Chhaya or Chaya is the goddess of shadow, and a consort of Lord Surya, the Hindu sun god. She is the shadow-image or reflection of Saranyu (Sanjana), the first wife of Surya. Chhaya is usually described as the mother of Shani, the planet Saturn, and the god of karma and justice: a feared graha; goddess […]
Sanjna also known as Saranyu is the chief consort of Surya, the Sun god. Saranyu has been described as “the swift-speeding storm cloud”. In the later text named Harivamsa (5th century C.E.), Saranyu is known as Sanjna or Samjna (pronounced. Sangya), which means ‘image’, ‘sign’ or ‘name’. In the Puranas, Samjna is known by many
Aruna is the charioteer of Surya (the sun god) in Hinduism. He is the elder brother of Garuda. Aruna and Garuda are the sons of Vedic sage Kashyapa and his wife Vinata, daughter of Prajapati Daksha. His children were the mighty vultures Sampati and Jatayu. He is also found in Buddhism and Jainism literature and
Aditi is the goddess of the sky, consciousness, the past, the future, and fertility. Aditi means boundless or without limit. Aditi is the mother of the celestial deities known as the Adityas and is referred to as the mother of many deities like Rudras and Vasus. As the celestial mother of numerous beings, the synthesis
Varuni, also known as Varunani and Jaldevi, is the consort of Lord Varuna, often depicted with her husband. She is the goddess of wine, who emerged during the Samudra Manthana (churning of the ocean) and chose Varuna as her consort. She is one of the two chief consorts of Varuna, the other being goddess Gauri. As
Nandi is the bull vahana (mount) of the Lord Shiva. He is also the guardian deity of Kailash, the abode of Shiva. Almost all Shiva temples display stone images of a seated Nandi, generally facing the main shrine. Nandi is also known as Nandikeshvara or Nandideva. The word nandi means happy, joy, and satisfaction. As
Yama, also known as Kala and Dharmaraja, is the Hindu god of death and justice, responsible for the dispensation of law and punishment of sinners Naraka. He is often identified with Dharmadeva, the personification of Dharma, though the two deities have different origins and myths. Yama is described as the twin of Yami, and the
Kubera, also known as Kuber or Kuvera, is a prominent deity in Hindu mythology. He is often depicted as the lord of wealth and the ruler of the mythical realm of Alaka, which is said to be a city of immense beauty and opulence. Kubera is traditionally associated with material prosperity, treasure, and the protection
Lord Varuna, a significant deity in Hindu mythology, is often depicted as the god of the oceans and the cosmic order. His presence in ancient Indian scriptures and traditions reflects a deep reverence for the natural world and the principles that govern it. The name “Varuna” is derived from the Sanskrit root “vṛ,” meaning “to
Lord Varuna: The Celestial Guardian of the Oceans and Cosmic Order Read More »
Agni is the god of fire. Agni is one of the Dikapala and is the guardian deity of the Southeast direction. For the same reason, he is typically placed in the southeast corners of temples. Agni is one of the Panch Mahabhuta (five inert impermanent elements) along with sky (Akasa), water (Apas / Jal), air