Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Vishnu
The preserver or sustainer, Vishnu is associated with 'right action'. He protects and sus-
tains all that is good in the world. He is usually depicted with four arms, holding a lotus, a
conch shell (it can be blown like a trumpet so symbolises the cosmic vibration from which
existence emanates), a discus and a mace. His consort is Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth,
and his vehicle is Garuda, the man-bird creature. The Ganges is said to flow from his feet.
THE SACRED SEVEN
The number seven has special significance in Hinduism. There are seven sacred Indian cities, which are all major
pilgrimage centres: Varanasi, associated with Shiva; Haridwar, where the Ganges enters the plains from the Him-
alaya; Ayodhya, birthplace of Rama; Dwarka with the legendary capital of Krishna thought to be off the Gujarat
coast; Mathura, birthplace of Krishna; Kanchipuram, site of the historic Shiva temples; and Ujjain, venue of the
Kumbh Mela every 12 years.
There are also seven sacred rivers: the Ganges (Ganga), Saraswati (thought to be underground), Yamuna, In-
dus, Narmada, Godavari and Cauvery.
Shiva
Shiva is the destroyer - to deliver salvation - without whom creation couldn't occur.
Shiva's creative role is phallically symbolised by his representation as the frequently wor-
shipped lingam. With 1008 names, Shiva takes many forms, including Nataraja, lord of
the
tandava
(cosmic victory dance), who paces out the creation and destruction of the cos-
mos.
Sometimes Shiva has snakes draped around his neck and is shown holding a trident
(representative of the Trimurti) as a weapon while riding Nandi, his bull. Nandi symbol-
ises power and potency, justice and moral order. Shiva's consort, Parvati, is capable of
taking many forms.
Shiva is sometimes characterised as the lord of yoga, a Himalaya-dwelling ascetic with matted hair, an
ash-smeared body and a third eye symbolising wisdom.
