Goddesses+of+India

Introduction:
====The majority of Hindu Mythology originally evolved from Vedism. The main goddesses have symbols of fertility because this is what women were honored for. Each woman in the Hindu culture is dignified because she is said to be a manifestation of the Divine Mother. In the beginning, Hindu religion mainly worshipped mother nature. The Vedas transformed this religion into the worshipping of gods and goddesses.====

=__Main Goddesses of Hindu Mythology: __=


 * ====Aditi- Goddess of consciousness, the past, the future, and fertility====
 * ====Banka-Mundi- Goddess of hunt====
 * ====Bhumi- Goddess of the Earth====
 * ====Chandra- Lunar goddess====
 * ====Lajja Gauri- Goddess associated with abundance and fertility====
 * ====Manasa- Snake goddess/ prosperity====
 * ====Parvati- Marital felicity, devotion to spouse====
 * ====Sinivali- Goddess of fecunditiy and easy birth====
 * ====Yami- Goddess of the underworld====

= Aditi = ==== ﻿Aditi- Sanskrit word for "free; infinite". Aditi is one of the only women goddesses mentioned in the Vedas. Aditi is the mother of every existing being. She is divine wisdom of space, consciousness, the past, the future and, fertility. ==== ====Unlike the other gods and goddesses, Aditi is not necessarily related to a particular natural phenomenon. Aditi is often asked to provide wealth and safety through prayer. She is often associated with a cow because she provides nourishment.====

=__ Devi __= ====Sanskrit word for "goddess". As depicted in the picture below, there are three manifestations of the Devi. On the left, Lakshmi- wealth/material fulfillment. In the center, Parvati- power/love/spiritual fulfillment. On the far right, Saraswati- learning and arts/cultural fulfillment. The Devi is known as the Universal mother.====

=__** Yami **__= ====Yami- Sanskrit word for "night". Yami, in Hindu religion is said to be the first woman. She has a twin brother, Yama, who is the god of the underworld. Yami and Yama are the children of Surya, the sun god, and the goddess, Saranya. Yami is often depicted black in color, riding a tortoise. In Tibetan beliefs, Yami is the goddess of death and rules the female spirits of the underworld.==== =**__ Saraswati __**= ====Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts. She is also believed to be "the mother of the Vedas". She and her sister Lakshmi are the daughters of Shiva. In stories, Saraswati is a river- having the personification of the goddess. Sara in Sanskrit means "flow"- explaining this personification of a flowing river of knowledge.==== ====

= -Allison Beveridge =

Next Page: History of Hindu Mythology
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