The Oracle

Deva & Devi

Agni
God of fire. Messenger of the gods, sending messages and offerings in the flames and smoke of fire. Son of Prthivi and Dyaus Pita, brother of Sakra Devenam Indra (Indra). His mount is the ram. One of the 12 protectors of the directions (South-East).

Candra
God of the moon, also a bodhisattva (candraprabha – moonlight). Sometimes rides a white goose or a chariot (the moon) pulled by an antelope or 10 white horses. Brother of Surya. One of the 12 protectors of the directions (the moon).

Dhrtarastra
One of the Four Heavenly Kings, guardian of the Eastern Quarter. Normally carries a sword and a lute. Has an army of Gandharva (Celestial Musicians) and Pisaca (Vampire like Spirits).

Dyaus Pitar (Sky Father)
God of the sky, consort of Prthivi (Earth Mother), father of Agni and Sakra (Indra). Was killed by his son Sakra (Indra)

Ganesha
Elephant headed god of conjugal harmony, child-giving, long life, the remover of obstacles, grants good fortune to new beginnings. Son of Mahesvara (Siva) and Uma (Parvati), brother of Skanda. His associated animal is the mouse.

Hariti
Goddess of protection of children and easy delivery and child rearing. Originally a demon (a raksha) that fed human children to her many demon children, after one of her children was hidden from her she repented of her ways when her child was returned and became a protective deity. Consort of Pancika.

Kama
God of love, in Buddhism the son of Laksmi. Sometimes he has wings. His animal associations are the cuckoo, parrot and bees. He shoots people with a bow and arrow (made of sugar cane, bees and flowers) that makes people fall in love.

Laksmi (Sri)
Goddess of beauty, love, prosperity, fortune, wealth, luck and merit. In Buddhism the consort or sister of Vaisravana and mother of Kama, in Hinduism the consort of Vishnu. Her mount is the owl.

Mahabrahman (Brahma)
Resides in the Brahma heaven (first of four meditation heavens in the realm of form). His mount is the wild goose. Has four heads to look in each direction. One of the 12 protectors of the directions (upward or heaven direction). A god of wisdom. In Hinduism is the consort of Sarasvati, creator of the universe and one of the three chief gods along with Siva and Vishnu.

Mahakala
God of Wealth, Farmers, Agriculture, Rice, Kitchen, provider of food and a fierce protective/war deity that conquers evil. Normally carries a bag of treasure and a magic mallet which produces anything that is desired when struck. Consort of Mahakali, a black-faced goddess of procreation. His associated animal is the rat.

Mahesvara (Isana/Siva)
Resides in the sixth (or highest) heaven in the realm of desire. A protective deity, also one of the 12 protectors of the directions (the North-East). Consort of Uma (Parvati), father of Skanda and Genesha. In Hinduism presides over cosmic destruction and is one of the three chief gods. His mount is a bull.

Mara
A god of desire, temptation and distraction, sometimes referred to as a demon. Resides in one of the heavens in the realm of desire.

Marici
Goddess of light, mirages, wealth and warriors. Her mount is a boar or a chariot pulled by boars.

Pancika
A Yaksha General in the armies of Vaisravana. Consort of Hariti.

Prthivi
Earth and mother goddess. Consort of Dyaus Pitar (Sky Father). Mother of Sakra Devenam Indra (Indra) and Agni. One of the 12 protectors of the directions (Downwards direction).

Sakra Devanam Indra (Sakra/Indra)
Lord of the Heaven of the 33 Devas at the peak of Mount Sumeru. Commands the Four Heavenly Kings (representing the centre). God of storms, thunder, war and wealth. Able to revive those slain in battle and a protector of all against evil. His mount is a many tusked elephant called Airavata, although he sometimes rides a chariot with his charioteer Matali. Son of Prthivi and Dyaus Pitar, brother of Agni, consort of Suja (Indri). One of the 12 protectors of the directions (East). His weapon is the vajra (thunderbolt).

Sarasvati
Goddess of Music, Poetry, Learning, Eloquence, Art, The Sea/Rivers, Good Fortune and a Protector of Children. In Hinduism she is the consort of Brahma, in Buddhism she is a protective deity.

Skanda
A protector of holy places and relics, a kitchen deity, a general in the armies of the Four Heavenly Kings, also a bodhisattva. Son of Mahesvara (Siva) and Uma (Parvarti). His mount is a peacock.

Suja (Indri)
Consort of Sakra Devenam Indra (Sakra/Indra). The daughter of Vemacitrin, a chief of the Asuras and enemy of Sakra (Indra).

Surya
God of the sun and a bodhisattva (Suryaprabha – sunlight). His mount is either a seven headed horse or a chariot pulled by seven horses. Brother of Candra. One of the 12 protectors of the directions (the sun).

Uma (Parvati)
Protective deity and consort of Mahesvara (Siva). Her mount is a lion or tiger.

Vaisravana (Kubera)
One of the Four Heavenly Kings that protect the four directions under the rule of Sakra Devanam Indra (Indra). Resides on Mount Sumeru. Guardian of the Northern Quarter, god of Earth, Wealth & Treasure, War & Warriors, Healing, King of the Yaksha, Protector of Holy Places, Protector against demons. Has a jewel spitting mongoose. Has an army of Yaksha (Nature Spirits), Raksha (flesh eating demons) and Kimnara (Celestial Musicians). One of the 12 protectors of the directions (North). Carries a pagoda shaped treasure house, an umbrella and sword or spear.

Varuna
An Asura and not a Deva. Originally a god of order, the sky, rain and Celestial Ocean, later a god of waters, seas, oceans and rivers and sometimes healing. His mount is a Makara (a crocodile like sea serpent). One of the 12 protectors of the directions (West).

Vayu
God of the wind, his mount is an antelope. One of the 12 protectors of the directions (North-West).

Virudhaka
One of the Four Heavenly Kings, guardian of the Southern Quarter. Normally carries a halberd. Has an army of Preta (Hungry Ghosts) and Kumbhanda (demons that can drain a persons vitality).

Virupaksa
One of the Four Heavenly Kings, guardian of the Western Quarter. Normally carries a three pronged spear. Has an army of Naga (mystical serpents and dragons) and Putana (Spirits associated with fever and protectors of pregnant women).

Visvakarman
God of craftsmen and architects. He is the craftsman and smith of the Heaven of 33 Devas.

Yama-raja
Yama is said to be the first human to die and so became the god of death, the underworld and hell realms and chief judge in the afterlife, judging individuals by their karma and deciding what their next incarnation will be. His consort and sister is Yami. One of the 12 protectors of the directions (south). Also resides in the Yama heaven. His mount is a water buffalo.

Sources:
www.onmarkproductions.com
www.wikipedia.org
Buddhist Cosmology: Philosophy and Origins by Akira Sadakata; Kosei Publishing Co. Tokyo.

Thanks for this M, never really studied the Indian Gods before, I must say though from looking at this, they all share similar identities with neighbouring Gods.

Buddhas

Amida Buddha (Amitabha/Amitayus)
The Buddha of Infinite Light and Infinite Life, the primary focus of Pureland (Jodo) Buddhism. Has a pureland in the west in which you can be reborn into by chanting his name (Namu Amida Butsu).

Bhaisajya-Guru (Yakushi)
A Buddha of Healing that has a pureland to the East. Usually referred to as the ‘Medicine Buddha’, ‘Healing Buddha’ or ‘Master/Teacher of Healing’.

Maha-Vairocana (Dainichi)
A Cosmic Buddha, said to represent the life force of the universe and is considered to be everywhere and in everything (ourselves, air we breath, etc). Prominent in Shingon and Tendai Buddhism. His name translates as ‘Great Sun’.

Prabhutaratna (Taho)
An ancient Buddha who appears when a Buddha teaches the Lotus Sutra. His name translates as 'Abundant Treasures'.

Shakyamuni Buddha (Shakya)
The Historical Buddha and founder of what would become Buddhism. Born Prince Siddartha Gautama of the Shakya Clan in what it now modern day Nepal. His name translates as ‘Sage of the Shakyas’.

Sources:
www.onmarkproductions.com
www.wikipedia.org
Buddhist Cosmology: Philosophy and Origins by Akira Sadakata; Kosei Publishing Co. Tokyo.

Bodhisattvas

Akasagarbha (Kokuzo)
A Bodhisattva of Memory and Wisdom. His name means ‘Space Treasury’. Also a protector of Artisans and Craftspeople. Considered to be a brother of Ksitigarbha.

Anantacaritra (Muhengyo)
A leader of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth in the Lotus Sutra and a disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha. His name means 'Boundless Conduct'.

Avalokitesvara (Kuan Yin/Kannon)
A Bodhisattva of Compassion, who’s name means ‘World Cry Regarder’ as he listens to the cries of the world and helps those in need and is one of the most popular and widely known bodhisattvas. He is said to have 33 basic manifestations, can appear in male or female form and is also connected to healing. In Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is considered to be an incarnation of Avalokitesvara.

Bhaisajya-raja (Yaku-o)
A Bodhisattva of Healing and also represents the purifying power of the sun. His name means ‘Medicine King’. Was the first of two siblings to make a vow to heal the physical and mental disease of all beings and convinced his brother to follow the same course. Is said to have provided many efficacious medicines for monks. Usually shown holding a willow branch.

Bhaisajya-sumudgata (Yaku-jo)
A Bodhisattva of Healing and also represents the purifying power of the sun. His name means ‘Medicine Lord’ or ‘Superior Physician’ and is the younger brother of Bhaisajya-raja. Together they represent diagnosis and treatment. Usually shown holding a willow branch.

Candraprabha (Gakko)
A Bodhisattva of Moonlight and protector of the Medicine Buddha. The twin of Suryaprabha.

Ksitigarbha (Jizo)
A Bodhisattva of Compassion and Patience. His name means ‘Earth Treasury’and is said to have made a great vow to not ‘certify to Bodhi and enter Nivana’ (become a Buddha) until all the hells are emptied. He is said to wander the six realms of samsara (incarnation) to help those in need, but is particularly associated with the hell realms. He is also considered a protector of travellers. Is sometimes considered the brother of Akasagarbha Bodhisattva. He is also considered the protector of deceased children and expectant mothers. Often shown attending Shakyamuni Buddha or Amida Buddha.

Mahasthamaprapta (Seishi)
A Bodhisattva of Wisdom, Strength and Vigour. His name means ‘Great Strength’ or ‘Ever Zealous’. Often shown as a female attendant of Amida Buddha with Avalokitesvara and is prominent in Pureland (Jodo) Buddhism.

Maitreya (Miroku)
A Bodhisattva of Compassion, who is said to reside in one of the heavenly realms until he is reincarnated as the next Buddha. His name means ‘Benevolent One’ or ‘Friendly One’. In some Buddhist traditions, what is know as the ‘Laughing Buddha’ in the Western World (Hotei/Budai) is considered an incarnation of Maitreya.

Manjusri (Monju)
A Bodhisattva of Wisdom, Intelligence and Willpower. Carries a fiery sword that cuts through illusion and often rides a Shishi (mythical lion). Often shown attending Shakyamuni Buddha. His name means ‘Sweetly Auspicious’.

Samantabhadra (Fugen)
A Bodhisattva of Praxis (putting theory into practice). A protector of those that teach Buddhism. Often rides an Elephant. His name means ‘Universal Virtue’. Often shown attending Shakyamuni Buddha with Manjusri.

Supratishitacaritra (Anryugyo)
A leader of the Bodhisattvas from the Earth and disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha. His name translates as 'Steadfast Conduct'.

Suryaprabha (Nikko)
A Bodhisattva of Sunlight and protector of the Medicine Buddha. The twin of Candraprabha.

Tara (Tarani)
A Bodhisattva of Compassion, said to have sprung from the eye of Avalokitesvara. Her name means ‘Star’. Prominent in Tibetan Buddhism.

Visistacaritra (Jogyo)
Principle leader of the Bodhisattvas from the Earth and disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha. His name translates as 'Eminent Conduct'

Visuddhacaritra (Jyogyo)
A leader of the Bodhisattvas from the Earth and disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha. His name translates as 'Pure Conduct'.

Sources:
www.onmarkproductions.com
www.wikipedia.org
Buddhist Cosmology: Philosophy and Origins by Akira Sadakata; Kosei Publishing Co. Tokyo.

Wow, thanks for this Mawrth ap Prydain, you've really put in your research!

it's brilliant to see some of the less well known deities represented here.

Thanks Dethas. Well I'm Buddhist and I found it interesting to look at the various gods and protective spirits that travelled from India along with Buddhism. The Devas I listed have a mostly Buddhist slant and so may vary slightly from the Hindu interpretation, it will be interesting if people do more 'profiles' on the Indian deities to see the differences between the Buddhist and Hindu interpretations.

I know strictly speaking the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are not gods or goddesses, but I thought I would put them in anyway. I am hoping to find time to add the Vidyaraja (Myo-o/Wisdom Kings) and maybe a few of the demi-gods, spirits, demons and 'non-human beings'.

Gassho,

M