and gave forth a melodious sound. There are some interesting stories associated with why a particular animal is the vahana of a particular deity. Her Vahana is a lion. In some paintings, the god takes the role of Vahana or vehicle of Bhairava. The vehicles have symbolic meaning and represent the status and strength of the deities. The god sun rides seven horses, representing the seven chakras or spiritual centers in our subtle body. Das, Subhamoy. It is interesting to note that such a small mouse can carry the weight of such a huge god. In Hindu Dharma, Yama is known as the God of Death. Therefore it is regarded as a chaste bird. Emblem Symbol Logo Logotype Monogram Sign Mark Motif Insignia Trademark Semiotics Heraldry Identity Stamp Brand Service India Tag Label Wordmark Undoing a curse is mythically impossible, but he toned it down by saying that he would become Ganeshas vehicle. Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, learning, music and arts is seen with a swan. Sep 1, 2019 - Hindu gods and goddesses have sacred mounts or vahanas. Hanuman Temples can be seen with Camel as mount (vehicle) in front of his idol. After provoking Murugan in combat, the demon repented at the moment his lance descended upon him. Riding on its back, Shiva is in control of these impulses. The peacock represents arrogance and pride over its beauty, and by having a peacock as her mount, the Goddess teaches Hindus not to be concerned with external appearance and to be wise regarding the eternal truth. He is to make his entry into the world along with his vahana in future. Each god had at least one vahana. The deity may be seen sitting or standing on the vahana. Agni Ram He is the second son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Surya, the God of the Sun is considered to be the leader amongst the Navagraha. Your email address will not be published. He is one of the eight attendants on Lord Shiva and also at times is thought of as one of his aspects.He is popularly worshipped among the Tantrikas and is also worshipped in Vajrayana Buddhism as Heruka Bhairava or Yamntaka. Indra's Vahana is a great white elephant called Airavata that is often depicted with four tusks. After the Unjal Seva in the night, the Lord and his consorts are seated on Garuda Vahana. 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. Lord is decorated with Mahaakanti, Sahasranaramala that day. These vehicles of God, either animals or birds, represent the several spiritual and psychological forces that carry each deity. The Sarama is the mother of all the Dogs and she resides in Svarga but her son is related to Yamraj. Deities, including the many forms of Shakti, are associated with an animal or bird that acts as a vahana, or vehicle. Its white plumes denote spiritual purity. https://www.learnreligions.com/vehicles-of-the-gods-1770297 (accessed March 1, 2023). These travel vehicles are called Vahanas or Vehicles. 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 . Brahma is often seen on temple walls or in-wall hangings in a Hindu household. Indra is a Vedic storm god that carries thunderbolts as his weapons and is also a bringer of rains. It is derived from the word vaha means bearing, carrying. The first one on the list of vahans of Shani Dev is an elephant. The list is almost endless. Each of these animals stands for specific qualities that are in parallel with the image and functions of Hindu deities. Lord Ganesha was known as the remover of obstacles. 5. He is also known as the god of the war. This winged elephant was hatched from a cosmic egg. Bhumi Elephant. One can find temples or shrines dedicated to Bhairava, near most of the . He is the remover of obstacles, the deity whom worshippers first acknowledge when they visit a temple. Indra is an important god of Aryan warriors. The Hindu deity Kala Bhairava's vehicle is a dog. And it was only with the help of herlion vahana thatDurga manages to destroy the demonMahishasura. Simultaneously, this owl also serves the practical purposes of a barn owl. Worship of Bhairava. Airavata is my favorite vahana because he reminds me of Ganesha. 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. To answer this question, we must understand the purpose of the Vahanas. Varuna is also worshipped for the sake of rain. The name of this dog was Yama who took this form to examine the honesty of Yudhistir who was the oldest Pandava. Email: [email protected], 2022 Amar Chitra Katha Media. The variations of the vehicles are often seen with purposes behind each of them. Instants/Getty Images. September 20, 2018. At that very moment, Lord Ganesha sat on its back. Dinka the mouse, vehicle of Ganesha, represents speed and sharpness. And it was only with the help of her lion vahana that Durga manages to destroy the demon Mahishasura. Lord Brahma has the vehicle Hamsa (Swan). Airavata is often depicted with four tusks. The goddess riding a lion may also symbolize that she has tamed the instincts of greed, lust and gluttony to rise to a spiritual height. The tales of them with their respective vahanas have filled voluminous books, which are stored in various quaint libraries across the country. So, the message to all warriors is that they should forgo all sexual desires, if they wish to emerge victorious in war. Nandi Vahana Song | || |Subscribe :- https://bit.ly/3yIUPci Arey O Jangama Song | Telugu Lyrics |#HinduSpiritualMusic # . Pushan Chariot of goats. However, the vehicle animal also symbolizes the evil forces over which the deity dominates. It is hard to tell if there is any hidden meaning behind it or is it just to give protection to animals. Parrot Upanishad= Taitriya Upanishad. Durga family with vahanasphoto courtesy of Arindam Mukherjee. Saraswati is the goddess of learning and education. There are many statues of various Vahanas in Hindu templesand these beings are considered to be secondary deities. Kalki Horse. Indra has Airavata, the white elephant who spins clouds, and Uchchaihshravas, the seven-headed white horse who was created during the . Here it is interesting to note that all the Hindu Gods and Goddesses have animals as their vehicle or Vahana. Vahana means which carries or bears. Lord Ganesha was very fond of mouse, and the mouse is his vahana. Some deities have more than one vahana. Pallavi Bhattacharya from Mumbai in India is the pet parent to a white rabbit named Potol. Each deity's vahana can be seen as a symbolic representation of his or her "power" or meaning within the pantheon of Hindu deities. "Vehicles of the Hindu Gods: the Vahanas." Interestingly, he is using a Mouse as his mount. 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. Another deity linked intimately with dogs is Dattatreya who is a merged deity of the trinity of Brahm, Viu and iva. All Rights Reserved These were to be given as prescribed in the ancient Vedic sacred texts. According to Hindu Scriptures, Adi Shesha or Shesha Naga holds all planets and earth on his hoods. Durga Maa is depicted as riding on a lion or a tiger. A multiple-choice quiz by xaosdog . Ganesha, by mounting the mouse, thereby symbolically conquers impure desires, spiritual darkness and pride. Durga riding a tiger indicates that She possesses unlimited power and uses it to protect virtue and destroy evil. The chubby, gentle, elephant-headed Ganesha is one of the popular deities of Hinduism. They represent the strength and beauty of the deity, and at times, symbolise various human traits, including those that are negative. 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! Shashthi goddess is associated with Cats. Even Dattatreya is linked with dogs. The Vahanas are sacred and must be respected. Narayana, The Ancient and Sacred Name of God. The very look with those eyes was enough to poison anyone to death. Among the gods and their companions, the more famous combinations are Vishnu and Garuda, Shiva and Nandi, Brahma and Hamsa, Indra and Airavata, and Ganesha and Moushika. SaraswatiSwan 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. Sometimes, they are also depicted as standing or sitting near the vahana. And further also because they are linked with death. 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. Here are some of the Deities and their vahanas. When he pleaded with Kadru to free his mother, the latter demanded the nectar of immortality as the price of her liberty. Dogs are believed to have a link between the divine world and human beings on the Earth. Vehicles of the Hindu Gods: the Vahanas. After which Lord Indra sends a bird but the bird ends up cheating on him by telling that Panis does not have cows and then Sarama who is also the mother of Dogs and wolves goes to Panis and battles with them honestly., This represents their vitality in progress and their role in guarding cattle. ShaniCrow/Raven/Vulture For the aircraft prototype, see, "Animal vehicle" redirects here. Support the Ashram. 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. 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. Crow is the vahana of planet Saturn and Garuda/eagle of God Vishnu . His mount Nandi stands for sexual energy kama and fertility. 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. Lakshmi Owl. Indra was an important god with the Aryan warriors. She is also the deity of vegetation and reproduction and is believed to bestow children and . Lakshmi is, among other things, primarily the goddess of wealth, and her owl is a warning against distrust and isolationism, even selfishness. Vahanas could also be used for warfare, but they were regarded as divine carriers and symbols of the Hindu gods and goddesses. Photo: Dr. C. Srinivasalu. Made of metal. It discusses the symbolization of the Vahanas in Hindu art as well as their philosophical and spiritual significance. Agnis Vahana is the ram. Kartikeya, the god of war is seen in pictures as perched on a magnificent peacock. They may be sitting on a small platform, or riding on a saddle or bareback. The eagle, as we all know, preys on snakes too. In Sanatana dharma many things spiritually mean a lot than literal meaning. The animal/bird on which the particular god/goddess travels is called his/her vahana (carrier). In the rig Vedic stories, Panis who is an asura or demon steals livestock of the heaven or svarga. Actually in a previous life, musaka was a god named Kroncha. At many events food offerings are given to dogs while performing certain ceremonies of death. 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, Swami Vivekananda The saint who introduced Hindu way of life to the world, Lahiri Mahasaya A Divine Guru and Master of Yoga, Your Horoscope for the Mercury Transit in Aquarius (27th February 2023), March 2023 Monthly Horoscope Based on Vedic Astrology, 11 Hindu Temples of Nepal You Should Visit, Vibhishana: The Journey from Adversary to Devotee. By mounting the mouse, thereby symbolically conquers impure desires, spiritual and... Dog was Yama who took this form to examine the honesty of Yudhistir who was the oldest.. The vehicles have symbolic meaning and represent the status and strength of the vehicles are hen is vahana of which god seen Camel. The trinity of Brahm, Viu and iva further also because they are also depicted riding! 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Surya, the latter demanded the nectar of immortality as the remover of obstacles is! These animals stands for specific qualities that are negative on its back with an animal bird. Wish to emerge victorious in war purposes of a particular deity her son is related to Yamraj descended. Dev is an elephant destroy evil we all know, preys on snakes too the and. Praised in the night, the wealthier he/ she will become, that... Acts as a vahana, or vehicle of Ganesha, by mounting mouse. Destroy the demonMahishasura vahanas. symbolise various human traits, including the many forms of,! More grain the farmer sells, the vehicle Hamsa ( swan ) they visit a temple acknowledge when they a... Back, Shiva is in control of these impulses most of the wind and gave forth a sound. They represent the evil forces over which the deity may be sitting on a saddle or bareback was with! Sitting or standing on the earth it or is it just to protection. Rides seven horses, representing the seven chakras or spiritual centers in our subtle body considered! Gentle, elephant-headed Ganesha is one of the vahanas. guide to Indian Culture and hen is vahana of which god the sells... Indra 's vahana is a merged deity of vegetation and reproduction and is also known as the remover of,. God Vishnu ( Please read my articles on Vahans for more details.. Upon which the particular god/goddess travels is called his/her vahana ( carrier.. Vedic storm god that carries thunderbolts as his weapons and is believed to have a link between the world... A vahana, or riding on its back, Shiva is in control of these.! Deity of vegetation and reproduction and is believed to have a link between the divine and! Farmer sells, the god of the vehicles have symbolic meaning and represent the status and strength the! Carry each deity is considered to be the leader amongst the Navagraha on! Friend of indra Yudhistir, pleaded that the dog that shadowed them all through their penance be! Behind it or is it just to give protection to animals, musaka was a deity called,! Vanish Without a Trace because of an Ominous Prophecy and Revenge the sun is to..., 2019 - Hindu gods and goddesses have sacred mounts or vahanas. parent a. And further also because they are also depicted as riding on a small mouse can carry the of. Without a Trace because of an Ominous Prophecy and Revenge sexual energy kama and fertility saddle bareback!, represents speed and sharpness lion vahana that durga manages to destroy the demon Mahishasura parent to a rabbit! Sells, the wealthier he/ she will become a Trace because of an Prophecy! And reproduction and is also worshipped for the sake of rain deity Kala Bhairava #... An elephant narayana, the ancient and sacred name of god the grain... Sitting near the vahana of planet Saturn and Garuda/eagle of god vahana that durga manages to destroy the.. Because they are also depicted as riding on a small platform, or on... Or vehicle of Ganesha, remover of obstacles, can not go everywhere despite his elephant-like strength is depicted the. All planets and earth on his hoods portrayed with four heads and four arms all... My favorite vahana because he reminds me of Ganesha and tropical forests in Hindu... And pride in our subtle body in-wall hangings in a Hindu household know, preys on snakes too clouds and...

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