The ganas were attendants and military troops of the gods. Many gods had ganas of their own. Gods and their Ganas 1) Shiva Ganas Leader: Ganesha Co-leaders: Nandi, Veerbhadra, Bhringi, Chandesvara 2) Vishnu Ganas Leader: Vishvaksena 3) Kubera Ganas Leader: Manibhadra 4) Deva Ganas Leader: Kartikeya Co-leader: Indra
Kartikeya is the Hindu god of war and the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. He is the commander-in-chief of the army of the devas. His brother is the elephant-headed Ganesha. He is also commonly known as Murugan, Skanda, Kumara, and Subhramanya. Family Father: Shiva Mother: Parvati Brothers: Ganesha Wives: Valli and Devasena Background An …
Yama is the god of death. Whenever someone is destined to die, Yama sends his Yamaduttas to take that persons’ soul to Yamapuri. Yamapuri is the abode of Yama. Then, at Yamapuri it is decided where to send this soul. Holy souls go to places like Swarga, Vaikuntha, and other lokas, while sinful souls go …
Kubera is the god of wealth and money. He is also the king of the Yakshas. He is the guardian (lokapala) of the north direction. His mantra is ‘Om Sham Kuberaya Namaha’. He lives in the city of Alaka. Shiva is his good friend. Kubera is sometimes called Vaishravana or Ailavila because of his parents. …
Vayu deva is the god of winds. He lives in Gandhavati, the city of Vayu. He was the father of Bhima the Pandava and Hanuman. His mount is the gazelle which symbolizes swiftness. He is the lokpala (dikpala) of the northwest direction. He is also known as Pavana deva. Family Sons: Makanaka, Gandhavayu, Mahabhra, Kuvara, …
Chitra is a divine apsara who lives in Swarga loka. Being an apsara, her job is to entertain the gods. She is a friend of the apsara named Urvashi. Once, when Ashtavakra went to the court of Kubera, Chitra performed a dance in honor of his visit.
Agni deva is the fire god and acceptor of sacrifices. He is the god of divine knowledge. He is also the ashta-dikapala (guardians of the directions) of the southeast direction. To invoke Agni deva the mantra is ‘Om Agnidevaya Namaha’. In the Vedas, Agni is the second-most important deva after Devapati Indra. His mount is …
Varuna deva is the god of water, oceans, and the night sky. He is also the guardian (lokapala) of the west direction. He is one of the Adityas, the 12 sons of Kashyapa and Aditi. Varuna is paired with Mitra many times as Mitra-Varuna because of their similar characteristics. Varuna’s capital city is called Shraddhavati. …
Matali is the personal charioteer (sarthi) of Indradeva, the king of the devas. He is the greatest charioteer in the world. The way he deals with horses is so magnificent, it looks like as if the horses respond to his thought. Family Father: Sage Samika Mother: Tapasvini Wife: Sudharma Daughter: Guna Kesi Birth of Matali …
Indra is the king of all the gods. He is also the god of thunderstorms, lightning and fierce weather. He lives in Amaravati or Indraloka, the city on the peak of Mount Meru. He rules there in a huge palace. His mount is a white elephant named Airavata. He also has Sarama, the dog as …