The eight Matrikas riding different vahanas like (top row, second from left to right) Garuda, a peacock, Nandi bull, a hamsa (goose/swan); (bottom row, from left) buffalo, elephant and lion

Vāhana (वाहन, skt. that which carries, that which pulls) denotes the being, typically an animal or mythical entity, a particular deva is said to use as a vehicle. In this capacity, the vāhana is often called the deity's mount. Upon the partnership between the deva and his vāhana is woven much iconography and mythology. Often, the deva is iconographically depicted riding (or simply mounted upon) the vāhana. Other times, the vāhana is depicted at the deity's side or symbolically represented as a divine attribute. The vāhana may be considered an accoutrement^[1] of the deity: though the vāhana may act independently, they are still functionally emblematic or even syntagmatic of their "rider". The deva (or devī, who will have her own, unique vāhana) may be seen sitting or on, or standing on, the vāhana. They may be sitting on a small platform called a howdah, or riding on a saddle or bareback.^[2] Vah in Sanskrit means to carry or to transport.

Symbolism[link]

In Hindu iconography, positive aspects of the vehicle are often emblematic of the deity that it carries. Nandi the bull, vehicle of Shiva, represents strength and virility. Parvani the peacock, vehicle of Skanda, represents splendor and majesty. The hamsa, vehicle of Saraswati, represents wisdom, grace and beauty.

However, the vehicle animal also symbolizes the evil forces over which the deity dominates. Mounted on Parvani, Skanda reins in the peacock's vanity. Seated on Mushika, Ganesh crushes useless thoughts, which multiply like rats in the dark. Shani, protector of property, has a vulture, raven or crow in which he represses thieving tendencies. Under Shani's influence, the vahana can make even malevolent events bring hope.

Origin folklore[link]

The vehicle of a deity can vary according to the source, the time, and the place. In popular tradition, the origin of each vehicle is told in thousands of different ways. Three examples:

• While Ganesh was still a child, a giant mouse began to terrorize all his friends. Ganesh trapped him with his lasso and made him his mount. Mushika was originally a gandharva, or celestial musician. After absentmindedly walking over the feet of a rishi (wise man) named Vamadeva, Mushika was cursed and transformed into a mouse. However, after the rishi recovered his temper, he promised Mushika that one day, the gods themselves would bow down before him. This came to pass when Mushika's path crossed Ganesh's.

• Before becoming the vehicle of Shiva, Nandi was a deity called Nandikeshvara, lord of joy and master of music and dance. Then, without warning, his name and his functions were transferred to the aspect of Shiva known as the deity Nataraja. From half-man, half-bull, he became simply a bull. Since that time, he has watched over each of Shiva's temples, always looking towards him.

• Murugan, the first form of Skanda in Southern India, is also mounted on a peacock. This peacock was originally a demon called Surapadma, while the rooster was called the angel[Krichi]. After provoking Murugan in combat, the demon repented at the moment his lance descended upon him. He took the form of a tree and began to pray. The tree was cut in two. From one half, Murugan pulled a rooster, which he made his emblem, and from the other, a peacock, which he made his mount. In another version, Lord Karthikeyan, son of Mother Parvathi and Lord Shiva (and elder brother of Lord Ganesha) was born to kill the demon, Tarakasura. He was raised by the Kritthikas and led the divine armies when he was 6 days old. It is unique to him that he is the only god to be worshipped alongside his enemy, Tarakasura. It is said that after defeating Tarakasura, the Lord forgave him and transformed him into his ride, the peacock. So, whenever we offer flowers to the Lord, a transformed Tarakasura also stands addressed.

Origin theories[link]

The vahana and deity to which they support are in a reciprocal relationship. Vahana serve and are served in turn by those who engage them. Many vahana may also have divine powers or a divine history of their own. Case in point, the aforementioned Nataraja story, represents a conflation of Hindu gods with local gods, syncretizing their mythos as their territories began to overlap. According to one source, "they could be a synthesis between Vedic deities and autochthonous Dravidian totemic deities.^{[citation needed]}

Compared to other belief systems[link]

The animal correspondences of Hindu vehicles are not consistent with Greek and Roman mythology, or other belief systems which may tie a particular animal to a particular deity. For example, the goddess Lakshmi of the Hindus has elephants, or an owl, or (a rare instance of a non-animal vehicle) the lotus blossom as her vehicle. The goddess Athena of ancient Greece also had an owl as her emblematic familiar, but the meanings invested in the owls by the two different belief systems are not the same, nor are the two goddesses themselves similar, despite their mutual identification with owls.

Lakshmi is, among other things, primarily the goddess of wealth, and her owl is a warning against distrust and isolationism, even selfishness. Athena, though also a goddess of prosperity, is primarily the goddess of wisdom, and her owl symbolizes secret knowledge and scholarship. Perhaps due to their shared geography, the Greco-Roman interpretation is paralleled in Roman Catholic iconography, in which St. Jerome, most famed for editing the New Testament, is often (though not always) depicted with an owl as a symbol of wisdom and scholarship.^[3] Depending on the tribe, Native American religious iconography attributes a wide range of attributes to the owl, both positive and negative, as do the Ainu and Russian cultures, but none parallel the Hindu attributes assigned to the owl as Lakshmi's divine vehicle.^[4]

Some hold that similar analyses could be performed cross-culturally for any of the other Hindu divine vehicles, and in each case, any parallels with the values assigned to animal totems in other cultures are likely to be either coincidence, or inevitable (as in linking bulls to fertility), rather than evidence of parallel development. In dialectic, this is countered by the retort that each totem or vahana, as an aspect of ishta-devata (or an ishta-devata or asura in its own right), has innumerable ineffable teachings, insights and spiritual wisdom; comparative analysis yields benefit, though knowledge and understanding is not served by collapsing their qualities into homogenous signification.

List of Vahanas[link]

Vahana	Deities associated	Image
Mouse / shrew named Mushika	Ganesha (pictured)
Horse	Budha, Revanta, Chandra (chariot of 10 white horses), Indra (chariot pulled by a horse named Uchchaihshravas - pictured), Surya (chariot pulled by seven horses or a seven-headed horse), Kubera, Kalki.
Garuda (pictured)	Vishnu, Krishna, Vaishnavi.
Ram	Agni (pictured), Chandra (chariot of 10 rams).
Nandi bull (pictured)	Shiva, Parvati, Maheshvari.
Peacock	Murugan (peacock named Parvani, pictured), Sarasvati,[5] Kaumari
Dog	Bhairava (a form of Shiva pictured with dog in background), Hadkai Maa
Hamsa (bird) or goose or swan (pictured)	Brahma, Sarasvati,[2] Brahmani, Hingraj Mata
Makara	Ganga, Varuna (pictured), Kama
Tiger (a form of the Vahana, Dawon)	Ayyappan, Durga or Parvati (pictured),
Lion (a form of the Vahana, Dawon)	Durga or Parvati, Rahu (blue or black lion), Jagaddhatri (pictured).
Elephant	Lakshmi,[2][6] Indra (elephant named Airavata, pictured), Indrani, Brihaspati.
Parrot	Kama
Antelope	Chandra (chariot of), Vayu (pictured)
Water Buffalo	Yama (pictured), Varahi, Vihot Mata
Cat[7]	Shashti
Donkey	Kaalratri, Shitala (pictured), Kali (demon)
Owl	Lakshmi[2][6] (pictured with the owl on her right), Chamunda
Eagle	Ketu
Vulture	Shani[8]
Crow	Shani, Alakshmi, Dhumavati (pictured)
Tortoise	Yamuna (pictured standing on it), Varuna
Cockerel	Bahuchara Mata
Cow	Ushas (chariot of seven cows)	-
Snake	Kamakhya, Manasa (picture)
Pigeon	Rati	-
Goats	Pushan (chariot of)	-
Crocodile (named as Makara	Shukra, Varuna (pictured)
Camel	Momai Maa (aka Dashaa Maa), Ushtravahini Devi, Kalyana Anajaneya	-
Man	Kubera

These correspondences are not always consistent. Ganesh, for example, is sometimes shown with a peacock as his vehicle, although a peacock is the customary vehicle of his brother Skanda (also known as Kartikeya and other names) as well as the vehicle sometimes associated with the goddess Saraswati. Even more rarely, the elephant-bodied Ganesh maybe seen riding another elephant, or a lion, or a many-headed serpent.^[9]

As the assistant of a deity, the vahana serves the function of doubling his or her powers. Durga the warrior could not have destroyed the demon Mahishasura without the aid of her vehicle, Manashthala the lion. Lakshmi, goddess of fortune, dispenses both material and spiritual riches from her mount, Uluka the owl. Ganesh, remover of obstacles, cannot go everywhere despite his elephant-like strength. However, his vehicle, Mushika the mouse or Ulaka the rat, can slide into the smallest crevice and overcome the greatest obstacles.

See also[link]

• Hindu deities
• Hindu iconography
• Hindu mythology
• List of Hindu deities

Notes[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Vahana

• Holy Vehicles, an illustrated list. Accessed August 10, 2007.
• Karthikeyan / Subramanian Riding His Peacock Accessed August 10, 2007.
• Hindu Deities and Their Vehicles, a partial list at About.Com. Accessed August 10, 2007.
• Symbolism of the Vehicles of Gods and Goddesses. Accessed August 10, 2007.

v t e Hindu deities and texts Gods Deva Ganesha Brahma Vishnu Shiva Rama Krishna Murugan Hanuman Indra Surya more Goddesses Adi parashakti Devi Saraswati Lakshmi Sati Parvati Durga Shakti Kali Sita Radha Mahavidya Navadurga Matrikas more Texts Vedas Upanishads Puranas Ramayana Mahabharata Bhagavad Gita more Hinduism Hindu mythology

Shanmukhapriya and Haripriya (Telugu: షణ్ముఖప్రియ, హరిప్రియ), popularly known as the Priya Sisters, are eminent Carnatic music singers.^[1]

Early life[link]

They hail originally from Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh.They started learning Carnatic music from their father Sri V.V.Subba Ram at an early age.In order to nurture their musical talent, their father shifted base to Chennai. Later they became the disciples of the renowned duo Radha and Jayalakshmi who were disciples of the legendary G. N. Balasubramaniam. They learnt many nuances and subtleties of music during the five-year tenure under them including the advice that the singing should be so clear that the listener should be able to notate the entire kriti.^[2]

Career[link]

Improving their repertoire was a major project and learning, a continuous process. Hence they joined Professor T.R.Subramaniam. They learnt many pallavis and kritis from him.Currently, Shanmukhapriya and Haripriya are under the guidance of T. R. Subramaniam.

They are part of the trend of duo singing in Carnatic music, which started in the 1950s, with performers like Radha Jayalakshmi, Soolamangalam Sisters and later continued by Bombay Sisters^[3]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official site
• Artist Profiles : Shanmukha Priya and Hari Priya
• [1]
• [2]
• [3]
• [4]
• [5]
• [6]
• [7]
• [8]
• [9]
• [10]

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2008)

Papanasam Sivan (Tamil: பாபநாசம் சிவன்) (September 26, 1890 - October 10, 1973) was a prominent composer of Carnatic music and a singer.

A famous composer, Sivan was also known as Tamil Thyagayya. Using Classical South Indian as a base, Sivan created numerous hits popularised by M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and M. S. Subbulakshmi.

Early years[link]

Papanasam Sivan's early years were spent in the Travancore area of Kerala where the kings patronised fine arts. He was born at Polagam Village in the district of Thanjavur, which was home to the illustrious musical trinity of Carnatic music. His given name was Ramaiya. In 1897, when Ramaiya was just 7, his father died. His mother Yogambal, along with her sons, left Thanjavur and moved to Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, where her brother-in-law was a Ramayana Sastri in the renowned Padmanabha Swamy Temple. At Thiruvananthapuam, Ramaiya learned Malayalam and Sanskrit and later earned a degree in grammar.

Ramaiya was very religious, and with death of his mother in Yogambal when he was 20, became even more so. He wandered from place to place visiting temples and singing devotional songs. Ramaiya used to be an active participant in the devotional music sessions at the home of Neelakandasivan in Thiruvananthapuram. Thus he learned many of the musical compositions of Neelakandasivan. In this period, his wanderings would take him regularly to the temple at Papanasam, where he would smear bhasma all over his body. Hence people began to refer him as Papanasam Sivan, the name by which he was to become well known later.

He picked up his first music lessons from Noorani Mahadeva Bhagavatar, son of Parameswara Bhagavatar. Later he became the disciple of Konerirajapuram Vaidyanath Iyer, a well-known musician, under whose tutelage Sivan blossomed into a consummate artiste that he was.

In spite of his deep knowledge of music, Papanasam Sivan was more interested in the devotional aspect of music. He preferred to sing devotional songs and encouraged other singers take part in sessions of devotional music with him. Papanasam Sivan was a regular in all the major temple festivals in South India with his devotional songs.

Later in 1962 Papanasam Sivan received the President award.

Family[link]

Ramaiya (Papanasam Sivan) has a daughter Dr.Rukmani Ramani who is a leading Carnatic Musician in Chennai. Ashok Ramani who is his grandson is also a successful Carnatic Musician. Another daughter by name Nila Ramamurthy also composes Carnatic music. He had an elder brother Rajagopal Iyer whose daughter V. N. Janaki was an actress and wife of former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Rajagopal Iyer also had a son P. Narayanan who was a great educationist in Chennai.

Sri Papansam Kumjumani Bhagavathar, Sri Papanasam Ramani Bhagavathar,Smt Radha Kalyanaraman(Vocalist), Sri Papanasam Kumar (Mrudangist), Master Sankaranarayanan R (Mrudangist), Master Gokul Kumar (Violinist), Kum. Sruthi Kumar (Vocalist and Veena player), Kum. Anita Sivaraman (Dancer) are noted artists who are grand/great-grandsons and grand/great-grand daughters of Sri Rajagopala Iyer.

Compositions[link]

Notes[link]

See also[link]

• List of Carnatic composers

Gayatri Asokan (born March 3, 1978) is a playback singer who works mainly in Malayalam Cinema. Apart from singing, she also composes music for albums and jingles. She is well trained in Bhajans and Hindustani and ghazals.

Background[link]

An M. A in Literature, Gayatri Asokan is the daughter of two doctors from Thrissur - Dr. P. U. Asokan and Dr. K. S. Sunidhy. She started her playback career with the song "Deena Dayalo Rama" for the film "Arayannagalude Veedu" under music director Raveendran. "Enthe Nee Kanna" for "Sasneham Sumitra" won her the Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer in 2003. Her memorable hits include "Chanjadi Adi" from Makalkku, & "Thumbikkinnaram" from Naran and "Pularumo" from Ritu.^[1]

Career[link]

Gayathri was first trained in Carnatic music by Sri Mangat Natesan and Sri Vamanan Namboodiri at Trichur. Later she started training in Hindustani Music under "Dr. Alka Deo Marulkar" in Pune and later under "Pandit Vinayaka Torvi" in Bangalore which she is continuing. A person who has influenced Gayatri a lot is Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. She is an active member of the Art of living foundation.

She is also a Hindustani classical music singer, a Bhajan singer and has given Hindustani concerts and programs based on film songs abroad. She has sung in many Albums and has also sung and given music for a new Album for the Art of Living foundation which was released in September 2006 by HMV worldwide. She has also shared the stage with eminent singers like S.P.Balasubramanyam, Yesudas, Jayachandran, S. Janaki, Shankar Mahadevan, Madhu Balakrishnan and Pradip Somasundaran. She recently sang for a music album of music maestro Ilayaraja, Thiruvasagam which was released by Sony Music.

Other Activities[link]

She has performed for established sabhas like Thyagaraja Sabha, Bharatham and "Soorya Festival" at Trivandrum. She also has given performances for Soorya in the Gulf Countries, Malaysia, Europe & the UK. She also performs regularly on Asianet, Kairali T.V, Jeevan T.V, and Amrita TV. "Gandharva Sangeetham" a popular Music Talent search show on Kairali T. V was jointly hosted by her and G. Venugopal.Gayatri is a jury member for the hit reality show Super Star Global on Amrita TV.

Personal life[link]

A devotee of His Holiness Sri Ravishankar, Gayathri is an active participant in Art of Living's Satsangs all over the world.

Film Songs[link]

^[2]

Albums[link]

1. Anahata- Art of Living
2. Neeyum Nilavum- Manorama Music
3. Thiruvasagam -Sony Music
4. Vishudhi- Art of Living
5. Sarveshwari- Art of Living
6. Iniyennum _ East Coast
7. Pranayathhin Ormakal
8. Ghazals by Umbayi
9. Palanivel
10. Smaran - Art of Living
11. Sankirtan - Art of Lving
12. Chants for workplaces - Kedar Pandit

Awards[link]

1. Kerala State Film Award (2003) - Enthe Nee Kanna - Sasneham Sumitra
2. 2007 Art of Living award for Outstanding Women Achievers

References[link]

External links[link]

• www.gayatriasokan.info
• [1]
• A Devoted singer: Webpage
• Gayatri to perform in Raveendran Night at Swaralaya-2006
• The Hindu Article
• Gayatri-M-Pod Interview
• The Hindu Interview