Sacred
animals also became the mounts (vahanas) of various Hindu gods.
Symbolizing or complementing the energy or character of deity, they
came to be integral to iconography and were always depicted with
the deity.
Among the early Aryan gods to receive
mounts were Agni (fire) whose vahana was a sheep, Varuna (water)
naturally mounted on a crocodile, Vayu (wind) appropriately astride
an antelope, and the Moon riding the heavens on a deer.
Carnivores, the dreaded enemy of man
and his cattle, came to be the mounts of the Goddesses Durga and
Kali. Their ferocity and strength was an obvious accessory to their
destructive and demonic aspect and established their supreme power.
Herbivores on the other hand, were associated with male gods. Nandi,
the bull, vahana of Shiva, reflected his legendary virility.
The Deer, consistently associated with
Brahma, were also represented with Shiva who is frequently depicted
holding a deer to signify his status as Pashupati, Lord of the Beasts.
Lord Vishnu soars above the earth on
Garuda, the golden eagle-hawk, who is swifter than the wind and
the sworn enemy of snakes. He has the head, wings and talons of
a bird but the body of a man. A sense of power and strength is always
evident in depiction of Garuda.
Brahma's mount is the hamsa, variously interpreted as a swan
or goose. The bird was later also associated with Saraswati, the
goddess of learning. Its veneration was believed to ensure success
in every enterprise. Apart from its depiction with the deity, the
hamsa also frequently adorns lamps, symbolizing the goddess's capacity
to dispel the darkness of ignorance.
Kartikeya, god of war, has a peacock
for his vahana. This apparently incongruous relationship has been
traced to the bird's formidable ability to destroy snakes.
Indra, king of the lesser gods and lord of rain, rides the
elephant Airavata. Also allied with Laxmi, goddess of prosperity,
elephants were widely represented.
The river goddesses, Ganga and
Yamuna, were appropriately mounted on a tortoise and a crocodile
respectively. The fish, a symbol of fertility, as were all aquatic
creatures, was related to the god of love, Kama, and often emblazoned
on his banner. His consort, Rati (passion), was usually represented
with a parrot. Commonly portrayed in erotic sculpture, this bird
also indicated the mood of love.
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