DeitySupreme or transcendent Shiva form
Sadashiva
Sadashiva — Supreme or transcendent Shiva form; theological descriptions differ among Shaiva systems.
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The divine
Characters & Cosmic Entities.
Beings, divine forms, sages and epic figures. The editorial power roster contains 700 ranked entries.
720 profiles · 700 in the master ranking
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DeityThe guide of Arjuna
Krishna
Krishna is the divine teacher in the Bhagavad Gita, where his dialogue with Arjuna explores action, devotion, knowledge, and duty.
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DeityRama is prince of Ayodhya and divine embodiment of righteous kingship
Rama
Rama — Rama is prince of Ayodhya and divine embodiment of righteous kingship, identified with Vishnu.
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DeitySupreme goddess of Sri Vidya
Lalita Tripurasundari
Lalita Tripurasundari — Supreme goddess of Sri Vidya, associated with beauty, consciousness, and the Sri Chakra.
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GoddessThe invincible goddess
Durga
Durga is a powerful manifestation of the Goddess. The Devi Mahatmya tells of her conflict with Mahishasura and celebrates divine feminine power.
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GoddessFierce goddess of time
Kali
Fierce goddess of time, transformation, and liberation; identities overlap with other goddess forms.
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DeityMahavidya whose name denotes sovereignty over worlds
Bhuvaneshwari
Mahavidya whose name denotes sovereignty over worlds; supreme in some Shakta interpretations.
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DeityVishnu's man-lion manifestation
Narasimha
Vishnu's man-lion manifestation, overcoming Hiranyakashipu's conditional protections.
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Divine manifestationBoar manifestation of Vishnu
Varaha
Boar manifestation of Vishnu, associated with recovery of the earth and Hiranyaksha's defeat.
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Divine manifestationVishnu's dwarf and world-striding manifestation
Vamana / Trivikrama
Vishnu's dwarf and world-striding manifestation.
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Divine manifestationFish manifestation associated with flood rescue
Matsya
Fish manifestation associated with flood rescue; textual details differ.
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Divine manifestationTortoise manifestation supporting the churning of the ocean
Kurma
Tortoise manifestation supporting the churning of the ocean.
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Divine manifestationFuture manifestation expected at the close of Kali Yuga in Puranic accounts
Kalki
Future manifestation expected at the close of Kali Yuga in Puranic accounts.
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Divine manifestationAxe-bearing Brahmin warrior manifestation and teacher
Parashurama
Axe-bearing Brahmin warrior manifestation and teacher; associated with cycles of conflict with rulers.
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Divine manifestationKrishna's elder brother
Balarama
Krishna's elder brother, associated with strength, agriculture, and Shesha; avatar lists differ.
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Divine manifestationHorse-headed divine form associated with sacred knowledge
Hayagriva
Horse-headed divine form associated with sacred knowledge; distinguish the asura namesake.
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Divine manifestationEnchanting manifestation of Vishnu
Mohini
Enchanting manifestation of Vishnu; its episodes and identities require tradition-specific context.
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Divine manifestationDivine sage associated with Atri and Anasuya and
Dattatreya
Dattatreya — Divine sage associated with Atri and Anasuya and, in many accounts, the Trimurti.
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