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Hindu Gods Family Tree: Who is Who?

By Andy Watkins

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Before getting into this family tree, get one thing clear. Hinduism, or santana-dharma, is over 5000 years old. It is a faith that defies conventional notions of religion. There is no singular scripture and no singular founder or prophet.

There is not even a consensus on what the actual goal followers of the faith should have. Each branch or sect has its own understanding of what that goal is and should look like. The Rig Veda, one of the earliest known Hindu scriptures, explains this by saying ‘The truth is one but the wise speak of it in many ways.’

What is consistent across various sects and lineages is the multitude of deities. Not everyone agrees on who is higher but they all accept the same set of deities.

For the sake of having a clear graph, this family tree is closely aligned with the Shakta sects who hold the Divine Mother or Devi as the highest. With that in mind, let’s get into who these deities are and their relationships with each other.

This family tree infographic was created by the artist Korwin Briggs, and he very kindly let me use it on this website. He has a book on world mythology which I thoroughly recommend and you can find it on Amazon.

Who Are the Most Important Gods in the Hindu Mythology Family Tree?

1. Devi

It’s important to note that Hinduism is commonly believed to be pantheists, meaning followers believe that there are many distinct gods and the same playing field. While some sects do abide by that, for a vast majority of Hindus panentheistic is a more appropriate term. This means that they believe in one god and that god manifests in a variety of forms. With that in mind, this family tree positions Devi, or Divine Mother, as that deity. According to Shakta sects, Devi is the primordial deity, the original form, and the one every other deity comes from. 

Throughout the Hindu scriptures, Devi has taken on numerous forms and personalities. As Lakshmi, she is the bestower of wealth and abundance in both material and spiritual matters. As Saraswati, she is the goddess of music, creativity, art, and knowledge. As Kali, she is a fierce warrior, the remover of the ego, and fiercely protective of those who worship her.

Enter sets of scripture are dedicated to her the most notable of which is the Devi Mahamyam which describes goddess Durga winning the battle of good and evil against the demon Mahishura. 

2. The Trimurti

Hinduism abides by cyclical time rather than linear time. The cycle starts with something called srishti or creation, creation goes through many phases called yugas, before it is all destroyed in a process called pralaya, and then starts all over again. This cycle is believed to be upheld by the Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Each of these deities is tasked with upholding their part.

Brahma is tasked with the phase of creation. Vishnu sustains all that has been created as it goes through its many yugas and when it is time, Shiva comes along to destroy it all. 

While Vishnu and Shiva both have many sects and lineages built in worship of them, Brahma does not. In fact, two of the five most common sects are Vaishnavism, those who worship Vishnu as the highest, and Shaivism, those who worship Shiva as the highest. Brahma has received no such glory or prestige. 

3. The Dashavatar

Dash means ten. So dashavatar is ten incarnations. In this specific context, the dashavatar refers to the ten primary incarnations of Vishnu. According to the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu text, Vishnu or God incarnates from ‘age to age to establish dharma, uplift the world, and destroy evil.’ The Srimad Bhagavatam, another sacred Hindu text, tells the stories of these incarnations and their devotees. In some incarnations of Vishnu, Devi also comes with him. 

Form of VishnuForm of DeviGeneral Story or Purpose of Incarnation
MatsyaMatsya was the fish avatar who come at the end of the last cycle of creation to preserve a select few and prepare them for the new cycle of creation. 
KurmaLakshmiKurma is the tortoise avatar who held up the mountain as the devas and asuras attempted to use it to churn the milky ocean. From the ocean, Lakshmi came as one of the many gifts that arose in their pursuit of amrit, divine nectar. 
VarahaBhu-deviVaraha is the boar avatar who came to rescue Bhu-devi, Mother Earth, from sinking under the weight of negativity from asuras or demons who lived on her.
NarasimhaNarasimha is the lion-headed deity who killed the demon Hiryanakashipu. He is said to be the protector of devotees and the remover of anger.
VamanaVamana is the dwarf avatar who came to rid the world of the demon Bali.
ParusharamWhen the warrior caste, the Kshatriyas, became corrupt, Parausharam came to rid the world of them and their corruption. 
RamaSitaRama was said to be the upholder of dharma or righteous living. As a husband and ruler, he came to demonstrate proper living and accepting one’s duty and place in life.
KrishnaRukminiKrishna is often seen as a prem-avatar, an avatar of Divine Love. His incarnation was primarily about leading devotees to bhakti or the expression of faith through devotional, loving practice. 
BuddhaAccepted by many Vaishnavas as an avatar. He came to provide Buddhism to the world. 
Kalki**Not on the family tree. Kalki is said to be the next avatar to come.

4. Hanuman

Hanuman is believed to be an incarnation of Shiva who manifested as the son of Vayu, the wind god. He is also the servant of Rama. In the Ramayana, the Hindu scripture that tells of his story, Hanuman is presented as the perfect devotee and the perfect servant. It is believed that his mission or role is to support followers in achieving their ultimate religious or spiritual goal.

5. The Demi Gods

The demigods are a sub-category of deities or divine beings that are tasked with controlling certain aspects of the created world. They are believed to reside in a realm called svarloka and are ruled by the god of the rain and sky, Indra. 

Indra appears throughout the Srimad Bhagavatam as a being with pride that Vishnu (or one of his many incarnations) needs to humble. Other demigods include Vayu, the wind god, Surya, the sun god, and Chandra, the moon god.

About Andy Watkins

I have always been interested in mythology. From a very early age in Britain, I was known to sit at the breakfast table reading encyclopedias about many of the major world mythologies. Learn more about MythNerd's Editorial Process.