The vāhana () or vahanam () denotes the being, typically an animal or mythical entity, a particular Hindu deity is said to use as a vehicle. In this capacity, the vāhana is often called the deity's "mount". Upon the partnership between the deity and his vāhana is woven into much iconography and Hindu theology. Deities are often depicted riding (or simply mounted upon) the vāhana. Other times, the vāhana is depicted at the deity's side or symbolically represented as a divine attribute. The vāhana may be considered an accoutrementAccoutrement = "that which accompanies". of the deity: though the vāhana may act independently, they are still functionally emblematic of or even viewed as an extension of their "rider". The deity may be seen sitting or standing on the vāhana. The deity may be sitting on a small platform, riding on a saddle, or riding bareback on the vāhana.Glossary: Vahana . Undated. Accessed August 10, 2007.
Etymology Vah in Sanskrit means to carry or transport. The word also means 'vehicle' in Sanskrit and other Indian languages.
Symbolism In Hindu iconography, the positive attributes of a divine vehicle are often emblematic of the deity it carries. Nandi the bull and vehicle of Shiva, represents strength and virility. Dinka the mouse and vehicle of Ganesha, represents speed and sharpness. Parvani the peacock and vehicle of Kartikeya, represents splendor and majesty. The hamsa, the vehicle of Saraswati, represents wisdom, grace, and beauty.
However, a divine mount also symbolizes the negative or destructive forces over which the deity triumphs. Mounted on Parvani, Kartikeya reins in the peacock's vanity. Seated upon Dinka, the rat (Mushika), Ganesha subdues erratic thoughts, which multiply like rodents in the dark. Shani, the protector of property, rides a vulture, raven, or crow, whose thieving tendencies he represents. Under Shani's influence, the vahana can turn even malevolent events into sources of hope.
Examples
Garuda Garuda and the story of how he became the mount of Vishnu are richly detailed in Hindu texts. Born to Vinata through the power of Kashyapa's penance, the demigod was anguished to find that his mother had been enslaved by her co-wife, the cruel Kadru. When he pleaded with Kadru to free his mother, she demanded the nectar of immortality as the price of her freedom. His quest to secure amrita, the nectar of immortality, is described in the Mahabharata episode known as the Amṛtakalaśāpaharaṇam:
Mushaka While Ganesha was still a child, a giant mouse began to terrorize his friends. Ganesha trapped the creature with his lasso (pasha) and made him his mount. Mushika was originally a gandharva, or celestial musician. After absent-mindedly stepping on the feet of a rishi (sage) named Vamadeva, Mushika was cursed and transformed into a demon mouse. However, once the rishi calmed his anger, he promised Mushika that one day the devas themselves would bow down before him. This prophecy was fulfilled when the mouse became the vahana of Ganesha.
Nandi Before becoming the vahana of Shiva, Nandi was a deity called Nandikeshvara, the lord of joy and master of music and dance. Over time, his name and artistic attributes were absorbed into the aspect of Shiva known as Nataraja. From an anthropomorphic or semi-bovine form, he has been represented primarily as a bull. Since then a statue of Nandi has guarded the entrance of virtually every Shiva temple, perpetually facing the inner shrine.
Paravani Kartikeya, the war god known as Murugan in South India, is mounted on a peacock named Paravani. This peacock was originally a demon named Surapadma, while his banner's rooster was originally a demon named Krichi. After battling Murugan, the demon repented as Murugan's divine spear (vel) descended upon him. Surapadma transformed himself into a mango tree to evade death, but when Murugan split the tree in two, one half became a rooster, which he made his battle emblem, and other became a peacock, which he chose as his mount (vahana).
In another version, Kartikeya was born specifically to kill the demon Tarakasura. Raised by the Krittikas, he was appointed commander of divine armies when he was only six days old. After defeating Tarakasura, Kartikeya forgave his fallen foe and transformed him into his mount, the peacock.
Yali The Yali is a mythical creature that combines the features of a lion, elephant, serpant and sometimes a horse. It is used as an important vahana in South Indian Hindu traditions. It represents strength and majesty. Silver or gold-plated wooden procession mounts (Yali vahanam) are used during annual temple festivals such as Brahmotsavam to carry the deities of Vishnu. In Navagraha iconography, Budha (Mercury) is also sometimes depicted as riding a Yali.
Compared to other belief systems The animal correspondences of Hindu divine vehicles (vahana) are not consistent with Greek and Roman mythology or other belief systems that tie a specific animal to a particular deity. For example, the Hindu goddess Lakshmi is associated with elephants, an owl, or—a rare non-animal vehicle—a lotus blossom. The ancient Greek goddess Athena also had an owl as her emblem, but the symbolic meaning assigned to owls in the two traditions differ significantly, as do the roles of goddesses themselves.
Lakshmi is primarily the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and her owl serves as a warning against greed, isolationism, and selfishness. By contrast, Athena is primarily the goddess of wisdom, with her owl symbolizing erudition, secret knowledge and scholarship. The Greco-Roman interpretation is paralleled in Roman Catholic iconography, in which St. Jerome, famed for translating the Vulgate, is often depicted with an owl symbolizing wisdom and scholarship.The Collection: St. Jerome , gallery of the religious art collection of New Mexico State University, with explanations. Accessed August 10, 2007. Depending on the tribe, Native American traditions ascribe diverse meanings to the owl—both positive and negative—as do Ainu and Russian folklore, but none match the specific symbolism assigned to Lakshmi's owl.Owl and Mythology , p. 3. Accessed August 10, 2007.
Some scholars argue that similar cross-cultural comparisons for other Hindu vahana show that parallels with animal symbols elsewhere are either coincidental or inevitable (such as linking bulls to virility) rather than evidence of shared origin. Conversely, theologians argue that each vahana, as an aspect of ishta-devata (or an asura in its own right), embodies unique spiritual wisdom; while comparative analysis offer insight, true understanding is not served by reducing distinct cultural symbols to homogeneous meanings.
List of vahanas
Vahana Deities associated Image Mouse Ganesha (pictured)VinayakiKarni Mata Horse Kalki, Revanta, Chandra, Surya (pictured), Khandoba, Ayyanar, UshasMhalsa Garuda (pictured) Vishnu, Krishna, Rama, Vaishnavi YaliVishnu Nandi (pictured) Shiva, Maheshvari, IshanaIshvari Ram Agni (pictured), MangalaSvahaDhavdi Mata Peacock Kartikeya (pictured), KaumariSaraswati Dog Bhairava (pictured)Hadkai mata Hamsa (pictured) Brahma Brahmani, Saraswati, Gayatri, Vishvakarma Makara Ganga (pictured), Varuna, Akhilandeshwari, KhodiyarKaveriTapatiVarious river goddesses Tiger Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Durga, Rahu, Ayyappan (pictured) Lion Skandamata, Katyayani, Parvati (pictured), Budha, Chandika, Mariamman, Kamakhya, Narasimhi, Kaushiki, Avad mata, Jagaddhatri, Durga, Vaishno Devi Elephant Indra (pictured), Lakshmi, Shachi, Brihaspati Parrot Meenakshi, Kama (pictured), Rati Antelope Chandra, Vayu (pictured) Water buffalo Yama (pictured), Varahi, Dhandai DeviChamunda CatMargaret Stutley's The Illustrated Dictionary of Hindu Iconography, p. 127 Shashthi (pictured) Donkey Kalaratri, Shitala (pictured), Kali, Alakshmi Owl Lakshmi (pictured). Accessed August 10, 2007.ChamundaKāla Vulture Ketu (pictured), ShaniAlakshmi Nirṛti Crow Shani, Dhumavati (pictured)Jyestha Tortoise Yamuna (pictured) Cockerel Bahuchara Mata (pictured) Cow Dattatreya (pictured), Shailaputri, Mahagauri, BhumiUmiya Maa Gatrad maa Snake Manasa (pictured) naagbai mataNageswari mata Corpse (Betāl) Chamunda (pictured), Smashana Kali MongooseKubera (pictured)Bhadra Man Nirrti (pictured), Kubera, Bhadrā Devi Duck Manasa (pictured) Ilish Jhulelal Camel Hanumanji, MomaiJackalShivaduti, KaliDholeChamundaGoatMeldi Mata and Gel maa GaurPaplaj MataVerai Maa
These iconographic associations are not always uniform. For example, Ganesha is sometimes depicted riding a peacock. Less frequently, Ganesha appears mounted on an elephant, or a lion, or a multi-headed serpent (see Ganesha's Vahanas).Forms of Ganesh: The Mouse Mount and Other Ganesh Mounts . Accessed August 10, 2007.
The vahana symbolically doubles as a deity's power. The vahana also represents the devotee's mind, which the deity controls and guides. Goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura without the help of her vahana, lion given to her by her father Himalaya. Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, dispenses material and spiritual wealth from her mount, the owl Uluka. Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, cannot enter every space despite his strength. However, his mount—the mouse Mushika or rat Akhuketana—can crawl into small crevices and survive in harsh environments, enabling Ganesha to overcome the greatest of obstacles.
See also Hindu deities Hindu iconography Hindu mythology List of Hindu deities
Notes
External links
Holy Vehicles, an illustrated list. Accessed August 10, 2007. Hindu Deities and Their Vehicles , a partial list at About.Com. Accessed August 10, 2007. Symbolism of the Vehicles of Gods and Goddesses. Accessed August 10, 2007.