Indra is the main god of the Vedas, a hard-drinking, swaggering warrior who rides his solar chariot across the sky and wields the thunderbolt. As a storm god he brings the rain to fertilize India's parched soil.
Mitra and Varuna maintain the cosmic order. Mitra, the sun, presides over contracts and friendship, while Varuna, the moon, supervises oaths. Like Indra, these gods reflect the values of the warrior caste.
Agni is the priest's god of fire. He presides at the altar and hearth, exists as lightning, and blazes at the heart of the sun.
Brihaspati is the god of incantation and ritual, the personification of priestly magic.
Soma is both a narcotic plant and a god who gives inspiration, liberates men, and represents the principle of life.
Savitar is the god of motion, and whatever moves or acts is dependent on this deity with golden eyes, hands, and tongues.
Ushas is the beautiful, charming goddess of the dawn, a source of delight to all living creatures.
Puchan brings all things into relationship, blessing marriage, providing food, guiding travelers, and ushering the dead.
Siva is the terrifying god of destruction, a deity so formidable that people must flatter him to avert calamity.
Kali is Siva's wife, a bloodthirsty fertility goddess decorated with emblems of death.
Prajapati is the master of created beings, the father of gods and demons, and the protector of those who procreate.
The Devas and Asuras are gods and demons, respectively, and battle each other with magical powers.
The Rakshas are evil semi-divine creatures that practice black magic and afflict men with misfortune.
