Concept of multiple gods and goddesses

Hinduism is widely regarded as one of the world's oldest religions. It has a complex philosophical framework, with views ranging from monotheism and polytheism to atheism. Hinduism is often referred to as henotheistic because it focuses on a particular deity while acknowledging the presence of others. Temples and shrines are used to worship the gods and goddesses. These temples had distinctive features that had a major influence on Hindu society. The importance and need of Hindu gods and goddesses are portrayed in the arts, architecture, and writings. As a result, this paper examines how the notion of various gods and goddesses is demonstrated through the humanities, architecture, and writings. There are a number of Hindus gods and goddesses. For instance, Brahma is the Hindu god of creation. Statues of Brahma, paintings and other artworks normally represent him as a four-heads god. These four heads symbolize the capability of Brahma of watching over the whole world. Occasionally, Brahma is represented with a beard, usually white which symbolizes his immortality, age, and wisdom. Unlike other Hindu gods, Brahma is usually shown as having four hands while holding no weapons. Brahma is also shown in pictures while riding on a swan called Hasma. This swan is the vehicle of Brahma which symbolizes grace. Brahma usually carries a number of items. For instance, Brahma holds books which symbolizes knowledge. These books are usually Hindus Vedas. Brahma also carries lotus flowers which symbolizes nature the living essence of all things and beings in the universe. Brahma also carries a special jar known as kamandalu which carries holy water. Brahma has also a spoon or ladle which is associated with the pouring of holy oil or ghee. Lastly, Brahma has a special string of prayer beads known as akshamala which he is using to control the time of the universe (Blurton 2).

Another Hindu god is Vishnu which is the good preservation. Vishnu has a role in maintaining, preserving and protecting all the universe. Unlike the other Hindu gods, Vishnu has many incarnations that are a lot of human or animals that embody the god of the earth. For instance, Vishnu represents himself on the earth as Kurm, the turtle. Kurm helps with the churning of the oceans by bearing the entire weight of the mountains. In artwork, Vishnu is usually painted blue to symbolize the divine color of water which filled the infinite expanse of the sky and ocean. Occasionally, Vishnu is pictured riding on an Eagle is known as Garuda. Eagle usually symbolizes courage and the seal to spread knowledge. Sometimes Vishnu is represented with a many-headed serpent which symbolizes where he rests on many-headed serpent drifted on the milky ocean. This many-headed serpent symbolizes the ocean of the universe. In artwork, Vishnu often has four arms he carries a number of items. One of the items which Vishnu carries is a conch. Conch produces a special sound which represents the primeval sound of creation. Vishnu also carries a lotus flower which symbolizes glorious existence and liberation. Vishnu also carries a club or a mace which represent mental and physical strength. Finally, Vishnu carries discus or chakra which symbolizes the mind or cycle of time (Blurton 2).

Another Hindus god who is the most ancient goddess that is still widely worshipped today is called Sarasvati. Sarasvati also was known as Saraswati is the inspiration goddess for all music, drama, poetry, science, and dance. Students usually seek her blessings before taking a test. Similarly, Musician also prays to her performing music. In artwork, Sarasvati is pictured as fair-skinned and dressed in which to symbolize pure illumination. She is usually shown as she rides a peacock or swan using four hands. Sarasvati usually holds a number of items in her hands. For instance, Sarasvati holds prayer beads to symbolize the source of knowledge. Another Hindu god is Shiva who is the god of destruction. The role of Shiva is to destroy the universe in order for things to be re-created. Shiva is always represented with a bull known as Nandi which symbolizes strength and faith. He often pictured with a snake coiled around his neck which symbolizes his mastering fear and self-control. Another goddess is Lakshmi which is the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and luck. In Hindu art, she is always smiling kindly. In her other two, she holds lotuses which symbolize spiritual gift she bestows.

ARCHITECTURES

In most temples, gods are imaged, either in painting or in sculpture. In the past, most artists would have gained their livelihood by working in the service of the temple. Painter was employed to decorate the outer area of the temple compound, often with the cycle of legends of the deity of the temple. Sculptors used their skills in a similar manner, carving elaborately figured columns, walls and roof structures on the outer edges of the temple. They also sculpted the icon of the god in form of stone or cast it in form of bronze. This icon was placed in the interior part of the sanctuary. There were decorations on the columns of the temple for various gods and goddesses. For instance, Vishnu temple has four central columns in the outer Mantapa of the temple that is in an elevated part. The doorway of the Antarala of the temple is decorated with emblems which embodies Vishnu’s traits. The pillar of the external surface is richly decorated and the carvings of the lotus buds can be seen from the ornate pillar capitals. There is also a column outside the entrance of the temple with a pointed octagonal shaft.The architectural structure of the temples comprises of the three main elements. The first element is the entrance tower is adorned with statues. This entrance tower is also known as gypuran. Another main element is prayer hall which is also known as mandapam. The last main element is the domes or vimanam which indicate shrines beneath them (“World and Its people”).

There is also Gopuram which is located at the entrance of the South Indian temple, and it is used as a beacon for devotees from distant places to pray or meditate in preparation for their entrance into the temple. The temple is a decorated with sculptures of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. These three-dimension sculptures and carvings depicting these three gods are embellished in the four sides of the tower. The Mandapam is made of a series of the columns adorned with statues of deities flanked in the entrance of the temple that leads to the main hall which is also known as mandapam. In other words, the main architectural structure of Mandapam is the series of columns with a colorful ceiling. Painting on the ceiling of the wall depicts the traits of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Saraswathi. There is also hand-painted images of various deities on the walls of the temple columns. There is also an altar under the decorated dome which is known as the Vimanam. The Vimanam are four in number and all of them are located in the west elevation part of the temple. These Vimanam are onion-shaped and they also decorated with colorfully painted sculptures. The shrine of the Sri Mariamman is located in the main Vimanam. The other Vimanam is for Goddess Drowpathai Amman, Lord Subramanya and Lord Rama.The main shrine of the principal deity Sri Mariamman is facing directly to the entrance of the temple. The statue of Sinna Amman is located in front of her. The temple also has other three shrines dedicated to the goddess Durgai, goddess Periyachi and goddess Kaliamman. There are other smaller and separated shrines scattered in the temple ground which belongs to the Sri Aravan and Lord Ganesha. The entire temple group is surrounded by statues of sacred cows which are placed on a regular interval on a high boundary wall. These cows symbolize the source of strength, selfless giving and the sustenance of life.





WRITINGS

There are a number of writings which are associated with gods and goddesses. For instance, there is an epic known as Mahabharata which narrates a conflict between Pandaya brothers. There is also another epic called Ramayana which tells a story of missions of Rama to recover his wife who was captured by demon Ravana. There is also another writing known as Puranas which contains hymns, myths, praises, and rituals. Usually, Puranas is dedicated to the adoration of Vishnu, Shiva or the Goddess. In addition, Puranas also contains the topic known as panchalakshana which narrates about the creation of the universe. Gita is another writing art which contains Hindu manual for a spiritual life. Most of the chapters of Gita have inspired Hindus over the centuries. The Vedas, Brahmanas and the Upanishads contain the canons of gods which is unknown to most of Hindus. There is another writing known as Smriti which contains the practical compendium of Hinduism (“Sitihafizah”).

In conclusion, Hinduism has a diverse system of thoughts which encompasses monotheism, atheism, and polytheism. The gods and goddesses were worship in the temples and shrines. These gods and goddesses are represented in various forms based on the artwork. For instance, Sarasvati was represented as fair-skinned and dressed in which to symbolize pure illumination. These temples also had unique architectural features. For example, the doorway of the Antarala of the temple is decorated with emblems which symbolize Vishnu’s traits. There were also a number writings like Smriti which contains the practical compendium of Hinduism.



Work cited

Blurton, Richard. Hindu Art. Havard University Press, 1993

Dehejia, Vidya. "Hinduism and Hindu Art | Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art." The Met's Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. N.p., Feb. 2007. Web. 16 Feb. 2016.

Knapp, Stephen. "Sarasvati, Goddess of Learning." Sarasvati, Goddess of Learning. N.p., n.d.

Web. 16 Feb. 2016.

Sitihafizah. "Religious Symbols and Architecture." Hello World Civ. N.p., 02 Nov. 2015. Web.

16 Feb. 2016.

Wilkins, W.J. "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic: Part I. The Vedic Deities: Chapter VIII.

Soma." Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic: Part I. The Vedic Deities: Chapter VIII.

Soma. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2016.

World and Its people: Eastern and Southern Asia. Marshall Cavendish, 2007.