Vahanas – The Rides of Hindu Deities

Hindu Gods and Goddesses travel in a specific animal or bird. Vahanas, or Vehicles, are the names given to these modes of transportation. They serve the same purpose as modern-day vehicles that may travel by air, land, or sea. These divine vehicles are either animals or birds, and they represent the many spiritual and psychological forces that each deity carries. Vahanas are used by the gods in both warfare and travel.

Vah, which means “to ride along with the land” in Sanskrit, also represents the evil powers that the deity rules over. Every single member of its species, whether living or sculpted in sculptural form, bears the implicit presence of the god associated with it when serving as Vahana.

The god and the Vehicle have a relationship that is similar to that of a father and son, or the body and the soul. They may appear to be two distinct entities on the surface, but they are united inside and share the same awareness as one embodied entity (jiva).In Hinduism worshipping the deity or worshipping his Vahana have the same effect.

Deities with their Vahanas

1. Shiva – Nandi (The Bull)

One of Hinduism’s most well-known deities is Lord Shiva. He is the wrathful avenger, the destroyer and restorer, a symbol of sensuality. Nandi, his mount, represents kama, as well as fertility. Shiva wields complete control over all impulses when riding on its back. Only Lord Siva can assist us in controlling and transforming these forces. They’re frequently symptoms of too much tamas in the body. You can get rid of them by invoking and worshipping Shiva. As a result, Shiva may turn a raging bull into the peaceful and enlightened Nandi. Shiva is also thought to be a healer. The Vedas refer to him as a supernatural healer, emphasising his power over death caused by snakebites, natural disasters, and diseases, etc. As a result, persons suffering from chronic diseases or physical afflictions can pray to him for relief or protection against bodily toxins, agony, suffering, and death.

2. Brahma – Swan

Hamsa(Swan) is Lord Brahma’s Chariot. Intelligence, perspicacity, judgement, skill, and creativity are all represented by his vahana. The word “Hamsa” is a combination of two words, “aham”+ “sa.” It means “I am he.” The hamsa bird is lovely, serene, and graceful. It indicates that Brahma is the creator and master of all the beauty and grace of the world.

The ability of the bird to separate milk from water is also noted in the Vedas. This metaphorically suggests that Brahma can assist us in transforming our intelligence and knowledge so that we can distinguish between right and wrong.

3. Indra – Airavata (A White Elephant)

Lord Indra, the storm god, wields thunder and is a rain god. His Vahana Airavata, a large white elephant is frequently depicted with four tusks.

4. Vishnu – Garuda and Adi Shesha

Vishnu, often known as “The Preserver,” is a Hindu god who sits atop Adi Shesha and rides on Garuda, the Eagle King. Garuda was immensely powerful and was so huge that he could even block the sun. He resembled a bird with the head, wings, talons, and beak of an eagle and the body of a man. He is known by various names, like Chirada, Gaganeshvara, Kamayusha, Kashyapi, among others. There is an Upanishad in his name, the Garudopanishad, and a Purana, the Garuda Purana is sang in his devotion. The earliest mention of Garuda is in the Vedas, by the name Syena. It is written that the mighty bird was responsible for bringing nectar to earth from heaven. Adi Shesha or Shesha Naga, according to Hindu scriptures, carries all of the planets and the earth on his hoods. Adi Shesha was born to sage Kashyap and his wife Kardu, according to Mahabharatha.

Garuda, his mount, represents wisdom, insight, and amazing speed. As a result, everyone who wishes to regulate unfulfilled thoughts and maintain mental balance should worship Lord Vishnu.

5. Ganesha – Mushak (Mouse)

Lord Ganesha was regarded as the Obstacle Remover. Ganesha, the elephant-headed chubby god, is one of Hinduism’s most prominent deities. He has an unusual mount in the form of a Mouse. It’s hard to believe an he could ride in a little rat. However, the fact contains a lot of significant symbolism.

Lord Ganesha adored mice and considered them to be his vahana.Lord Ganesh was very intelligent and he could find ways out of any trouble. This is why a mouse was chosen as his vahana since mice can also get themselves out of difficulty quickly.

6. Surya Dev – Seven Horses

The Surya Deva, according to Hindu dharma, is the giver of light to the world and one deva whom we can see with our eyes directly. Kasyapa is his son, and Chhaya Devi is his wife. Willpower, health, fame, and vigour are all represented by the deity sun. Ravi, Pusha, Aditya, and Grahapati are all names for the sun. Lord Surya is known by 12 various names, which are repeated as Surya Namaskar mantras. The god Sun rides seven horses, each representing one of our subtle body’s seven chakras or spiritual centres.

7. Kartikeya – Peacock

Murugan, Subramaniam, Sanmukha, and Skanda were all names given to Lord Kartikeya. He is Lord Shiva’s and Goddess Parvati’s second child. He is also referred to as the deity of war. Kartikeya is a famous deity in India’s southern states. He is the epitome of perfection, a fearless leader of God’s army who was created to win over asuras. He is the owner of the Vahan Peacock.

8. Durga – Tiger

Devi’s unconquerable form is Goddess Durga. Durga is shown as a warrior woman riding a tiger and wielding several weapons and mudras (symbolic hand motions). Durga riding a tiger symbolises Her limitless power, which she utilises to safeguard virtue and punish evil. Her tiger serves as both a mode of conveyance and a weapon.

9. Lakshmi – Ulka (Owl)

Maha Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of fortune, wealth, and happiness. Her Vahan is Ulka an Owl. Her Vahan – Ulka represents patience and intelligence. In Bihar and Jharkhand bats are believed to be a form of the Goddess Lakshmi. Goddess Lakshmi has the ability to not only bestow prosperity on her devotees, but also to remove bad omens and misfortune from their lives. As a result, her association with the owl also represents her power to ward off bad omens and bad luck.

10. Saraswati – Swan

Saraswati, the goddess of art, music, and learning, is frequently depicted with a book and a veena, a stringed instrument. She is the dawn-goddess whose beams dispel the darkness of ignorance; she is the river of consciousness that animates creation. There is just chaos and disarray without her.

To understand her, one must look beyond the pleasures of the senses and find peace in the soul. The Vahana of Saraswati is a peacock or a swan. The peacock represents arrogance and vanity in its beauty, and the Goddess instructs Hindus not to be concerned with outward appearances and to be wise about everlasting truths by having a peacock as her mount.

11. Parvati – lion

Parvati is the goddess who is Shiva’s wife in her most gentle form. Parvati is portrayed as a beautiful woman.Her Vahana is a lion.

12. Maa Ganga – Magar (Crocodile)

The Goddess Ganga is revered all around the country. She is the Ganga River, which provides life to millions of Indians. She is revered as the most sacred river and the mother of all rivers. She can remove all sins of the person who takes a dip in her holy waters. The Vahana of goddess Ganga is a Magar which is a Crocodile.

13. Sheetala – Donkey

The goddess Sheetala Mata, who is associated with fever and smallpox, is also said to ride a donkey. On her quest to provide relief to the children, Shitala Mata holds a broom in one hand and a Kalash (water jug) in the other.

14. Shani – Vulture, Crow, and Raven

In Hindu Astrology, Lord Shani refers to the planet Saturn, which is one of the nine heavenly objects known as Navagraha. He appears as a black figure with a sword in his right hand, seated atop Vulture, Crow, or Raven, and is one of the Puranas’ most worshipped deities. He is also known by the names Ara, Kona, and Kroda. Portraying Shani Bhagavan with the crow, vulture or raven as his vehicle is symbolic of his own fearful appearance. It also symbolises planet god suppressing thievery or undesirable tendencies. It also demonstrates how Shani’s beneficent influence may transform the evil monster into something cheerful and useful.

15. Agni (Fire) – Ram (Goat)

Agni, the god of fire, is one of Hinduism’s most important gods. Every time a fire is ignited, it manifests itself. God Agni is often seen riding a ram or a chariot drawn by goats. Agni is also said to be riding a chariot drawn by horses in certain tales. The Ram is a symbol of strength, energy, and power. Agni’s vigour is represented in the Ram, the vehicle he chose for himself.

16. Yama – Buffalo

Yama is renowned as the God of Death in Hinduism. He rides the Buffalo as his Vahana, with fiery eyes, a club, and a noose in his hands. According to the Vishnu Puran, Yama is the son of the sun god Surya, and Sandhya (Daughter of Vishwakarma).

17. Kamdev – Parrot

Kamdev, the God of Love, is shown as a dashing young man with a parrot for a Vahana (vehicle), a sugarcane bow with bees for a bowstring, and flower-tipped arrows. He is the embodiment of love, lust, and sensuality, and he reigns supreme.

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• Vahanas – The Rides of Hindu Gods and Goddesses