Vahana
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Vahana is the being or object that serves as the mount or vehicle of a deity in Indian mythology. Vah in Sanskrit means to carry or to transport.
Deities almost always have an animal for a vahana. The vahana is sometimes real, sometimes mythological, and sometimes a composite. The mounts of Agni, Kama, and Durga are a ram, a parrot, and a lion or tiger, respectively. Garuda, the vahana of Vishnu, is half-man, half-eagle. The makara, vahana of Varuna and Ganga, is a sea monster comprised of a crocodile, elephant, tapir, and tortoise.
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[edit] Symbolism
In iconography, the vahana is both the symbol and the emblem of the deity that it carries. Nandi the bull, vahana of Shiva, represents strength and virility. Parvani the peacock, vahana of Skanda, represents splendor and majesty. The swan, mount of Saraswati, represents grace and beauty.
As the assistant of a deity, the vahana serves the function of doubling his or her powers. Durga the warrior could not have destroyed the demon Mahishasura without the aid of her mount, Manashthala the lion. Lakshmi, goddess of fortune, dispenses both material and spiritual riches from her mount, Uluka the owl. Ganesh, remover of obstacles, cannot go everywhere despite his elephant-like strength. However, his vahana, Mushika the mouse, can slide into the smallest crevice and overcome the greatest obstacles. He also carries Ganesh's benedictions.
As an animal, the vahana symbolizes the evil forces over which the deity dominates. Mounted on Parvani, Skanda reins in the peacock's vanity. Seated on Mushika, Ganesh crushes useless thoughts, which multiply like rats in the dark. Shani, protector of property, has a raven in which he represses thieving tendencies. Under Shani's influence, the raven can make even malevolent events bring hope.
Tradition also says that all human beings have the task of and the destiny of becoming the vahana of God.
[edit] Origins
The vahana of a deity can vary according to the source, the time, and the place. In popular tradition, the origin of each vahana is told in thousands of different ways.
While Ganesh was still a child, a giant mouse began to terrorize all his friends. Ganesh trapped him with his lasso and made him his mount. Mushika was originally a gandharva, or celestial musician. After absentmindedly walking over the feet of rishi, Vamadeva, he was cursed and transformed into a mouse. However, after the sage had calmed down, he promised him that one day, the gods themselves would bow down before him. This came to pass when his path crossed Ganesh's.
Murugan, the first form of Skanda in Southern India, is also mounted on a peacock. This peacock was originally a demon called Surapadma. After provoking Murugan in combat, the demon repented at the moment his lance descended upon him. He took the form of a tree and began to pray. The tree was cut in two. From one half, Murugan pulled a rooster, which he made his emblem, and from the other, a peacock, which he made his mount.
Before becoming the vahana of Shiva, Nandi was a deity called Nandikeshvara, lord of joy and master of music and dance. Then, without warning, his name and his functions were transferred to Shiva under his aspect, Nataraja. From half-man, half-bull, he became simply a bull. Since that time, he has watched over each of Shiva's temples, always looking towards him.
[edit] Vahanas of some major and minor deities
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[edit] See also
| Hinduism | Hindu mythology | Itihasa |  |
|---|---|
| Female Deities: Gayatri | Saraswati | Lakshmi | Dakshayani | Parvati | Durga | Shakti | Kali | Sita | Devi | Radha | Mahavidya | more... | |
| Male Deities: Brahma | Vishnu | Shiva | Rama | Krishna | Ganesha | Kartikeya | Hanuman | Lakshmana | Indra | Surya | more... | |
| Texts: Vedas | Upanishads | Puranas | Ramayana | Mahabharata | |
