Consorts of Hindu Gods and Demi-Gods

Vishnu Laxmi, Shiva Parvati, Brahma Saraswati and Other Pairs

Nov 9, 2009

Most Hindu deities are worshiped with their consorts alongside. This is based on the belief that the male-female duality is essential for the sustenance of the universe.

In most temples the idols of the deities are in pairs. The male and the female are worshiped together. Representations of deities and their consorts are so entrenched in the Hindu psyche and the mythology that has been built around them is so powerful that the underlying philosophy is not commonly known. This article discusses the mythology and the underlying philosophy.

Hinduism's Supreme Gods

The Supreme God in Hinduism manifests as the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma is entrusted with the creation of the universe. Brahma’s consort is Saraswati. Saraswati is the Goddess of learning and venerated by those involved in cultural pursuits like art, music and literature.

Saraswati is also known as Gayatri, Brahmani, Savitri and Shatrupa. There are several conflicting accounts in the Puranas about Brahma and Saraswati. The Matsya Purana says that Brahma created Shatrupa and then married her. Swayambhu Manu was their son who was the first human.

Vishnu is the preserver of the universe. His consort is Laxmi, the Goddess of prosperity. Vishnu and Laxmi reside at Kshirsagar, the sea of milk. Laxmi emerged from the churning of the ocean.

Shiva first married Sati. Sati immolated herself in the sacrificial fire when her father insulted Shiva. Thereafter Sati was born as Parvati, the daughter of the Himalaya Mountains. After performing severe austerities Parvati finally convinced Shiva to marry her. Shiva and Parvati reside on the Kailash Mountain. Parvati has several avatars. Prominent of these are Gauri, Kali and Durga.

The Demi-Gods

The demi-Gods are the sons of Sage Kashyap and Aditi. In the early Vedic period they were the predominant deities. The demi-Gods also have their consorts. Indra is the king of the demi-Gods. His consort is Sachi. She was the daughter of the demon Puloman, who was killed by Indra. Indra had a roving eye and Sachi was intensely jealous of and furious at his misadventures. In fact Indra and Sachi are very like Zeus and Hera.

Surya, the Sun God, is another important demi-God. He is the founder of the Solar Dynasty in which Vishnu incarnated as Rama. Surya had three wives - Samjna, Rajni and Prabha. Vaivasvata Manu was the son of Surya and Samjna and the Solar Dynasty was continued through him. Yama and Yamuna were the other children of Surya and Samjna. Samjna could not bear Surya’s brilliance so she ran away leaving in her place her shadow Chaya. Surya and Chaya had four children including Shani who is considered inauspicious in Hindu mythology.

Agni is the demi-God of Fire. His consort is Svaha, the daughter of Daksha. Svaha is important in Hindu ritual because it is believed that Agni does not accept any offering made to the sacrificial fire unless the name ‘Svaha’ is uttered while making the sacrifice.

Purusha and Prakriti

Samkhya is one of the six main schools of Hindu philosophy. It was founded by Sage Kapila. According to Samkhya the formless God manifests as Purusha and Prakriti. Purusha is the male principle, without cause and without causing anything. It is the supreme consciousness that knows everything but remains unknowable. Prakriti is the prime cause of everything in the universe except Purusha. Like Purusha it is without cause. It is the female principle and gives rise to all material and energy content of the universe. The creative process of Prakriti commences only when the Purusha becomes established in it.

This philosophy is quite abstruse and difficult to comprehend without academic pursuit. Therefore it has received personification by representing the deities as couples. That representation conveys that both the male and the female principles are equally important in the creation and sustenance of the universe.

The importance of couples also finds place in Hindu ritual. Any worship of magnitude needs to be performed together by the husband and the wife. An example is the kanyadaan. If either of the parents of a girl who is getting married is not there then the kanyadaan has to be performed by a husband wife couple closest to the girl.

The Matsya Purana, Dipavali & Bibek Debroy, Navprabhat Printing Press, New Dehli.

The copyright of the article Consorts of Hindu Gods and Demi-Gods in Hindu Mythology is owned by Harsh Nevatia. Permission to republish Consorts of Hindu Gods and Demi-Gods in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.