Mayura
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mayura (a Sanskrit word for peacock) is one of the sacred and highly sanctified birds of the Hindu mythology and find references in a number of Hindu scriptures.
[edit] Mythology
The legend states that the Mayur was created from the feathers of Garuda, another semi-divine mythical birds of Hindu mythology. Garuda is believed to be a vahana (conveyance) of Vishnu, one of the Trimurti. In images of the mayura as a mythical bird, it is depicted as killing a snake, which according to a number of Hindu scriptures, is a symbol of cycle of time.
[edit] Significance
Mayura is associated with a number of gods and deities of the Hindus including the following:
- It is a vahana of Sarasvati, the goddess of speech and learning.
- Goddess Kaumari is generally depicted with a mayura and mayura also serves as her conveyance.
- A mayura also serves as a conveyance of the god Karttikeya.
In general, feathers of mayur are considered sacred and are used to dust the religious images and implements of Hindus.
[edit] Reference
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola
| Hinduism | Hindu mythology | Itihasa |  |
|---|---|
| Female Deities: Saraswati | Bhuma Devi Lakshmi | Parvati | Durga | Kali | Sita | Mariamman|Radha |Gayatri | more... | |
| Male Deities: Vishnu | Shiva | Brahma| Rama | Krishna | Ganesha | Kartikeya | Hanuman | Ayyappan | more... | |
| Texts: Vedas | Upanishads | Puranas | Ramayana | Mahabharata | |
