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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n1. Hanuman – India and Thailand<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Hindu mythology, we find Hanuman, the commander of the monkey army, as narrated in the Ramayana, the great Sanskrit poem detailing Rama\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his youth, Hanuman, born to a nymph and the wind god, attempted to seize the Sun, mistaking it for a fruit. Indra, the king of gods, responded by striking Hanuman on the jaw with a thunderbolt. Owing to his persistent misbehavior, powerful sages cursed Hanuman to forget his magical abilities, such as flying and infinite size, until reminded of them. Guided by Jambavan, the king of bears, Hanuman led the monkeys in aiding Rama, an incarnation of the god Vishnu, in rescuing his wife Sita from the demon Ravana, the king of Lanka (not necessarily present-day Sri Lanka). Reminded of his powers, Hanuman leaped across the strait between India and Lanka, overcoming attempts by watery demonesses to obstruct him. Discovered in Lanka, his tail was set ablaze, but he used the fire to burn down the city. Hanuman also flew to the Himalayas, returning with a mountain of medicinal herbs to heal Rama\u2019s wounded army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hanuman is venerated in temples dedicated to Rama or in shrines dedicated specifically to him. In temples across India, Hanuman is depicted as a monkey with a red face, standing upright like a human. His devotion and service to Rama make Hanuman a revered model for human devotion (bhakti).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
in India<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
in Thailand<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n2. S\u016bn W\u00f9 K\u014dng – China<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s move to another monkey. On the Mountain Huaguo, a rock undergoes a mystical transformation and is shaped by the winds into S\u016bn W\u00f9k\u014dng, a monkey imbued with supernatural powers. He leads a tribe of monkeys and finds refuge in the Cave of the Water Curtain. S\u016bn W\u00f9k\u014dng joyfully rules as Monkey King over the monkeys until the awareness of his mortality prompts a quest for immortality. He masters numerous magic spells by training under a Buddhist patriarch. When the Ten Judges of the Dead arrive, S\u016bn W\u00f9k\u014dng resists, successfully erasing his and the monkeys’ names from the Book of Life and Death. The Kings of Heaven report his misdeeds to the Jade Emperor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When assigned as the Keeper of the Heavenly Horses on Mount P\u00e9ngl\u00e1i, S\u016bn W\u00f9k\u014dng rebels upon realizing the insignificance of this position. Proclaiming himself \u2018Great Sage, Equal of Heaven\u2019 he forces the gods to acknowledge this title after a prolonged battle. Appointed as the guardian of X\u012b W\u00e1ng M\u01d4’s heavenly peach garden, S\u016bn W\u00f9k\u014dng rebels again when excluded from a crucial banquet. He steals X\u012b W\u00e1ng M\u01d4’s peaches of immortality, Lao Tzu’s pills of longevity, and the Jade Emperor\u2019s royal wine, consuming them all. Returning to the Cave of the Water Curtain, he faces an attack from the Army of Heaven and defeats them, including Erlang Shen, heaven’s greatest general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Buddha intervenes by trapping S\u016bn W\u00f9k\u014dng in a mountain, sealed with the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum. He remains there until Gu\u0101ny\u012bn makes him a disciple of the Buddhist monk Xu\u00e1nz\u00e0ng. Accompanying Xu\u00e1nz\u00e0ng on the journey to retrieve sutras from India, S\u016bn W\u00f9k\u014dng alternates between protecting his companions and causing mischief. Ultimately, S\u016bn W\u00f9k\u014dng attains enlightenment, transforming into a Buddha and achieving the immortality he sought for so long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
in China<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
in China<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n3. Durga \u2013 India, Nepal<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Durga, a prominent Hindu goddess, holds a revered position as a primary aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. She embodies qualities associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and warfare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The legend of Durga revolves around her valiant efforts to combat evil and demonic forces that pose threats to peace, prosperity, and dharma, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Durga, believed to unleash divine wrath against the wicked for the liberation of the oppressed, brings about destruction to pave the way for creation. She is viewed as a maternal figure, often portrayed as a beautiful woman riding a lion or tiger, adorned with multiple arms, each wielding a weapon, and frequently vanquishing demons. This depiction underscores her role as a symbol of strength and protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Devotees of the goddess-centric sect, Shaktism, hold Durga in high regard, and her significance extends to other denominations such as Shaivism and Vaishnavism. The primary texts of Shaktism, namely Devi Mahatmya and Devi Bhagavata Purana, venerate Devi (the Goddess) as the primal creator of the universe and the embodiment of Brahman, the ultimate truth and reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Durga commands a substantial following in Hindu communities across India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Her worship is particularly prominent after the spring and autumn harvests (approximately April and October\/November), coinciding with the festivals of Durga Puja, Durga Ashtami, Vijayadashami, Deepavali, and Navaratri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
in India<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
in Nepal<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n4. Garuda – Southeast Asia<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Hindu mythology, Garuda is portrayed as either a kite or an eagle, and functions as the mount (vahana) for the god Vishnu. The Rigveda draws a parallel between the sun and a bird during its journey across the sky, symbolizing the flight of the eagle carrying the ambrosial soma plant from heaven to earth. According to the Mahabharata, Garuda’s mythological origin identifies him as the younger sibling of Aruna, the charioteer of the sun god Surya. Garuda’s mother, Vinata, who is known as the mother of birds, was deceived into becoming the slave of her sister and co-wife, Kadru, the mother of nagas (serpents). The enduring hostility between birds, particularly Garuda, and serpents stems from this deception. To secure Vinata’s release, the nagas demanded that Garuda obtain the elixir of immortality, the amrita, or soma, for them. Garuda accomplished this task, granting snakes the ability to shed their old skin. On his return from the heavens, he encountered Vishnu and agreed to serve as both his vehicle and emblem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Descriptions of Garuda vary; one text portrays him as emerald-colored, with the beak of a kite, roundish eyes, golden wings, and four arms, with the breast, knees, and legs of a kite. Additionally, anthropomorphic depictions present him with wings and hawklike features. Two of his hands are clasped in adoration (anjali mudra), while the other two carry an umbrella and the pot of amrita. At times, Vishnu is depicted riding on Garuda’s shoulders. Devotees of Vishnu utilize images of Garuda to signify their affiliations, and images the Garuda are found on coins, amulets and medallions from India, Thailand and Indonesia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n