Deities · Divine hierarchy

The sacred order of deities.

From the Trimurti to the avatars — know the deities of Sanatan dharma by name, role, and relationship.

Divine hierarchy

Parabrahman

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Brahma Vishnu Shiva

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Tridevi · Avatars · Devas

01 · Trimurti

Trimurti

Creation, preservation, and transformation — Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

The Creator

Brahma

ब्रह्मा · The Four-Faced One

Brahma is the creator of the cosmos, associated with knowledge, the Vedas, and the power of bringing form into being.

Related: SaraswatiRead more ↗

The Preserver

Vishnu

विष्णु · Narayana

Vishnu preserves the world. When dharma declines, he incarnates to restore balance and protect life.

The Transformer · Lord of Yoga

Shiva

शिव · Mahadeva

Shiva governs dissolution and renewal. He is the supreme emblem of yoga, austerity, and compassion.

02 · Tridevi

Tridevi

Three forms of Shakti — Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati.

Goddess of Wisdom

Saraswati

सरस्वती · Goddess of Speech

Saraswati is the goddess of learning, music, arts, and pure speech.

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Goddess of Prosperity

Lakshmi

लक्ष्मी · Shri

Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, fortune, beauty, and abundance — both outer and inner.

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Shakti · Mother of the World

Parvati

पार्वती · Uma · Durga

Parvati is Adi Shakti — the complete form of love, strength, motherhood, and spiritual practice.

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03 · Avatars

Avatars

Vishnu’s incarnations who restore dharma on earth.

First avatar

Matsya

मत्स्य · The Fish

As Matsya, Vishnu saved Manu and the Vedas from the great deluge.

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Second avatar

Kurma

कूर्म · The Tortoise

As Kurma, Vishnu supported Mount Mandara so the ocean could be churned.

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Third avatar

Varaha

वराह · The Boar

As Varaha, Vishnu rescued the Earth from Hiranyaksha and lifted her from the waters.

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Fourth avatar

Narasimha

नृसिंह · Man-Lion

As Narasimha, Vishnu destroyed Hiranyakashipu to protect devotee Prahlada.

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Fifth avatar

Vamana

वामन · Trivikrama

As Vamana, Vishnu measured the three worlds in three steps and checked Bali’s pride.

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Sixth avatar

Parashurama

परशुराम · Bhargava

Parashurama is the axe-bearing avatar who struck down kshatriya tyranny and injustice.

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Seventh avatar

Rama

राम · Ideal of righteous conduct

Rama is an avatar of Vishnu who lives the ideal of dharma, duty, and compassion.

Related: HanumanRead more ↗

Eighth avatar

Krishna

कृष्ण · Lord of Yoga · Madhava

Krishna is the avatar of love, divine play, and supreme wisdom. In the Gita he teaches the path of life.

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Ninth avatar

Buddha

बुद्ध · Gautama · Tathagata

The Buddha avatar is seen as the form that teaches compassion, non-violence, and right knowledge.

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Tenth avatar

Kalki

कल्कि · The final avatar

Kalki is the future avatar who will appear at the end of Kali Yuga to restore dharma.

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04 · Divine companions

Divine companions

Beloved deities such as Ganesha, Kartikeya, and Hanuman.

Remover of obstacles

Ganesha

गणेश · Ganapati

Ganesha is worshipped first in auspicious acts — deity of wisdom, beginnings, and clearing the path.

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Commander of the divine army

Kartikeya

कार्तिकेय · Murugan · Skanda

Kartikeya leads the divine army — a symbol of courage, discipline, and youthful energy.

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Devotion · Strength · Service

Hanuman

हनुमान · Maruti

Hanuman is Rama’s supreme devotee — a living ideal of strength, humility, and selfless service.

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This hierarchy of 19 deities is a starting path into devotion and knowledge.