Puranic deities aren't a single list but encompass major gods like Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma, along with their avatars (like Krishna, Rama) and consorts (Lakshmi, Parvati, Saraswati), plus goddesses (Durga, Kali), Vedic gods (Indra, Agni, Surya), and celestial beings, all detailed across 18 Maha Puranas (e.g., Bhagavata, Shiva, Vishnu, Linga) and Upapuranas, portraying divine forms, cosmology, and spiritual paths.
Major Deities (Trimurti & Consorts)
- Vishnu: Preserver; avatars include Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Kalki; consort Lakshmi.
- Shiva: Destroyer/Transformer; consort Parvati/Kali/Durga; sons Ganesha, Kartikeya (Skanda).
- Brahma: Creator; consort Saraswati.
Prominent Goddesses (Shakti)
- Lakshmi: Goddess of wealth, consort of Vishnu.
- Saraswati: Goddess of knowledge, consort of Brahma.
- Parvati/Durga/Kali: Consort of Shiva, forms of divine energy.
- Ganga: Personification of the Ganges River.
Key Gods & Celestial Beings
- Indra: King of gods, associated with rain and thunder.
- Agni: God of fire.
- Surya: The Sun God.
- Soma: The Moon God.
- Yama: God of death.
- Kubera: God of wealth.
- Rahu & Ketu: Eclipse demons/celestial bodies.
The 18 Maha Puranas (Examples of Deities Within)
- Vishnu-centric: Vishnu, Bhagavata, Garuda, Naradiya, Padma, Varaha.
- Brahma-centric: Brahma, Brahmanda, Brahmavaivarta, Markandeya, Bhavishya, Vamana.
- Shiva-centric: Shiva, Linga, Matsya, Kurma, Skanda, Agni.
Other Notable Deities
- Ganesha: Remover of obstacles, son of Shiva & Parvati.
- Kartikeya (Skanda): God of war, son of Shiva & Parvati.
- Hanuman: Devotee of Rama, depicted in Skanda Purana.
Puranas also feature various demi-gods, sages (like Vyasa), ancestors (Pitrs), and cosmic beings, all contributing to a rich pantheon where deities manifest aspects of the one Brahman
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Dhanvantari is the physician of the devas in Hinduism.
He is regarded as an avatar of Vishnu.[6] He is mentioned in the Puranas as the god of Ayurveda.
During his incarnation on earth, he reigned as the King of Kashi, today locally referred to as Varanasi
Dhanvantari is also identified as the great-grandfather of Divodasa, the King of Kashi
mentioned in the Vishnu Purana who is known as the father of surgery in Ayurveda.