Hindu Mythology is based myths, stories and legends found in many Hindu narratives.
A single myth can have a number of different versions. While some may have some historical meaning, others are symbolic or have a deeper meaning and can be interpreted in various ways.
First of all, Hindu mythology is believed to have come from the ancient Vedic religion originally. The Vedic myths and Hindu beliefs are indelibly linked.
The Vedas are:
Many of the myths are found in the Sanskrit epics as well as the Puranas.
These myths and legends tell the stories of the various Hindu gods. the origin of the world, the adventures of various heroes, heroines, gods and goddesses as well as some mythological beasts.
In Hinduism there are 14 worlds:
The 7 higher worlds are:
While the seven underworlds are known as:
When you die, you are judged by Lord Yama or yamaduts. Then you go to one of the worlds in an appropriate body. The soul returns to earth and is reborn once it’s time. It is done in that specific world to repeat the cycle until you have reached a state of supreme salvation and can enter in to swarga (uppermost heaven).
Besides the gods Vishnu, Durga (Devi) and Shiva, there were many other gods also worshiped. Brahma was fairly important in the late Vedic periods.
Thirty three other gods (the Tridasha) made up of 12 Adityas, 11 Rudras, 8 Vasus and 2 Ashvins are mentioned in the Rigveda. Some of these devatas were associated with specific functions or elements such as rain, water, death, precious metals, sun, fire, wind and the moon.
Lakshmi is the goddess of blessings and luck and the wife of Vishnu. While Sarasvati is the goddess of music, art and writing and the wife of Brahma.
Ganesh, the elephant god (depicted as a man with the head of an elephant) comes in as the son of the god Shiva and his wife Parvati and he appears in numerous Hindu myths as well as various other religions.
There are main gods and secondary gods that come up in Hindu mythology. But besides these, there are many spirits and demigods that also have their place in the traditional stories.
Some of the ones that come up regularly are:
In the myths there are twelve battles between the Asuras and the gods for control of the three worlds:
The gods wielded all sorts of weapons such as daggers, swords, spears, bows, clubs and maces. As well as more divine weapons such as thunderbolts, a discus, a trident and magical astras that rain down snakes, set enemies alight, invoke floods and put out flames. Other specialized weaponry includes divine armor, helmets, crowns, jewelry and staffs.
A common myth in many religions is the tale of the great flood (deluge) and of a person who is warned that the flood is coming.
In the Hindu myth this is Manu who is protected by Vishnu manifesting as his fish avatar, along with the animals and plants and saves him from drowning in the flood. All humans are said to be descendants of Manu (Manavas).
In Sanskrit Krishna means ‘blue skinned’. He is depicted in most artwork as having a blue tinged skin. The rivers Ganges, Saraswati and Yamuna are all personified in the Hindu myths as goddesses.
In this section are descriptions of Hindu Mythologies and mythological beings described in the encyclopedia.
Hinduism is associated with a lot of symbols. Some are of the opinion that there is no other religion as symbolic as Hinduism. Many of the hindu symbols in this religion are representing the many gods, goddesses, teachings are philosophies of Hinduism. Others represent peace, protection, love and other meanings. However, the symbols in Hinduism … Read more
Hindu Gods and goddesses Hindu is practiced in Asia, especially in countries like India. The Hindus agree that there is only one God. They believe in Brahman, the formless, absolute, Supreme and Universal Soul. They believe that Braham is the Truth and Reality. Furthermore, they believe he has no limit or form. He is beloved … Read more
Naksatra(s) Naksatra(s) is the generic name for a group of astral goddesses. Originally they were Hindu Stars or constellations which later became personified as deities, accounted as the twenty-seven daughters of Durga and consorts of Chandra or Soma. They can evert benign or evil influence. A.G.H. Source: Jordan, Michael, Encyclopedia of Gods, New York, Facts … Read more
In the Vedic period priests in ceremonies like those practiced in Iran, where it was known as haoma, consumed this divine substance. Soma produced a state that raised man to the union with the divine, a state, as described in texts, that was, in contemporary terms, psychotropic. The priests, the only ones privileged to partake … Read more
Devi, in Hinduism, designates the World Mother, or the Great Goddess, the Shining One, who is manifested and known by other names such as Durga, Kali, as well as many more. All of these figures or representations very likely come from pre-Aryan cults and are now variations of shakti, the female principle. (see Devi, Eastern Mythology) A.G.H. Source: 83, 117.
Brahma, in Hinduism, is the Creator in the Trimurti, the largely artificial trinity with the other two partners, Vishnu, the Preserver, and Shiva, the Destroyer. The worship of Brahma in the Trimurti is the oldest; he appears in the Vedas as Prajapati, Pitamaha, and Hiranya-garbha; he is seen in the Brahmanas, but afterward his importance … Read more
