Contrary to popular belief, Hindu
deities are not individual gods that indicate a polytheistic faith. These
deities and images are rather different embodiments of the various aspects of
the one god and source known as Brahman. The physical representations of
Brahman's attributes in the form of images and deities are vehicles for
devotees to focus their attention, meditation, and devotion on a particular
aspect or attribute of Brahman's character in a form that can easily be
visualized and in turn, held in the mind.
These deities can be seen as
reflecting various aspects and characteristics of Brahman and his embodiments
with the use of different features such as the way the image is dressed, its
posture, its physical characteristics, and the symbolic objects that are also
present in the image. It should also be noted that here are many ways that each
deity can be presented. In some cases, for instance, different symbols may show
that a particular deity belongs to a specific family, such as some deities that
are associated with Vishnu or those that belong to common Hindu heritage.
Online, you will also see Indian
god and goddess statues in a wide range of unique media, including wood,
metal, stone, and even plastic. Images found in temples are usually much more
majestic than the typical statues you would find in Hindu homes, but you will
find a wide variety of high-grade statues that you can install in your home as
a focal point for your personal worship.
Each god or goddess is also
associated with a specific vehicle, such as a bird or some type of animal on
which the deity travels. These vehicles are used in traditional Indian
religious art to depict and extend the qualities or powers of the deity and to
represent their close relationship with all things.
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