In Hindu Mythology, God is considered as a source of light, helping people in their relentless pursuit of truth. And if today it has become moribund, inactive and irresponsive to growth, it is because the people have forgotten the history and the very roots because of which today exists a life.
Brahma : The Creator
Lord Brahma, The Creator of the world; is traditionally depicted with four faces and four arms in the Hindu Iconography.Each face of his points to a cardinal direction. His hands hold no weapon, rather symbols of knowledge and creation. His four mouths are credited with creating the four vedas. Often depicted in white, his vehicle is 'Hansa', a swan or goose.
Vishnu : The Preserver
Lord Vishnu, the Preserver of the world; takes various 'Avatars' whenever the world is threatened with evil, chaos and destructive forces. Krishna being in Mahabharata, peacock feather symbolises Lord Vishnu. In Hindu iconography, He is usually depicted with a pale blue complexion and four arms; holding a 'Padma' ie. Lotus, 'Gada' ie. Mace, 'Chakra' ie. Discus, and 'Shankh' ie. Conch. It says that Lord Vishnu dreams the universe into reality.
Shiva : The Destroyer
Shiva is the "Destroyer of evil and the Transformer". The Hindu iconography depicts a serpent around his neck, holy river Ganga flowing through his hair, the third eye on his forehead, The Trishul as his weapon and Damru. Lord shiva dances while angry, commonly known as 'Shiv-tandav' and is usually worshipped in the aniconic form of Lingam.
Saraswati : The Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge
Goddess saraswati, consort of Lord Brahma, is the mother of the vedas. She is portrayed as a fair woman with four hands, sits on a white lotus holding a veena, a book, an 'Akshmala' and the rosery. Veena symbolises music and fine arts. Her usual mount is a goose and yellow, the colour of fertility and purification is often depicted through her.
Laxmi : The Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity
Goddess Laxmi, consort of Lord Vishnu; is the godess of wealth, fortune and prosperity. She is the divine strength, elegantly dressed, prosperity-showering golden-coloured woman with an owl as her vehicle, signifying the importance of economic activity in the maintenance of life, her ability to move, work and prevail in confusing darkness. Her four hands symbolises the four goals of human life : Dharma, Karma, Artha, Moksha. She sits on a pink lotus and two elephants holds lotus in their trunks.
Durga : The Goddess of Courage
Goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva; is the goddess of fertility, love and devotion, as well as of divine strength and power. Parvati, the generous aspect of Devi Shakti is fair beautiful and benevolent, holding a conch, crown, rosery or lotus. The feroucious aspect of Shakti, Durga or Kali has eight or ten arms. She is the warrior goddess who comabates evil and demonic forces that threaten peace. A crescent moon adourns her head for her being half of Shiva. Her vehicle is a lion and and holds varoius weapons such as trident, gada, chakra, cross-bow etc. in her hands.
Surya : The Sun
Surya, The Sun God, depicted in Hindu iconography is often as riding a chariot harnessed by horses. He is known for the sun rays, and also for the colour of gold.
Varuna : The King of Waters.
Varuna, is associated with water. He is the God of Oceans, his vehicle is 'Makara' ie. fish and his weapon is 'Pasha' ie. noose.
Indra : The God of Wars and Rain
Indra is the God of Wars, rains, fertility and the night-time sky king of Heavens. He is the God of lightning, thunder, rainbows, storms and river flows. He is celebrated for his powers. Indra's iconography shows him wielding a lightning thunderbolt, 'Vajra', riding on a white elephant called 'Airavata'.
Yama : The God of Death
Yama, The God of Death, and the underworld; is said to have been the first mortal who died. His iconography says him to be associated with buffalo, which is his vehicle and 'Pasha' ie. Noose or 'Danda' ie. Rod to be his weapon.
