Gods and Their Divine Vahanas

The only deity whose vahana is a human, Lord Kubera is seen mounted on a nara -man. As the Lord of Wealth, his vahana indicates that man should learn to be the master of money and not its slave.

Myth has it that Shani Dev chooses his vahana in accordance with the tasks he is to perform- reward or penalize. When he rides over a horse/elephant he brings comfort and wealth, over a lion he brings fame, over a donkey he brings suffering, over a jackal he takes away intelligence, over a dog gives threat of becoming a miser.

The four-tusked white elephant is famed as Indras vehicle. His tusks resemble a sacred mountain and he is also at times portrayed with seven trunks. Lord Indra is known as the God of Rain. Once, Lord Indra was riding on Airavata to defeat a demon. After the battle, as the Lord routed back home, Airavata pulled out water from nowhere and sprayed it on the clouds, resulting in rain.

The owl represents detachment as it remains refrained from material things. Thus, Goddess Lakshmi is said to be mounted on the owl, who signifies that, if you remain detached from material things and use them for the welfare of others, only then Maa Lakshmi would shower her blessings.

The water buffalo is said to be immensely robust to bear two fully armored Gods on its shoulders. The God of Death is often seen along with his partner Shyamala, mounted on the water buffalo. The animal also indicates commitment to the purpose of justice and righteousness as preached by Yama.

The ferocious tiger rightly represents the anger and aggression of Maa Durga as she defeats the demons. It also indicates how Mata keeps undue violence and arrogance under control.

The swan represents beauty, grace, judgement and intelligence. Since Lord Brahma is seen as the creator of this beautiful world who has instilled knowledge and creativity in mankind, the swan rightfully remains his vehicle.

Lord Shivas name Pashupati clearly depicts his association with cattle as the name suggests the Lord of Cattle. The bull represents Dharma Devata. Lord Shiva is the protector of Dharma/righteousness and hence Nandi is his sacred vahana.

Garuda -eagle forms the mount of Lord Vishnu. The deity is always depicted riding on the shoulders of Garuda. A sacred bird in Vaishnavism, it is said to travel at high speed and is symbolic of human thoughts that too travel in the same manner.

The prime deity, Ganesha is said to have 8 incarnations. Of these, Bappa is seen mounted on a mouse in 5 of them. The lion, peacock and serpent form his vahanas in the remaining 3 incarnations. The mouse is generally considered destructive in nature. If not controlled at the right time, it can cause immense damage. Human mind also depicts the same and hence, Lord Ganesha who protects the mind from flowing in the negative space has the mouse as his vahana.

In Hindu religion, every deity is seen seated/mounted on a Vahana -vehicle. This vahana is usually a bird, animal or a mythological creature. As per scriptures, a Gods vahana holds utmost importance and is revered like the deity is. So heres bringing you 10 Gods and their Vahanas.