Download PDF: PCT-312 The sun is one of the five deities worshipped by the Smarta tradition. These five are Vishnu, Shiva, Devi, Ganesh and Surya. Worship of the sun goes back to ancient times. The ancestors of Rama came in the Surya vamsha (dynasty of the sun) and the Sun was their worshipable deity (note: […]
Download PDF: PCT-311 Skanda is the second son of Shiva and Uma (Parvati). He is also known as Kartikeya, Murugan, Subramania, Guha and Shanmukha (one who has six faces). Skanda is sometimes added to the list of five important deities worshipped by the Smarta community, making him a sixth focus of worship. He is depicted […]
Download PDF: PCT-310 Ganesh is the most universally worshipped of the Hindu pantheon. However, he is rarely the exclusive or ultimate object of devotion, though this is relatively common in South India. More often he is supplicated before the worship other deities. He is frequently placed as the keeper of the threshold, standing near the […]
Download PDF: PCT-309 Sarasvati is the Goddess of Learning and the Arts, and is closely connected with all aspects of Hindu culture. Sarasvati has three main forms: As Vach (speech personified) As the Goddess of learning and the arts As the legendary river (now dried up) She is the daughter of Brahma, but became his […]
Download PDF: PCT-308 Lakshmi is the eternal consort of Lord Vishnu, and is often worshipped with him as Lakshmi-Narayana. She is worshipped in her own right, particularly during the festival of Diwali. Lakshmi is shown standing or sitting on the lotus, and she holds in two hands a lotus and a water pot. With another […]
Download PDF: PCT-307 Hanuman is often worshipped with Rama and Sita, but also alone. He is the patron deity of wrestlers, other sportsmen and soldiers. Hanuman embodies courage and physical strength, and simultaneously humility and devotion to duty. He can assume any form at will and can leap great distances. Hanuman is one of the […]
Download PDF: PCT-306 Rama appeared as the seventh of the ten incarnations of Vishnu, and one of the two most important (the other is Krishna) Rama represents the monarchical aspect of the Supreme. He is renowned for his devotion to dharma (duty) even in the face of great adversity. He is considered the perfect son, […]
Download PDF: PCT-305 Krishna is often considered the eighth incarnation of Vishnu. Many think him to be God himself, and the terms Vishnu and Krishna are often used synonymously. He is perhaps the most popular deity, especially in North India and within the UK. Krishna is depicted with two hands, usually playing his flute. He wears […]
Download PDF: PCT-304 Shakti or Devi (the goddess) is one of the three main focuses of worship. Shakti means energy and in one sense refers to all goddesses, the ‘energies’ of their respective husbands. Specifically, Shakti refers to the consort of Shiva. In other words, the Supreme Lord is represented as Shiva and his power […]
Download PDF: PCT-303 Shiva is one of the Trimurti. He presides over tama-guna (the quality of darkness) and is responsible for the destruction of the material world. He is also considered the supreme male principle (purusha), the husband of mother nature (Shakti) and is therefore also associated with creation. He is often worshipped through the […]
Download PDF: PCT-302 Vishnu is one of the Trimurti. He presides over sattva-guna (the quality of goodness) and is the maintainer/sustainer. He is also one of the three main focuses of worship. Vishnu resides in the spiritual realm (Vaikunthaloka), where he is known as Narayana. In this world, he has three principal forms: (1) The […]
Download PDF: PCT-301 Brahma is one of the trimurti, He presides over raja-guna (the quality of passion) and is in charge of universal creation. He was born atop the lotus emanating from the navel of Vishnu. He is also called Svayambhu, the ‘self-born’, and is the first living being within the universe. Brahma is also […]