Hindu Gods and Goddesses

by Swami Sivananda

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 endeavor,

The conception of the names and forms of various Deities in Hindu mythology is grand, sublime, and 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. We have great pleasure in realizing this beautiful book for the benefit of all those who want to understand Hinduism better. May God illumine the hearts of all and bring peace on earth.

Table of Contents:

• Publishers’ Note
• Introduction
• What Is God?
• Varying concepts of God
• Law Governing thee Lord’s Descent
• Kinds of Avataras
• The Divine form of an Avatara
• Philosophy, Mythology and Ritual
• The ancient Mythology of Hinduism
• The Diverse Sects and Creeds of Hinduism
• The Question of Idol-worship
• When Idols Became Alive
• All Deities Are Aspects of the One Lord
  1. Dattatreya
  2. Devi
  3. Ganesha
  4. Hanumani
  5. Krishna
  6. Radha
  7. Rama
  8. Sastha
  9. Shanmukha
  10. Sita
  11. Siva
  12. Sun-God
  13. Vishnu
• Sivanandashram Prayers
• The Universal Prayer
• Invocatory Kirtan
• Song of Arati.

About the Author:

Sri Swami Sivananda , born on the 8th September, 1887, in the illustrious family of Sage Appayya Dikshita and several other renowned saints and savants, Sri swami Sivananda had a natural flair for a life devoted to the study and practice of Vedanta.

He was an inborn eagerness to serve all and an innate feeling of unity with all mankind. He is the author of over 300 volumes and has disciples all over the world, belonging to all nationalities, religions and creeds. To read his works is to drink at the Fountain of Wisdom Supreme. On 14th July, 163 he entered Mahasamadhi.