Aside from the Trimurti, there is another group of three deities – the three main focuses of worship. They again include Vishnu and Shiva, but Shakti replaces Brahma. They correspond to the three main denominations, as shown below. (Sometimes a fourth denomination, worshipping many deities, is included – see Four Main Denominations)
The three main types of worshipper in order of prominence
Vaishnavas – worshippers of Vishnu
Shaivites – worshippers of Shiva
Shaktas – worshippers of Shakti
Shakti is the consort of Shiva and is considered the personification of material energy (Mother Nature or Prakriti). Like nature she can be nurturing and bountiful but also cruel and dangerous, As Parvati she is kind, but as Kali appears cruel and frightening. Durga, in a warlike form, is equipped for battle to protect her devotees. This picture shows her in her form as Durga. Shakti is often addressed as Devi (goddess) or Mataji (respected mother). This term is also used to address the other goddesses, who are the "Shaktis" of their respective spouses. Therefore, the worship of Shakti sometimes includes the veneration of both Lakshmi and Sarasvati, as in the festival of Navaratri. Shakti literally means "energy."
Four Main Deities
The Trimurti and Shakti comprise the four main deities. All other deities fall in one of four corresponding categories:
1. as a form of Vishnu
2. as a form of Shiva
3. as a goddess (Shakti)
4. as a powerful soul, who has taken on a very elevated body (such as that of Brahma).
Divine Couples
Two of the three main focuses of worship, namely Shiva and Shakti, are husband and wife. They are
shown here as Shiva and Parvati, together with Ganesh, one of their two sons.
Similarly, the other two members of the trimurti have their consorts. There are thus three main goddesses, the respective partners of the trimurti, as shown below:
Vishnu + Lakshmi
Shiva + Shakti
Brahma + Sarasvati
Krishna and Rama (as Vishnu forms) have their respective consorts, Radha and Sita (see Twelve Principal Deities), who are forms of Lakshmi.
Animal Carriers
On this spread, Shiva is shown with his mount, the bull called Nandi. The four main deities shown here have their respective mounts, as shown below:
Vishnu – Garuda, the giant eagle
Shiva – Nandi the bull
Brahma – the swan
Shakti – the lion or tiger
Also Read:
Worship
Focuses of Worship
Food and Prasada
The three main types of worshipper in order of prominence
Vaishnavas – worshippers of Vishnu Shaivites – worshippers of Shiva Shaktas – worshippers of ShaktiFour Main Deities
The Trimurti and Shakti comprise the four main deities. All other deities fall in one of four corresponding categories:
1. as a form of Vishnu
2. as a form of Shiva
3. as a goddess (Shakti)
4. as a powerful soul, who has taken on a very elevated body (such as that of Brahma).
Divine Couples
Two of the three main focuses of worship, namely Shiva and Shakti, are husband and wife. They are
Similarly, the other two members of the trimurti have their consorts. There are thus three main goddesses, the respective partners of the trimurti, as shown below:
Vishnu + Lakshmi Shiva + Shakti Brahma + SarasvatiKrishna and Rama (as Vishnu forms) have their respective consorts, Radha and Sita (see Twelve Principal Deities), who are forms of Lakshmi.
Animal Carriers
On this spread, Shiva is shown with his mount, the bull called Nandi. The four main deities shown here have their respective mounts, as shown below:
Vishnu – Garuda, the giant eagle Shiva – Nandi the bull Brahma – the swan Shakti – the lion or tigerAlso Read:
Worship Focuses of Worship Food and Prasada
