Your favourite “deity.”

[SomeRandom]

Okay, I know there’s always a little sibling rivalry among us.
But let us all join together as one to extol the virtues of the divine which appeal to us the most. Whether that be Krishna, Shiva or even Indra.
Whatever you like goes.
I love the nurturing aspect, the patient mother and all forgiving nature of mother Kali.
What are yours?

 

[Vinayaka]

It varies for me, depends on mood and circumstance. If I need worldly help like finding a new car that will run forever, or getting along with people who are difficult to get along with, it's Ganesha. (I can't seem to get rid of my current car, it's 12 years old, burns no oil, and seems like it'll run for another 12 years.) To see the bigger picture, and just to sit in darshan, sannidhya, for inner reflection, it's Siva. And for more austere stuff, for really deeper insight when heavier challenges arise, it's Murugan. I often do penance, same thing twice ... once to in from Him of the challenge, and ask for intervention, and then secondly, to thank Him for said intervention.

Most commonly ... Ganesha. He's also the most fun.

 

[Jainarayan]

It varies for me too, depending on my current "cause" or issue or pursuit. When I'm in musical mode, which hasn't been for ages, I draw closer to Maa Saraswati, or she draws closer to me. For my physical fitness pursuits, it's Hanuman. I'm always asking Ganesha to help me get by, to protect me from my own stupidity. But by and large, I think of, and talk most often to Vishnu in his Krishna form.

 

[Vinayaka]

For me, the understanding of God is at two levels. One is the external ... theism. The other is the internal ... monism. Monistic theism, in other words. For me, it is taking the best of both worlds. At the monism level there are no differences.

 

[Jainarayan]

Someone once described it to me as "theologically/philosophically monistic" and "ritualistically/religiously polytheistic". I think that's a pretty good description, for me at least.

 

[Martin]

For me, the understanding of God is at two levels. One is the external ... theism. The other is the internal ... monism. Monistic theism, in other words. For me, it is taking the best of both worlds. At the monism level there are no differences.

An interesting distinction, that between looking inwards and outwards. Does "internal" monism here refer to the experience of Atman/Brahman?

 

[Terese]

Lord Vishnu! Most benevolent, most awe-inspiring, most intelligent, most handsome

 

[Aupmanyav]

Though I am an atheist, I 'know' all Gods and Goddesses of Hinduism. They are my close friends, with me all the time, I talk and have fun with them.
My favs are Lord Rama and Mother Sita, and Lord Siva and Mother Parvati, though I like Krishna also.
I have one problem with Krishna. When I bow to him(*), whom should I consider his (Principal) consort - Radha, Rukmani, Jambavanti, Satyabhama or the lesser known Kalindi, Nagnajiti, Mitravinda, Lakshamana or Bhadra? The first two are strong contenders, though Radha only as the lover.
He puts me in a flux.

(*) To satisfy my theist family people, to confirm with them. If anyone of my grandchildren turns out to be an atheist, that would be his/her choice. They will go through the same process through which I have gone.

 

[Vinayaka]

An interesting distinction, that between looking inwards and outwards. Does "internal" monism here refer to the experience of Atman/Brahman?

Yes. Merging as a river into the sea.

Edited ... But this is far more than a philosophical stance, it's an actual mystical 'event'.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Yeah, SomeRandom, I am like that.

Vinayaka, that is an intellectual event. Puts everything in its right place. One comes to understand his/her own self.
'Brahma Veda, Brhmaiva bhavati' (One who comes to know Brahman, verily becomes Brahman).

 

[Vinidra]

Mother Durga is my favorite. She encompasses all!

 

[ajay0]

I revere the Shivalingam/Jyotirlingam as a cosmic pillar or point of light.

The Prajapita Brahmakumaris consider the Shivalingam to be a point of light synonymous with Jehovah, Allah and Ahura Mazda of the other monotheistic religions.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I don't practice bhakti yoga, so my familiarity with the deities of Hinduism is quite limited, but I do feel a connection to Nataraja (Shiva as the cosmic dancer). I have two Nataraja statues; they are only representation of deity in my home.

 

[Vinayaka]

Vinayaka, that is an intellectual event.

For you, for sure. Carry on.