Acheri
According to folk tradition of India, an acheri is the ghost of a little
girl, and who comes down at night from her mountain haunts to bring sickness
to children in human habitations. A protection against such a molestation
would be to wear a bright-red thread around the neck.
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Adishakti
The primeval Hindu goddess of feminine energy. She is also known as
Shakti. |
Aditi
In Hindu mythology, Aditi was the goddess of the boundless sky; the original,
ultimate mother. Her name means "free from bonds", "the
unfettered" or "limitless", and the Vedas hint that she
was once all-encompassing. She undoubtedly pre-dates them, and was once
the goddess of the past and the future, the seven dimensions of the cosmos,
the celestial light which permeates all things, and the consciousness
of all living things. She was the mother of the sun god Mitra and the
moon god Varuna, in later times, she was known better for her twelve children,
who were called the Adityas in honor of her. She was named as the consort
of Kasyapa or Brahma. She is sometimes depicted in the guise of a cow.
She eventually became a guardian goddess who helped her worshippers find
a smooth path to what they were looking for.
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Agnayi
A fire goddess and consort of the fire god Agni.
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Ahalya
This myth is an excellent example of patriarchal versus matriarchal values.
It may also recount, in the obscure language of myth, the ancient Aryan
invasions. In Hindu myth, Ahalya is the wife of a devout sage. Indra,
a god in Hindu myths, once made love with Ahalya. As a punishment, Ahalya's
husband turned her into stone. Years later Rama lifted the spell by touching
her and persuaded her husband to forgive her.
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Ambika
A feminine personification of Parvati in Hindu mythology. An astonishingly
beautiful woman she lured demons to their deaths. She announced to them
that she would not bed with anyone who had not bested her in battle, and
when they approached to fight her she killed their retinue with a supersonic
hum, then transformed herself into the fearsome Kali and slew them.
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Ammavaru
An ancient goddess of India who existed before the beginning of time.
She laid an egg that hatched into the divine trinity of Brahma, Vishnu,
and Shiva.
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Annapurna
A Hindu avatar of Durgha who ruled over food production.
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Anumati
("divine favour") She is a moon goddess. Many Hindu goddesses
are worshipped as givers of wealth, intelligence, prosperity, children,
and spiritual enlightenment; Anumati is one such goddess.
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Anuradha
The Hindu goddess of fortune. She is the daughter of Daksha and wife of
Chandra.
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Apsaras
The Apsaras were nature spirits, the mates of the Gandharvas. They sometimes
were water nymphs, and other times were beings of the forest. They are
all female, and all of them are described as being very beautiful. They
were paired with the Gandharvas, who would play their instruments so the
Apsaras would dance. They would often perform for the gods in their palaces.
They were inspirations for love, and were sometimes sent to tempt rishis
or Brahmans who were very austere.
Aranyani
A Hindu woodland goddess.
Ardra
The Hindu goddess of misfortune.
Ardhanari
In Hindu mythology, Shiva represented as half-male and half-female, typifying
the incarnation of the male and female principles of the world.
Arundhati
A Hindu astral goddess.
Asha
Poorna
("hope fulfilled") A tuteloty Hindu goddess of the Chohans.
Aslesa
Another Hindu goddess of misfortune.
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Asri
("mishap") A Hindu goddess of misfortune. |
Astamatara
A Puranic Hindu group of mother goddesses.
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Asva
("mare") The Hindu dawn goddess, envisioned as a mare. She is
another form of Ushas. |
Asvayujau
The Hindu (Epic and Puranic) goddess of fortune.
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Aticandika
The Hindu (Puranic) form of goddess Durgha.
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Avaloketishwara
Goddess of Mercy. She is depicted wearing saffron robes as a meditating
or blessing-giving sunyassin, she is the essence of mercy and compassion.
As the Nepali and Chinese Buddhist form of bodhisattva Avaloketishwara,
she is considered the protector of mothers and the giver of children,
and specializes in rescuing her devotees from danger or suffering if they
call on her for help.
She is the Redeemer of Humanity. An emanation of Amitaba, the Buddha of
Infinite Radiance, this six-armed deity is also known as the Padma-Pani
(Lotus Bearer).
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