Hindu Gods and Goddesses

by Sri Swami Sivananda

Table of Contents
Introduction
Devi
Ganesha
Krishna
Shanmukha
Siva

About This Book

GOD is one, but His aspects are many. The different aspects of God constitute the Hindu Pantheon.

The naturally pious Hindu delights in his Deities. He delights in singing the Lord’s glories, in chanting His Mantras, in visiting His temples, in worshipping His Murtis. These devotional practices expand his heart, enlarge his vision, aid him powerfully in his Sadhana, and ultimately lead him to the highest goal of his spiritual endeavour, viz., God-realisation.

The conception of the names and forms of various Deities in Hindu mythology is grand, sublime, unique. Every detail connected with every Hindu god and goddess has its inner meaning, its esoteric significance.

Swami Sivananda writes for the readers. His style is simple. His approach is direct. He writes with intense devotion and Prem.

God

God only is. All Mortal things are shadows. God is the only real, immortal Substance.

God is One-in-all and All-in-one. God is certainly one. He has no second. The Upanishads profess only one God.

There are many gods in the Vedas. In the scriptures of other religions, they are known as angels.

Hindus worship many gods. But they are all different aspects of the one Reality.

God cannot be comprehended, but can be realised.

You need neither art nor science, neither study nor erudition for God-realisation, but faith, purity and devotion.

In the din and noise of the world, in the midst of sensual pleasures, the mind is led astray. But if you have firm faith in God, if you offer prayer, if you do Japa, Kirtan and meditation, you are lifted up. No worldly charms can attract or tempt you. You will rest peacefully in God.