Personal deities

• Hindu choices of personal deities

  • Most Hindus prefer a personal deity whose powers are easier to understand than those of a Supreme being (formless) 
  • They choose to worship personal deities for whom they have a natural affection , or they consider relevant to their daily lives 
  • Some Hindus prefer a fierce personal deity such as Durga 
  • Others prefer a calm personal deity such as baby Krishna
• Hindu beliefs of personal deities

  • They refer to God as bhagavan 
  • They believe they are under the protection of one particular god
• What worship at the family is like

  • Family murtis at home are washed and their clothes changed regularly 
  • They’re offered food as a sign of love and are decorated with flowers 
  • Photographs of grandparents, wise teachers or faithful friends who have died are also punt in the family shrine 
  • A bell is rung to tell the deity the worshippers are ready 
  • Worship is usually at dawn 
  • The OM (sound and symbol of God) should be the 1st word uttered each day
• What the Swastika is and what it's key features represent

  • Ancient symbol of the sun and prosperity 
  • The branches face the opposite way to the Nazi symbol 
  • The - branches point out from the centre - symbolising that the human mind is unable to understand directly the truth about Brahman 
  • The swastika points in every direction - showing how God is present in every place and form of life