the Hindu Origins of most Mag Names
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PART ONE of a MULTI-POST
(to deal with the technical difficulties that have been holding me up, since the night I first registered)
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Okay, so before I begin the main topic, it must be acknowledged that there is already an article on the main site which touches on these origins: http://www.pso-world.com/sections.ph...cle&artid=2029
But despite that, it is my hope that this forum post will not only add more details, but provoke curiousity for those who were unaware.
From there I'll next state that even though this subject connects to some important history/mythology with real-world wisdom from various ancient traditions, it should be acknowledged that the game-developers probably didn't have any high-minded aspirations for choosing these terms when designing Phantasy Star Online. It was probably a situation where a glossary was consulted to quickly & efficiently acquire a myriad of exotic-sounding names for the abstract-entities that accompany the Player, in what basically amounts to a secondary-tier game-mechanic of "pet-raising". So there was LIKELY very little rhyme or reason to which Mags were given which names, despite the significance that certain names hold.
Thirdly, I should note that even though I utilized the term "Hindu", the concept of "Hinduism" is a slightly misleading umbrella-term for a vast diversity of faiths & spiritual practices which originated from the Asian sub-continent of India. There are certainly commonalities between many of these ancient traditions, but actual adherents of the Mahabharata/the Bhagavad Gita/the Rig Veda/the Upanishads, etc etc; do not necessarily practice the same way as other fellow spiritual paths from India, such as Jainism, Buddhism, Shaktism, Bhaktism, Sikhism, Brahminism, Vaishnavism, Shaivism, etc etc, which are also directly linked to the origins of the terminology that was utilized for naming Mags in Phantasy Star Online.
Fourthly, even though I already acknowledged that the game developers probably chose these words for the sake of convenience in expediting their design-process, there is still a true treasure trove of ancient insight that still has perennial application & relevance to the modern day. With that in mind, I decided to make this topic in the hope that some people might continue to investigate further, if they feel a karmic connection towards any of the concepts briefly touched upon below. And, even if nobody does research more on their own, this forum post should still be an interesting bit of trivia for people who like Mags.
Finally, the actual heart of this matter now commences, with links & quotes from other sites like Wikipedia:
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Varuna
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varuna
* * *Varuna (/ˈvɜːrʊnə, ˈvɑːrə-/;[2] Sanskrit: वरुण, IAST: Váruṇa, Malay: Baruna) is a Vedic deity associated initially with the sky, later also with the seas as well as Ṛta (justice) and Satya (truth).[3][4] He is found in the oldest layer of Vedic literature of Hinduism, such as hymn 7.86 of the Rigveda.[4] He is also mentioned in the Tamil grammar work Tolkāppiyam, as Kadalon the god of sea and rain.[5] He is said to be the son of Kashyapa (one of the seven ancient sages).[6]
In the Hindu Puranas, Varuna is the god of oceans, his vehicle is a Makara (crocodile) and his weapon is a Pasha (noose, rope loop).[3][7] He is the guardian deity of the western direction.[4] In some texts, he is the father of the Vedic sage Vasishtha.[3]
Varuna is found in Japanese Buddhist mythology as Suiten.[7] He is also found in Jainism.[8][9]
Vrita
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vritra
* * *Vritra (Sanskrit: वृत्र, vṛtrá, lit. "enveloper") is a Vedic serpent, dragon or demon in Hinduism, the personification of drought, evil and chaos and adversary of Indra. Vritra is identified as an asura. Vritra was also known in the Vedas as Ahi (Sanskrit: अहि ahi, lit. "snake"). He appears as a human-like serpent blocking the course of the rivers and is heroically slain by Indra.[1]
Kalki
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalki
Ultimately, I found the choice of having Kalki be a novice Mag to be BOTH the most amusing discrepancy between a name's "spiritual-standing" & its "in-game standing". But maybe there's some subtle synchronicity to it, after-all, as the original Phantasy Star Online said on the back of its case: "You are not the only hero." So.... maybe.... "You are not the only Kalki"....? Intriguing to ponder.Kalki (Sanskrit: कल्कि), also called Kalkin,[1] is the prophesied tenth and final incarnation of Hindu God Vishnu to end the Kali Yuga, one of the four periods in the endless cycle of existence (Krita) in Vaishnavism cosmology. The end of Kali Yuga states this will usher in the new epoch of Satya Yuga in the cycle of existence, until the MahaPralaya (the Great Dissolution of the Universe).[1][2]
Kalki is described in the Puranas as the avatar who rejuvenates existence by ending the darkest and destructive period to remove adharma and ushering in the Satya Yuga, while riding a white horse with a fiery sword.[2] The description and details of Kalki are different among various Puranas. Kalki is also found in Buddhist texts, for example the Kalachakra-Tantra of Tibetan Buddhism.[5][6][7]
The prophecy of the Kalki Avatar is also told in Sikh texts.[8]
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Ashvinau
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashvins
* * *The Ashvins (Sanskrit: अश्विन्, romanized: Aśvin, lit. 'horse possessors'), also known as Ashwini Kumara and Asvinau,[3] are Hindu twin gods associated with medicine, health, dawn and sciences.[4] In the Rigveda, they are described as youthful divine twin horsemen, travelling in a chariot drawn by horses that are never weary, and portrayed as guardian deities that safeguard and rescue people by aiding them in various situations.[2][5]
There are varying accounts, but Ashvins are generally mentioned as the sons of the sun god Surya and his wife Sanjna. The Hindu dawn goddess Ushas is considered to be their common consort. In the epic Mahabharata, the Pandava twins Nakula and Sahadeva were the spiritual children of the Ashvins and their wives Karenumati and Vijaya are considered to be a part of Devi Ushas.
Sumba
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumba_people
* * *The Sumba (or Sumbese) people are an ethnic group inhabiting Sumba Island in Indonesia, which is divided by two regencies, namely West Sumba Regency and East Sumba Regency. They refer to themselves as Tau Humba.[2] The Sumbese have been able to retain much of their culture despite foreign influences that arrived long ago on the Lesser Sunda Islands.
Namuci
https://second.wiki/wiki/namuchi
* * *Namuchi ( Sanskrit Namuchi namuci m.) is the name of a "demon" ( Asura ) in Vedic mythology and adversary of the god Indra . [1]
Mythos
One day Namuchi stole Somatrank from Indra and contaminated it with brandy . Thereupon Indra swore revenge, but due to a contract he was not allowed to attack Namuchi by day or by night, neither with anything solid nor with something liquid, neither with wood nor with stone. But one day, at dusk, the god discovered a column of foam in the sea. Neither solid nor liquid, neither stone nor wood, Indra threw the pillar at Namuchi and beheaded him with it. In this way he regained his soma, which he purified through a sacred ritual. However, since Namuchi's killing looked like a breach of contract, Indra herself had to free herself from this sin through a purification sacrifice. [2]
Marutah
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maruts
* * *The Maruts (/məˈrʊts/;[2] Sanskrit: मरुत), also known as the Marutagana and sometimes identified with Rudras,[3] are Vedic storm deities and sons of Rudra and Prisni. The number of Maruts varies from 27 to sixty (three times sixty in RV 8.96.. They are very violent and aggressive, described as armed with golden weapons i.e. lightning and thunderbolts, as having iron teeth and roaring like lions, as residing in the northwest,[4] as riding in golden chariots drawn by ruddy horses.
In the Vedic mythology, the Maruts act as Indra's companions as a troop of young warriors.[5] According to French comparative mythologist Georges Dumézil, they are cognate to the Einherjar and the Wild hunt.
Rudra
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudra
* * *Rudra (/ˈrʊdrə/; Sanskrit: रुद्र) is a Rigvedic deity associated with wind or storm,[1] Vayu[2][3] and the hunt.[4] One translation of the name is 'the roarer'.[5][6][7] In the Rigveda, Rudra is praised as the 'mightiest of the mighty'.[8] Rudra means "who eradicates problems from their roots". Depending upon the periodic situation, Rudra can mean 'the most severe roarer/howler' (could be a hurricane or tempest) or 'the most frightening one'. This name appears in the Shiva Sahasranama, and R. K. Sharma notes that it is used as a name of Shiva often in later languages. The Shri Rudram hymn from the Yajurveda is dedicated to Rudra and is important in the Saivism sect.[9][10] In Prathama anuvaka of Namakam (Taittiriya Samhita 4.5), Sri Rudram the 'mightiest of the mighty' Rudra, is revered as Sadasiva (means 'mighty shiva') and Mahadeva. Sadashiva, is the Supreme Being Lord Paramashiva in the Mantra marga Siddhanta sect of Shaivism. Also, the name siva is used plenty of times in the same Anuvaka for invoking Rudra.
Surya
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya
* * *Surya (/ˈsuːrjə/;[3]Sanskrit: सूर्य, IAST: Sūrya) is the sun[4]: 399–401 and the solar deity in Hinduism,[4]: 343 particularly in the Saura tradition found in Indian states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha. Surya is one of the major five deities in Hinduism, considered as equivalent deities in Panchayatana puja and means to realize Brahman in the Smarta Tradition.[5]: 113 Synonyms of Surya in ancient Indian literature include Aditya, Arka, Bhanu, Savitr, Pushan, Ravi, Martanda, Mitra, Bhaskara, Prabhakara, Kathiravan, and Vivasvan.[4]: 5, 39, 247, 343, 399–400 [6][7]
The iconography of Surya is often depicted riding a chariot harnessed by horses, often seven in number[1] which represent the seven colours of visible light, and seven days in a week.[4]: 399–401 [8] In medieval Hinduism, Surya was considered to be a manifestation of the Hindu Major Gods Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu.[4]: 343 [9] In some ancient texts and arts, Surya is presented syncretically with Indra, Ganesha or others.[8][4]: 5, 39, 247, 343, 399–400 Surya as a deity is also found in the arts and literature of Buddhism and Jainism.In the Mahabharata and Ramayana, Surya is present as the spritual father of Lord Rama and Karna(the protagonists of the Mahabharata and Ramayana). Extensively used as a glorification for the heroes of the epics by Vyasa and Valmiki. Surya was the supreme deity after Lord Shiva during the time of Mahabharata and Ramayana[10][11]
Surya is depicted with a Chakra, also interpreted as Dharmachakra.[12] Surya is the lord of Simha (Leo), one of the twelve constellations in the zodiac system of Hindu astrology. Surya or Ravi is the basis of Ravivara, or Sunday, in the Hindu calendar.[13] Major festivals and pilgrimages in reverence for Surya include Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Samba Dashami, Ratha Sapthami, Chath puja and Kumbh Mela.[14][15][16]
Having survived as a primary deity in Hinduism arguably better and longer than any other of the original Vedic deities, the worship of Surya declined greatly around the 13th century, perhaps as a result of the Muslim conquest of North India. New Surya temples virtually ceased to be built, and some were later converted to a different dedication. A number of important Surya temples remain, but many are no longer in worship. In certain aspects, Surya has tended to be merged into Vishnu or Shiva, or seen as subsidiary to them.[17]
Tapas
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapas_(Indian_religions)
Fun fact about me #1: This particular Mag was among my favourites, even though it wasn't even a "fully evolved" Mag!Tapas (Sanskrit: तपस्) is a variety of austere spiritual meditation practices in Indian religions. In Jainism, it means asceticism (austerities, body mortification);[1][2] in Buddhism, it denotes spiritual practices including meditation and self-discipline;[3] and in the different traditions within Hinduism it means a spectrum of practices ranging from asceticism, inner cleansing to self-discipline by meditation practices.[4][5][6] The Tapas practice often involves solitude, and is a part of monastic practices that are believed to be a means to moksha (liberation, salvation).[2]
In the Vedas literature of Hinduism, fusion words based on tapas are widely used to expound several spiritual concepts that develop through heat or inner energy, such as meditation, any process to reach special observations and insights, the spiritual ecstasy of a yogin or Tāpasa (a vṛddhi derivative meaning "a practitioner of austerities, an ascetic"), even warmth of sexual intimacy.[7] In certain contexts, the term means penance, pious activity, as well as severe meditation.[8]
You see: back during the days of the official SEGA servers for PSO Ep. 1 & 2 (on the Gamecube), it was originally confusing to me about how to actually know what items you should use in order to get a Mag you wanted in specific.
Initially unaware of sites like PSOW, what ended up happening is that I met a great friend named Sophia Seed.
She would mostly sit around in lobbies, before heading into the actual game to raise Mahs.
After we became friends, the two of us would cooperate together: I would run through areas with her, while she got all the items to either feed or sell to the shop & buy the right fluids/mates/atomizers.
This sped up her process atleast a little,
even though we probably didn't do it that many times.
(Weird to think about how in those years... if I played recurringly with someone even for a few months, they made a significant impact on me. Whereas, for Sophia Seed, she might not have received any lasting impression, compared to whomever she felt were more compelling online-friends. Differing levels of social "value" in cyber-space sure can be strange!)
Regardless,
she raised me a Tapas.
And I will forever appreciate her for that help. And still cherish our friendship, no matter how ephemerally it lasted.
(Funnily enough, on the subject of "lasting only ephemerally", since Tapas wasn't a final stage Mag, I actually wasn't allowed to feed my Tapas, or it would transform to the next stage, which was undesired by me.
And that meant that eventually, the Tapas had to mostly live in the Bank, since the Mag stat-boost became quite critical in Ultimate Mode. Hence getting replaced by two or three other Mags later.)
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Mitra
1.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitra
2.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitra_(Hindu_god)
3.Mitra (Sanskrit Mitrá) is a divinity of Indic culture, whose function changed with time. In the Mitanni inscription, Mitra is invoked as one of the protectors of treaties. In the Rigveda, Mitra appears primarily in the dvandva compound Mitra-Varuna, which has essentially the same attributes as Varuna alone,[1] e.g. as the principal guardian of ṛtá "Truth, Order". In the late Vedic texts and the Brahmanas, Mitra is increasingly associated with the light of dawn and the morning sun (while Varuna becomes associated with the evening, and ultimately the night). In the post-Vedic texts – in which Mitra practically disappears[2] – Mitra evolved into the patron divinity of friendship, and because he is "friend", abhors all violence, even when sacred.[3]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithra
The thing which stands out most about this particular figure is that the "good guys" & "bad guys" of Hinduism and Zoroastrianism seem to parallel one another, but reverse which "side" is deemed to be the one worth rooting for.
And that has profound implications when applied to the very nature of religions and the peoples who practice(d) these traditions.
Two sides to every story, as the saying goes.
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Asparas
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apsara
Fun fact about me #2: the Apsaras Mag was another one of my favourite Mags, especially on the RAmarl character that I never took online.An apsaras or apsara (Sanskrit apsaras [also apsarā], Pali accharā) is a type of female spirit of the clouds and waters in Hindu and Buddhist culture. They figure prominently in the sculpture, dance, literature and painting of many South Asian and Southeast Asian cultures.[1] There are two types of apsaras: laukika (worldly) and daivika (divine). Urvasi, Menaka, Rambha, Tilottama and Ghritachi are the most famous among them.[2]
Apsaras are widely known as Apsara (អប្សរា Âbsâréa) in Khmer, and also called as Accharā in Pāli, or Bidadari (Malay, Maranao), Biraddali (Tausug, Sinama), Hapsari/Apsari or Widadari/Widyadari (Javanese), Helloi (Meitei) and Apsorn (Thai: อัปสร). English translations of the word "Apsara" include "nymph", "fairy", "celestial nymph", and "celestial maiden".
In Indian mythology, apsaras are beautiful, supernatural female beings. They are youthful and elegant, and superb in the art of dancing. They are often wives of the Gandharvas, the court musicians of Indra. They dance to the music made by the Gandharvas, usually in the palaces of the gods, entertain and sometimes seduce gods and men. As ethereal beings who inhabit the skies, and are often depicted taking flight, or at service of a god, they may be compared to angels.
Apsaras are said to be able to change their shape at will and rule over the fortunes of gaming and gambling.[3] Apsaras are sometimes compared to the Muses of ancient Greece, with each of the 26 Apsaras at Indra's court representing a distinct aspect of the performing arts. They are associated with fertility rites. The Bhagavata Purana also states that the apsaras were born from Kashyapa and Muni.
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Vayu
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vayu
This subject is a particularly important one if you delve into breathing-meditation. So look into "pranayama" and "anapanasati":Vayu[a] (Sanskrit pronunciation: [ʋaːjʊ], Sanskrit: वायु, IAST: Vāyu) is a primary Hindu deity, the lord of the winds as well as deity of breath and the spiritual father of Hanuman and Bhima. He is also known as Anila ('air, wind'), Vyāna ('air'), Vāta ('airy element'), Tanuna ('the wind'), Pavana ('the purifier'),[3] and Prāṇa ('the life force').
Indian author Vanamali says, "Vaishnavites or followers of Vishnu, believe that the wind god Vayu underwent three incarnations to help Lord Vishnu. As Hanuman he helped Rama, as Bhima, he assisted Krishna.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pranayama
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anapanasati
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Varaha
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varaha
In addition to Varaha proper, there is also Varahi & Vajravarahi, whom is pivotal in Vajrayana Buddhism.Varaha (Sanskrit: वराह, Varāha, "boar") is the avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, in the form of a boar. Varaha is generally listed as third in the Dashavatara, the ten principal avatars of Vishnu.
Varaha is most commonly associated with the legend of lifting the Earth (personified as the goddess Bhudevi) out of the cosmic ocean. When the demon Hiranyaksha stole the earth and hid her in the primordial waters, Vishnu appeared as Varaha to rescue her. Varaha slew the demon and retrieved the Earth from the ocean, lifting it on his tusks, and restored Bhudevi to her place in the universe.
Varaha may be depicted as completely a boar or in an anthropomorphic form, with a boar's head and the human body. His consort, Bhudevi, the earth, is often depicted as a young woman, lifted by Varaha.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varahi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrav...r%C4%81h%C4%AB
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Ushasu
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ushas
* * *Ushas (Vedic Sanskrit: उषस् / uṣás) is a Vedic goddess of dawn in Hinduism.[1][2] She repeatedly appears in the Rigvedic hymns, states David Kinsley, where she is "consistently identified with dawn, revealing herself with the daily coming of light to the world, driving away oppressive darkness, chasing away evil demons, rousing all life, setting all things in motion, sending everyone off to do their duties".[3] She is the life of all living creatures, the impeller of action and breath, the foe of chaos and confusion, the auspicious arouser of cosmic and moral order called the Ṛta in Hinduism.[3][4]
Ushas is the most exalted goddess in the Rig Veda, but not as important or central as the three male Vedic deities Agni, Soma and Indra.[5] She is on par with other major male Vedic deities.[5] She is portrayed as a beautifully adorned young woman riding in a golden chariot or a hundred chariots, drawn by golden red horses or cows,[1] on her path across the sky, making way for the Vedic sun god Surya, who is referred either as her husband or her son.[1][3][6] Some of the most beautiful hymns in the Vedas are dedicated to her.[1][7][4] Her sister is Ratri, or the night.[1]
Kama
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kama
* * *Kama (Sanskrit: काम; IAST: kāma; Tamil: காமம்) means "desire, wish, longing" in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain literature.[1][4][5][6] Kama often connotes sensual pleasure, sexual desire, and longing both in religious and secular Hindu and Buddhist literature,[5][6] as well as contemporary Indian literature,[2] but the concept more broadly refers to any desire, wish, passion, longing, pleasure of the senses, desire for, longing to and after, the aesthetic enjoyment of life, affection, or love, enjoyment of love is particularly with or without enjoyment of sexual, sensual and erotic desire, and may be without sexual connotations.[5][7]
Kama is one of the four goals of human life and is also contemplated as one of the primary needs to fulfill during the stages of life according to the Hindu tradition.[1][2][8] It is considered an essential and healthy goal of human life when pursued without sacrificing the other three goals: Dharma (virtuous, proper, moral life), Artha (material prosperity, income security, means of life) and Moksha (liberation, release, self-actualization).[1][8][9][10] Together, these four aims of life are called Puruṣārtha.[11]
Kaitabha
&
Madhu
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhu-Kaitabha
* * *Madhu (Sanskrit: मधु, madhu) and Kaitabha (Sanskrit: कैटभ, kaiṭabha) are two daityas in Hindu Scripture and are associated with Hindu religious cosmology. They both originated from the earwax in God Vishnu's ears while he was in the meditative deep sleep state of Yoganidra. From his navel, a lotus sprouted on which Brahma, the creator, sat contemplating the creation of the cosmos.
Bhagavata Purana states that during the creation, the demons Madhu and Kaitabha stole the Vedas from Brahma and deposited them deep inside the waters of the primeval ocean. Vishnu, in his manifestation as Hayagriva, killed them, and retrieved the Vedas. The bodies of Madhu and Kaitabha disintegrated into 2 times 6 — which is twelve pieces (two heads, two torsos, four arms and four legs). These are considered to represent the twelve seismic plates of the Earth.
According to another legend, Madhu and Kaitabha were two demons who had become powerful enough to annihilate Brahma. However, Brahma spotted them and beseeched goddess Mahamaya for help. Vishnu then awoke and the two conspiring demons were killed.[1] This led to Vishnu being called Madhusudanah - the killer of Madhu, and Mahamaya came to be known as Kaitabhi.[citation needed]
According to Devi Bhagavata Purana, Madhu and Kaitabha originated from Lord Vishnu's earwax and performed a long period of tapas devoted to goddess Mahadevi. The goddess granted them the boons of invincibility and voluntary death. The proud demons then started attacking Brahma. Brahma sought Vishnu's help but was unable to awaken Vishnu who was still in deep meditative sleep. Brahma then prayed to Mahadevi and she helped awaken Vishnu. The two demons then fought against Vishnu and were undefeated. Upon advice from Mahadevi, Vishnu employed a trick to destroy the two demons.[2] Vishnu praised the powers of the two demons and said that he was pleased to grant them boons. The boastful demons, proud of their victories against Vishnu, said that they were willing to grant him boons instead. Vishnu cleverly asked Madhu and Kaitabha for their lives and they granted the wishes by killing themselves (voluntary death).[3]
Kumara
1.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Kumaras
2.The Kumaras are four sages (rishis) from the Puranic texts of Hinduism who roam the universe as children,[1][2] generally named Sanaka kumara, Sanatana kumara, Sanandana kumara and Sanat kumara. They are described as the first mind-born creations and sons of the creator-god Brahma. Born from Brahma's mind, the four Kumaras undertook lifelong vows of celibacy (brahmacharya) against the wishes of their father. They are said to wander throughout the materialistic and spiritualistic universe without any desire but with purpose to teach.[1] All four brothers studied Vedas from their childhood, and always travelled together.[3]
The Bhagavata Purana lists the Kumaras among the twelve Mahajanas (great devotees or bhaktas)[4] who although being eternally liberated souls from birth, still became attracted to the devotional service of Vishnu from their already enlightened state.[5] they play a significant role in a number of Hindu spiritual traditions, especially those associated with the worship of Vishnu and his avatar Krishna, sometimes even in traditions related to Lord Shiva.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kartikeya
* * *Kartikeya (Sanskrit: कार्त्तिकेय, romanized: Kārttikeya), also known as Skanda, Kumara,[7] Murugan (Tamil: முருகன்), Shanmugha (IAST: Ṣaṇmukha) and Subrahmanya, is the Hindu god of war.[8][9][10] He is a son of Parvati and Shiva, brother of Ganesha, and a god whose life story has many versions in Hinduism.[11] An important deity in the Indian subcontinent since ancient times, Kartikeya is particularly popular and predominantly worshipped in South India, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia as Murugan.[8][9][11][12]
Kartikeya is an ancient god, traceable to the Vedic period. Archaeological evidence from the 1st-century CE and earlier,[13] where he is found with the Hindu god Agni (fire), suggests that he was a significant deity in early Hinduism.[8] He is found in many medieval temples all over India, such as the Ellora Caves and Elephanta Caves.[14]
The iconography of Kartikeya varies significantly; he is typically represented as an ever-youthful man, riding or near an Indian peafowl, called Paravani,[15] adorned with weapons and sometimes with an emblem of a rooster in the flag he holds. Most icons show him with only one head but some show him with six heads which reflect the legend surrounding his birth.[8][9][11] He grew up quickly, becoming a philosopher-warrior, destroyed the demons Tarakasura, Simhamukha and Surapadma, and taught the pursuit of an ethical life and the theology of Shaiva Siddhanta.[9][10] He has inspired many poet-saints, such as Arunagirinathar.[10][16]
Kartikeya is found as a primary deity in temples wherever communities of the Tamil people live worldwide, particularly in Tamil Nadu state of India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Canada, and Réunion. Three of the six busiest temples in Tamil Nadu are dedicated to him.[10] The Kataragama temple dedicated to him in Sri Lanka attracts Tamils, Sinhalese people and Vedda people.[13] He is also found in other parts of India, sometimes as Skanda, but in a secondary role along with Ganesha, Parvati and Shiva.[9]
Bhirava
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhairava
Also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BhairaviKala Bhairava (Sanskrit: भैरव, lit. frightful) is a Shaivite deity worshiped by Hindus. In Shaivism, he is a fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with annihilation.[1][2][3][4][excessive citations] In Trika system Bhairava represents Supreme Reality, synonymous to Para Brahman.[5][6] Generally in Hinduism, Bhairava is also called Dandapani ("[he who holds the] Danda in [his] hand"), as he holds a rod or Danda to punish sinners, and Swaswa, meaning "whose vehicle is a dog".[7] In Vajrayana Buddhism, he is considered a fierce emanation of boddhisatva Mańjuśrī, and also called Heruka, Vajrabhairava, and Yamantaka.[8][9]
He is worshiped throughout India, Nepal and Sri Lanka as well as in Tibetan Buddhism.[10][11]
* * *Bhairavi (Sanskrit: भैरवी) is a Hindu goddess, described as one of the Mahāvidyas, the ten avatars of the Mother Goddess. She is the consort of Bhairava[2][3]
Ila
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ila_(Hinduism)
* * *Ila (Sanskrit: इल) or Ilā (Sanskrit: इला) is an androgyne deity in Hindu legends, known for their sex changes. As a man, he is known as Ila or Sudyumna and as a woman, is called Ilā. Ilā is considered the chief progenitor of the Lunar dynasty of Indian kings – also known as the Ailas ("descendants of Ilā").
While many versions of the tale exist, Ila is usually described as a daughter or son of Vaivasvata Manu and thus the sibling of Ikshvaku, the founder of the Solar Dynasty. In versions in which Ila is born female, she changes into a male form by divine grace soon after her birth. After mistakenly entering a sacred grove as an adult, Ila is either cursed to change his/her gender every month or cursed to become a woman. As a woman, Ilā married Budha, the god of the planet Mercury and the son of the lunar deity Chandra (Soma), and bore him a son called Pururavas, the father of the Lunar dynasty. After the birth of Pururavas, Ilā has transformed into a man again and fathered three sons.
In the Vedas, Ilā is praised as Idā (Sanskrit: इडा), goddess of speech, and described as the mother of Pururavas.
The tale of Ila's transformations is told in the Puranas as well as the Indian epic poems, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
Garuda
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garuda
* * *Garuda (Sanskrit: गरुड Garuḍa; Pāli: गरुळ Garuḷa; Vedic Sanskrit: गरुळ Garuḷa) is a Hindu god and divine creature mentioned in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faith.[1][3][4] He is variously the mount (vahana) of the Hindu god Vishnu. Garuda is also half brother of Devas, Daityas, Danavas and Yakshas. He is son of sage Kashyap and Vinata. He is younger brother of Aruna, the charioteer of Sun. He is more powerful than his half brothers. Garuda is mentioned in several other texts such as Puranas and Vedas.
Garuda is described as the king of birds and a kite-like figure.[5][6] He is shown either in zoomorphic form (giant bird with partially open wings) or an anthropomorphic form (man with wings and some bird features). Garuda is generally a protector with the power to swiftly go anywhere, ever watchful and an enemy of the serpent.[1][6][7] He is also known as Tarkshya and Vynateya.[8]
Garuda is a part of state insignia in India, Indonesia and Thailand. The Indonesian official coat of arms is centered on the Garuda. The national emblem of Indonesia is called Garuda Pancasila.[9] The Indian Air Force also uses the Garuda in their Guards Brigade coat of arms and named their special operations unit after it as Garud Commando Force. It is often associated with the Greater adjutant stork (Leptoptilos dubius).[10][11]
Sita
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sita
* * *Sita (Sanskrit: सीता; IAST: Sītā), also spelt Seeta is a Hindu goddess and the female protagonist of the Hindu epic, Ramayana. She is the consort of Rama, the avatar of the god Vishnu and is regarded as a form of Vishnu's wife Lakshmi. She is also the chief goddess of Rama-centric Hindu traditions. Sita is known for her dedication, self-sacrifice, courage, and purity.
Described as the daughter of Bhūmi (the earth), Sita is brought up as the adopted daughter of King Janaka of Videha.[1][2] Sita, in her youth, chooses Rama, the prince of Ayodhya as her husband in a swayamvara. After the swayamvara, she accompanies her husband to his kingdom, but later chooses to accompany her husband, along with her brother-in-law Lakshmana, in his exile. While in exile, the trio settles in the Dandaka forest from where she is abducted by Ravana, the Rakshasa king of Lanka. She is imprisoned in the garden of Ashoka Vatika, in Lanka, until she is rescued by Rama, who slays her captor. After the war, in some versions of the epic, Rama asks Sita to undergo Agni Pariksha (an ordeal of fire), by which she proves her purity, before she is accepted by Rama, which for the first time makes his brother Lakshmana get angry at him.
In some versions of the epic, Maya Sita, an illusion created by Agni, takes Sita's place and is abducted by Ravana and suffers his captivity, while the real Sita hides in the fire. Some scriptures also mention her previous birth being Vedavati, a woman Ravana tries to molest.[3] After proving her purity, Rama and Sita return to Ayodhya, where they are crowned as king and queen. One day, a man questions Sita's purity and in order to prove her innocence and maintain his own and the kingdom's dignity, Rama sends Sita into the forest near the sage Valmiki's ashram. Years later, Sita returns to the womb of her mother, the Earth, for release from a cruel world and as a testimony of her purity, after she reunites her two sons Kusha and Lava with their father Rama.[4]
Soma
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandra
* * *Chandra (Sanskrit: चन्द्र, romanized: Candra, lit. 'shining or moon'), also known as Soma (Sanskrit: सोम), is the Hindu god of the Moon, and is associated with the night, plants and vegetation. He is one of the Navagraha (nine planets of Hinduism) and Dikpala (guardians of the directions).[4]
Durga
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga
* * *Durga (Sanskrit: दुर्गा, IAST: Durgā) is a major deity in Hinduism. She is worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Devi and is one of the most popular and widely revered among Indian divinities. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction and wars.[4][5][6] Her legend centres around combating evils and demonic forces that threaten peace, prosperity, and Dharma the power of good over evil.[5][7] Durga is believed to unleash her divine wrath against the wicked for the liberation of the oppressed, and entails destruction to empower creation.[8] Historians of religion and art tend to trace the earliest depiction of Durga to the seals of Indus Valley Civilization. However, this claim lacks direct visual evidence from the site. There are several hints to her in the early Vedic texts and by the time of the epics, she emerges as an independent deity. According to Hindu legends, Durga is created by the gods to defeat the demon Mahishasura, who could be only killed by a female. Durga is seen as a motherly figure and often depicted as a beautiful woman, riding a lion or tiger, with many arms each carrying a weapon and often defeating demons.[2][9][10][11] She is widely worshipped by the followers of the goddess centric sect, Shaktism, and has importance in other denominations like Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Under these traditions, Durga is associated and identified with other deities. There are many devotees of Goddess Durga who recite Saptashloki Durga Saptashati to seek her blessings.[7][12]
The two most important texts of Shaktism, Devi Mahatmya and Devi-Bhagavata Purana, reveres Devi or Shakti (goddess) as the primordial creator of the universe and the Brahman (ultimate truth and reality).[13][14][15] While all major texts of Hinduism mention and revere the goddess, these two texts center around her as the primary divinity.[16][17][18] The Devi Mahatmya is considered to be as important a scripture as the Bhagavad Gita by the Shakta Hindus.[19][20]
Durga has a significant following all over India, Bangladesh and Nepal, particularly in its eastern states such as West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Assam and Bihar. Durga is revered after spring and autumn harvests, specially during the festivals of Durga Puja and Navratri.[21][22]
Nandin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C4%81ndi
* * *Nāndi is a Nizari Isma'ili ceremony during which food offered to the Imām-e Zamān is sold off at auction to people attending the Jamatkhana (the Ismaili place of worship). The money obtained through the sale of Nāndi is sent to the Imām by a group of people from the Ismaili community (Jama'at) given that responsibility. The people in charge of selling the food are volunteers from the Jama'at, they announce what is on the plate and members of the Jama'at put their hands up to buy it. The preparation of the food is done at home and it is brought to the Jamātkhāne, the Mukhi (Ismaili minister) mentions the food during a blessing and tells the congregation that it has been offered to the Imām and the benefits of it are for the whole Jamāt, the food is known as "Mehmāni." If no physical Mehmāni has been brought to the Jamātkhāna then a symbolic plate called the "Mehmāni plate" can be touched during the Du'a Karavi ceremony, this serves as a substitute for physical food.
The offering of Mehmāni and buying and selling of Nāndi are not mandatory on Isma'ilis, only Holy Du'a, Dasond and following the Farmāns of the Imām are mandatory. Nāndi is symbolic and supplementary. It is said that the early Muslims gifted Prophet Muhammad with food however he then distributed it to the poor. In the Ismaili mosques, Ismailis receive the food and donate money which is then used for charity.
Yaksa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaksha
* * *The yakshas (Sanskrit: यक्ष yakṣa; Pali: yakkha) are a broad class of nature-spirits, usually benevolent, but sometimes mischievous or capricious, connected with water, fertility, trees, the forest, treasure and wilderness.[4][5] They appear in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist texts, as well as ancient and medieval era temples of South Asia and Southeast Asia as guardian deities.[5][6] The feminine form of the word is yakṣī[7] or yakshini (Sanskrit: यक्षिणी yakṣiṇī; Pali:Yakkhini).[8]
In Hindu, Jain and Buddhist texts, the yakṣa has a dual personality. On the one hand, a yakṣa may be an inoffensive nature-fairy, associated with woods and mountains; but there is also a darker version of the yakṣa, which is a kind of ghost (bhuta) that haunts the wilderness and waylays and devours travellers, similar to the rakṣasas.
PART ONE ends here
continues in PART TWO
* * *
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