Isvara

Epithet of the god SˇIVA. Hindu (Puranic). In Sanskrit designated the “supreme god who rules the universe.” The generic title of a Hindu’s personal high god. In Buddhism the name of a YAKSA attending the eleventh tirthankara.

Isa

Isa (1)

1. An aspect of SˇIVA. Hindu (Puranic). Also a dikpala or guardian of the northeastern quarter; and an EKADASARUDRA (one of the eleven rudras).

Hariti (green or stealing)

1. Mother goddess. Hindu (Epic and Puranic). One of the group of MATARAS (mothers) who are the patrons of children. Considered by some to be identical with the goddess Vriddhi. Her consort is Pancika, alternatively KUBERA. In her destructive aspect she steals and eats children. Particularly known from the north and northwest of India.

Hanuman (with large jaws)

Monkey god. Hindu (Epic and Puranic). Hanuman attends RAMA, one of the incarnations of VISˇNU, and personifies the ideal and faithful servant.

Gauri (whitish brilliant)

1. Goddess. Hindu (Vedic and Puranic). Consort of the god VARUNA, said to have been created at the churning of the ocean of milk. An epithet of PARVATI as a goddess of the corn. Also a SAKTI of Mahesvara, a minor aspect of SˇIVA. Her attendant animal is a lion or a wolf. Attributes: fish, forest garland, image of GANESA, lotus, mirror, rosary, trident and water jar. Three-eyed. Also Varuni.

Hari (yellowish brown)

Minor incarnation of the god VISˇNU. Hindu (Epic and Puranic). Popularized by modern religious movements, Hari is one of the sons of the god DHARMA who sprang from the heart of BRAHMA. He is most closely linked with KRSNA, but he and Krsna also parallel Dharma’s other sons, NARA and NARAYANA. Hari can be a more generic epithet applied to several Hindu gods.

Deva (the god)

Generic name of a god. Hindu (Vedic and Puranic). Originally, in the Rg Veda, thirty or thirty-three devas are indicated, divided into three groups of eleven. In later Hinduism, the term deva is generally applied to deities not included in the chief triad of BRAHMA, VISˇNU and Sˇ IVA.

 

Budha (awakening)

1. Astral god. Hindu (Vedic, Epic and Puranic). The personification of the planet Mercury. The son of SOMA (CANDRA) and TARA or ROHINI. Depicted in a chariot drawn by eight horses or lions (sometimes a single lion). Color: yellow. Attributes: bow, club, rosary, shield and sword. Also Candraja and Candrasuta.

Annamurti

Form of the god VISˇNU. Hindu (Puranic). The patron deity of kitchens and food. A shrine at Srirangam in southern India contains two-armed bronze images of the god. Attributes: a ball of rice in one hand, and in the other a container of payasa (sweetened milk and rice).

Ghantakarna (ears like bells)

God of healing. Hindu (Epic and Puranic). An attendant of SˇIVA, worshiped as a guardian against diseases of the skin. Attributes: bell with noose, and hammer.