Hinduism is (mostly) a polytheistic religion. Mostly - is because some sects of hinduism (eg: arya samaj) believe in only one supreme being whereas some sects (atheist-hinduism) do not believe in any god at all.
It is popularly said that there are '33 Koti' (330 million) gods in Hinduism. This post intends to list the all known names of gods and related characters popular in different Hindu societies.
Please also note that one god or character may be called by several different names; sometime number of these name could go pass 20 and sometimes two different deities /characters may have same name which might create confusion as well.
The Great Trinity and their consorts
* Bramha (ब्रम्हा) (God of creation)
- Consort: Goddess Saraswati (सरस्वती)
* Vishnu (विष्णु) (God of preservation)
- Consort: Goddess Lakshmi (लक्ष्मी)
* Shiva (शिव) (God of dissolution)
- Consorts: Satidevi, Parvati
Women Powers
* Mata or Ma or Ambe: there are many temples devoted to women power or Mata (Mother) throughout South asia. They are (sometimes) also known as Shaktipeeth. See: List of shaktipeeths in Nepal. They use some different names in front of Mata. Example: Hinglaj Mata in Sindh, Pakistan, Manokamana Mata in Nepal etc.
* Devi (देवी) or Durga (दुर्गा) or Shakti (शक्ति)
(Many worship Durga as the consort of Shiva. Many believe that Laxmi and Saraswati are mild form and Kali and Chandi are wrathful form of Durga)
-Navadurga (नवदुर्गा) (Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayini, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, Siddhidaatri)
- Chandi (चण्डी) (also known as Chandika, RanaChandi, Chamunda) considered a form of Durga
- Kali (also known as Kalika) is fierce form of Durga or Parvati
* Mahavidya
Kali, Tara, Shodashi, Bhuvaneshvari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi & Kamala (considered as ten aspects of devi Parvati or Goddess Shakti - consort of Shiva)
- Tara (Tantric manifestations of Durga or Mahadevi, Kali, or Parvati)
- Tripura Sundari (त्रिपुरा सुंदरी ) or Mahatripurasundari or Shodashi or Lalita or Rajarajeshwari
- Bhairabi (consort Bhairab - a fierce manifestation of Shiva )
- Chhinnamasta (abode: cremation ground)
- Dhumavati (mount: crow)
- Baglamukhi or Pitambara Maa
- Matangi (tantrik form of saraswati, consort: shiva (described as an outcaste (Chandalini) and offered left-over or partially eaten food (Ucchishta) with unwashed hands or food after eating)
- Kamala or Kamalatmika (sometimes said to be Laxmi)
*Other women powers
- Santoshi Maa (daughter of Ganesha)
- Ashokasundari (अशोकसुंदरी) as described in Padma Puran daughter of Shiva and Parbati
- Kumari (living goddess in Nepal- a virgin pre-pubescent girl worshipped: see wiki)
Other gods
* Krishna (कृष्ण)
- Consorts: Radha, Rukmini + other 16,100 queens
- Elder brother: Balram (Avatar of Shesh-naag)
* Rama (राम)
(aka:- Raghav, Raghuveer, Raghupati, Sitakanta)
- Consorts: Sita (aka:- Bhumi, Janaki, Maithili, Janaknandani)
-Brother: Laxman (avatar of Shesh-naag)
* Dasavatars (10 avatars of Vishnu) (Krishna & Rama and - Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Buddha, Kalki)
* Hanumaan (हनुमान) (devotee of Rama)
* Ganesha (गणेश) (also know as Ganapati, Vinayak) is son of Shiva and Parvati
-Consorts: Riddi, Siddhi, Buddi
* Surya-dev (सुर्य देव) (God of Sun)
* Kartikeya (Son of Shiva and Durga) (also known as Skanda, Kumaran, Kumara Swami or Subramaniyan) (Murugan in Tamil - known as god of Tamil)
* Indra (Lord of Heaven) (Also in 33 gods)
-Consort: Sachi (Indrani)
* Kama-Deva (कामदेव) (God of Sex)
(also known as Manmathudu, Atanu, Ragavrinta, Ananga, Kandarpa, Manasija, Madana, Ratikanta, Pushpavan, Pushpadhanva, Kusumashara or Kama)
- Consorts: Rati, Priti
(Pradyumna, Krishna’s son, is considered to be an avatar of Kamadeva)
* Kuber (God of wealth)
* Vishwokarma (विश्वकर्मा) (God of architecture)
* Naag-Devta (Snake god) (devotee of Vishnu)
(avatars: Balram, brother of Krishna & Laxman, brother of Ram)
* Vithoba (Vitthal or Panduranga) (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh)
* Four Kumars (Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana and Sanatkumara) (mind born sons of Brahma)
* Budha (बुध) (aka Saumya-सौम्य, son of Chandra-Som and Tara, consort: Ila)
* Ila (इला) (aka Ida-इडा, goddess of speech, daughter of Vaivasvata Manu, consort of Budha)
Thirty-three gods (त्रिदश देव)
(Tridas dev includes 12 Adityas, 11 Rudras, 8 vashus, 2 Ashvins etc)
12 Adityas:-
* Vishnu (one of the great trinity is also included in Adityas)
* Indra (also known as Sakra)
* Mitra (मित्र) (God of Friendship)
* Aryaman (अर्यमन्) (Third son of Aditi)
* Bhaga (God of Wealth)
* Varuṇa (वरुण) (God of water and ocean) (consort: Varuni)
* Dakṣa (दक्ष) (Son of Bramha)
* Aṃsa (Son of Kasyap and Aditi)
* Tvastr (त्वष्टृ) (First born creator of the universe)
* Puṣan (पूषन) (god of meeting)
* Surya (also known as Aditya, Bhanu or Ravi Vivasvan, Vivasvat)
* Savitṛ (sometimes associated with Surya, Sun)
* Dhatri (god of health and domestic tranquility)
* Yama (यमराज) (God of death)
Ekaadash Rudra (11 Rudras):- (form or follower of Shiva, sometimes also considered as Sons of Shiva). There are many variations of this.
> According Ramayana & Vamana Puran: they are sons of Kasyap and Aditi
> According to Matsya Puran: they are sons of Bramha & Saurabhi (mother of all cows)
(names: Nirriti, Shambhu, Aparajita Mrigavyadha, Kapardi, Dahana, Khara, Ahirabradhya, Kapali, Pingala and Senani)
> According to Mahabharata they are Mrgavadha, Sarpa, Nirriti, Ajaikapad, Ahi Budhnya, Pinakin, Dahana, Ishvara, Kapalin, Sthanu and Bhaga
> Aswatthama, the son of Guru Drona is the avatar of one of the eleven Rudras so he is immortal.
Eight Vasus:-
* Pṛthivi (पृथ्वी) (Goddess of Earth)
* Agni (अग्नि) (God of Fire)
* Vayu (वायु) (God of Wind)
* Antarikṣa (अन्तरिक्ष) (God of Space)
* Jal (जल) (God of Water)
* Dyauṣ Pita (द्यौष्पितृ) (God of Sky)
* Surya-dev (सुर्य देव) (God of Sun)
* Soma (सोम) (God of Moon) (Chandra- aka Rajanipati, Kshupakara, and Indu - married to 27 Nakshatras, who are known to be daughters of Daksha - also abducted Tara, wife of Brhaspati, a made a son Budha from her)
* Dhurba (ध्रुव) (God of Star) (Devotee of Vishnu)
others:-
* Two Ashvins (अश्विन) - twin
* Indra (same above)
* Prajapati (Master of creatures)
List of Sages and Gurus
* Sage Naarad (नारद) (narada)
* Guru Shukra (शुक्र) (shukracharya, Ushanas) - guru of Asura (demons)
* Guru Brhaspati (बृहस्पति)- guru of Devas - (consort: Tara)
* Guru Drona (द्रोण) - aka Dronacharya- Guru of Kaurav and Pandavas - avatar of Brhaspati
* Sage Kripacharya (कृपाचार्य) aka Kripa (Guru of Kaurav and Pandavas)
* Sage Ashwatthama (अश्वत्थामा) - aka Drauni - Son of Drona
* Sage Vyasa (व्यास) - aka VedVyas - avatar of Vishnu - spouse: Pinjalaa - writer of Vedas
* Sage Parashurama (परशुराम)- 6th avatar of Vishnu
> Saptarishi (the seven sages):- Agastya, Atri, Bhardwaja, Gautam, Jamadagni, Vashista and Visvamitra (there are many different lists of saptarishis having slightly different members)
> Sapta-Chiranjivis (the 7 immortals / they never die):-
* Bali-During Vamana avatar, Lord Vishnu blessed him to be a Chiranjivi
* Hanuman, devotee of Rama
* Parashurama, 6th avatar of Vishnu,
* Ashwatthama, son of Sage Drona
* Guru Kripa (guru of Kaurav and pandavas)
* Sage Vyasa, composer of Mahabharata
* Vibhishana, brother of Ravana
List of other characters associated with Hinduism
* ancient hindu clans are broadly divided to two categories:-
Chandrabansa/ Somvansa / Lunar dynasty and Suryavansa / Solar dynasty.
(1) Chandra /moon / Lunar god married 27 Nakshatras
* Lunar dynasty/ Chandravansi: Budha was the child of Chandra who married Ila (Sanskrit: इल /इला), child of Manu.
* Pururavas (पुरूरवस्) (first king of Lunar dynasty), Grandson of Chandra & tara, Son of Budha and Ila)
* subclans: Kuruvans > Bharatvans
(2) Manu and Shatarupa (first male and female human created by Brahma)
Manu appears in the world at the start of a new kalpa (aeon), after the universal destruction. manu had several sons including ikshvaku and a daughter Ila.
* prominent figure of Solar dynasty:
Manu > Ikshvaku > Harischandra > Bhagirath > Dilip > Raghu > Aja > Dashratha > Lord Rama
* Ikshvaku (इक्ष्वाकु) (first king of Suryavansha-solar dynasty, son of Manu, sibling of Ila)
Characters of Mahabharata
Chandravansi (Lunar dynasty) > Kuruvansi (Kuru dynasty) > Bharat-vansi (Bharata dynasty)
Genaration1: Santanu (youngest son of King Pratipa of Hastinapur) (wife: Ganga & Satyawati)
(Santanu had two big brothers: Devapi had leprosy and gave up his inheritance and became hermit.
Bahlika abondoned his parental kingdom hastinapur and adopted maternal kingdom and later became king of Balkh. Bahlika was the oldest man fought in kurukshatra war. he, his son Somadatta and grandson Bhurishravas fought for kaurava side)
Generation 2: Sons of Santanu :Bhisma(from Ganga), Chitrangada & Vichitravirya (from Satyawati)
(Bhisma never married, Chitrangada died unmarried, Vichitrabirya wifes: Ambika & Ambalika)
Ambika, Ambalika, and her maid got baby from Rishi Vyasa as Vichitravirya was incapable
Generation 3: Dhrutarastra (son of Vyas+Ambika) wife: Gandhari,
Pandu(son of Vyas & Ambalika) wife: Kunti & Madri
Vidur (son of Vyas & maid)
Generation 4:
Dhritarastra + Gandhari had (100 sons & 1 daughter):- [Duryodhana,Dussasana,Dusaha,Jalsandha, Sam, Sudushil, Bheembal, Subahu,Sahishnu, Chitrakundal, Durdhar,Durmukh,Bindoo, Krup,Chitra, Durmad,Dushchar,Sattva, Chitraksha,Urnanabhi,Chitrabahoo, Sulochan,Sushabh,Chitravarma, Asasen,Mahabahu,Samdukkha,Mochan,Sumami,Vibasu,Vikar,Chitrasharasan,Pramah,Somvar,Man, Satyasandh, Vivas, Vikarna, Upchitra, Chitrakuntal, Bheembahu, Sund, Valaki, Upyoddha, Balavardha, Durvighna, Bheemkarmi, Upanand, Anasindhu, Somkirti, Kudpad, Ashtabahu, Ghor, Roudrakarma, Veerbahoo, Kananaa, Kudasi, Deerghbahu, Adityaketoo, Pratham, Prayaami, Veeryanad, Deerghtaal, Vikatbahoo, Drudhrath, Durmashan, Ugrashrava, Ugra, Amay, Kudbheree, Bheemrathee, Avataap, Nandak, Upanandak, Chalsandhi, Broohak, Suvaat, Nagdit, Vind, Anuvind, Arajeev, Budhkshetra, Droodhhasta, Ugraheet, Kavachee, Kathkoond, Aniket, Kunddhari, Durodhar, Shathasta, Shubhkarma, Saprapta, Dupranit, Bahudhami, Yuyutsoo, Dhanurdhar, Senanee, Veer, Pramathee, Droodhsandhee] and one daughter Dusala and
Dhritarastra + Maid Sughada/Sauvali had one son : Yuyutsu
Pandu was unable to give children because of curse of Rishi Kindama. His wife Kunti had power to get baby from gods which she shared with his another wife Madri. Both had 5 sons combined known as Pandav. [Yudhisthir(Kunti+Dharmadeva), Bhim(Kunti+Vayudev), Arjun (Kunti+Indra) and twins Nakul & Sahdev (Madri+Aswani Kumar). Draupadi was common wife of all 5 pandavs. Other personal wifes: Yudhisthir + Devika, Bhim+Hidimbi, Arjun+ (Ulupi, Chitrangada, Subhadra), Nakula+ Karenumati, Sahdeva+ Vijaya
Karna was son of Kunti and Suryadeva before her marriage with Pandu...but Karna was abondoned by her. Found and raised by Adhiratha and Radha.
Generation 5: Upa-pandavas (sons of Draupadi and 5 pandavs each) : Prativindhya (from Yudhisthir), Shatanika (from Nakul), Sutasoma (from Bhim), Shrutakarma (from Sahadev), Shrutakirti (from Arjun). All killed in the 18th night of war while sleeping by Ashwatthama.
Son of Bhim: Ghatochkach (+Ahilawati),
Sons of Arjuna: Srutakarma, Iravan, Babruvahana, and Abhimanyu (from Subadhra)
Generation 6: Barbarik (son of Ghatotkach+Ahilawati), Parikshit (son of Abhimanyu,grandson of Arjun, born after war, ultimate hair of Kingdom of Hastinapur)
Generation 7: King Janamejaya (son of Parikshit)
other :
Krishna (gen4)
Guru Doronacharya (teacher of pandav and kaurav) & his son Ashwatthama,
Guru Kripacharya (teacher of pandav and kaurav),
Sanjay (charioteer and advisor of dhritarastra),
Adhirath and Radha: foster parents of Karn (gen 4)
Drupad- son Drishtadyumna (commander of pandava army), daughter trun LGBT Shikhandi
Jarasandh-King of Maghadh,
Satyaki-disciple of Arjun-1 of 6 survivos of war in pandav side
King Salya: brother of Madri(gen 3),
Characters of Ramayana
Solay dynasty > Ikshvaku dynasty
Gen 1: King Dasarath of Ayodhya (+wifes: Kausalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra)
Gen 2: Ram + Sita (daughter of Bhumi/earth, found of king Janak)
Bharat + Mandavi
Laxman + Urmila (sister of sita)
Shatrughna (twin of laxman) + Shrutakirti
Gen 3: Lava, Kusha (sons of Rama+ Sita)
Hanuman, a vanar/monkey in Kishkindha Kingdom
Vali: vanar king of Kishkindha, killed by rama
Sugrib: brother of Vali, new king of Kishkindha, helps rama with is army
Angada: son of vali
Jatayu: a vulture who tries to resque sita from Ravana
Sampati: brother of Jatayu
Ravana: King of Lanka
Indrajit/Meghnath: Son of Ravana
Kumbhkarna: Brother of Ravana/sleep a lot
Surpanakha: Sister of Ravana