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Indian Goddesses - S
Saranyu
In Hindu myth, the wife the Surya, the sun-god, and sometimes regarded
as a dawn-goddess.
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Samundra
Goddess of rivers.
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Sanjna
Hindu goddes of the dawn.
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Sarasvati
She is the the archetype of human creativity and learning. The goddess
of language, art, and science, she blesses books as sacred and promises
musical creativity. As consort of Brahma, Sarasvati is the Goddess of
learning and the creative sciences, of speech, poetry, music and science.
. In Hinduism, the Quiescent or Absolute aspect of Godhead is depicted
by the male Divinity, and the active-creative Divine Force by the female
energy or Shakti. Just as Kali represents Shakti in her fierce nature,
Sarasvati represents her in mild form. She is depicted with a veena and
her mount, the swan; one hand holds a sacred book, the other confers blessing.
Prayers to Sarasvati can bring artistic inspiration.
In the early Vedic mythology of India, Sarasvati was connected with the
sacredness of the river that purified and brought fertility to the dry
lands. In the Vedas, because of her purification powers, she is regarded
as a healing goddess. In the spiritual tradition, a seeker is said to
pass from the world of ignorance through the purifying waters and onto
the opposite shore of enlightenment. It was believed that the Sarasvati
River originated in the heavens and continued flowing to the earth.
In later Hindu tradition Sarasvati, as the embodiment of culture, brings
to the world the gifts of learning and knowledge as well as speech and
the arts, especially music. She is known by many titles including Pratibha
(she who is intelligence); Kalpanasakti (the power of formation of ideas);
Jnanasakti (power of knowledge); and Sarvasastravasini (who lives in all
books). She is usually depicted with four hands, holding a book symbolizing
learning; a vina (lute) symbolizing the arts; and a water pot and prayer
beads symbolizing spiritual realms and religious rites. The swan and the
white paste made from the sandalwood tree symbolize her purity.
One of a trinity of Water Goddesses from India, it was she who caused
words to flow like a flooding river. She invented all the arts and sciences
and ruled the intellectual realm. It was said that she invented writing
so that the music she inspired could be preserved. Although she is often
pictured on the back of a swan, the peacock is the emblem of Sarasvati.
Sati
A Hindu goddess. She was the daughter of Daksha and the wife of Shiva.
When Shiva mistreated her father, she threw herself onto the sacrificial
fire and burned to death.
Shakti
In Hindu myth, the appellation of the consort of Shiva as the female principle
or active, dynamic potency.
Shasti
A Hindu protective goddess of children and women in childbirth.
Shatala
(Sitala, Satala) Hindu goddess of smallpox.
Sita
The wife of Rama, who was kidnapped by Ravana. As Rama was an incarnation
of Vishnu, so Sita was an incarnation of Lakshmi or Sri. In the Vedas,
Sita is "the Furrow", the personified goddess of the female
principle of fertility.
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Sradda
Hindu goddess of faith.
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Sri
In Hindu myth, one the appellations of Lakshmi, goddess of beauty and
good fortune.
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Sunrta
Goddess of happpiness.
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Sura
The Vedic goddess of wine.
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Surabhi
The fourth goddess of children.
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Svaha
Svaha was a minor goddess who was called on when offerings were made.
She is best known as the consort of Agni. The character began as a nymph,
and she gained divine status as a result of her connection to Agni. In
one story, she disguised herself and came to Agni for six nights. As a
result of this union, the god Karttikeya was born (however, although according
to another story, Karttikeya was the son of Parvati and Shiva).
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Svasti-devi
Hindu goddessof the household.
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