Gods and Goddesses of Buddhism and Hinduism

	VAJRANANGA This form of Manjushree bearing the image of Akshyobhya on the crown is known as Vajrananga. He is worshipped in the Tantric rite of bewitching men and women. His complexion is yellow. He is in the prime of youth and bears the image of Akshyobha on his crown. The two principal hands hold the fully expanded bow. The four remaining hands carry the sword and the looking glass in the right hands, while the two left hands carry the lotus and the Asoka bough with the red flowers.
	HAYAGRIVA Hayagriva is also one of the main archetype deities of Nyingma Order. He is one of the emanation of Bidhisattwa Avalokiteswar in terrific form. He has many forms often with three faces, six arms, and four legs, and sometimes with huge wings. He can be recognised by a small horse head surmounted on the top of his main terrific head and gives him his name Hayagriva. "Horse necked one". The horse head neighs very loudly and the sound is said to pierce all the false appearance inherent existence of substantial reality. His hair is disheveled and protruding from the horse head. He wears a crown of skulls and under a belt of heads hangs a tiger skin. His symbols are the thunderbolt, trident lasso etc.
	ASTAMANGALA (The Eight Auspicious Signs) White parasal, two fishes, Sankha, Dhvaja, Srivatsa, Kalasa, Padma, Chamaru are called Astamangal or The eight Auspicious and glorious emblems. These appear all together or singly as a frequent decorative motif in stone, wood, metal and painting. These are believed to represent the gifts given by celestial beings to Sakyamuni on his attainment of Enlightenment of Buddhahood. The white parasal protects one from evil desires. The two fishes Symbolizing beings rescued from the ocean of misery of earth existence. Sankha, the white conch-shell, symbolizes the blessedness of turning to the right and proclaim the glory of the saints by its humming sound. Dhvaka, the banner signifies the victory of Buddhism. Srivatsa, endless knot or mystic diagram, symbolizes of the endless cycle of rebirth. Kalasa, the vase; treasury of all spiritual wealth and it also helds amrita the water elixir immortality Padma symbolizes of Purity. Chamaru, fly-whisk; symbolizes Tantric manifestations, it is made of yak tail attached with silver staff, it is used during ritual recitation and fanning the deities on an auspicious religious ceremony. These eight auspicious symbols usually displayed during the performance of vrata ceremonies, consecration of house and an elaborate Fire sacrifice ceremony marked on paper, cloth or metal.
	NIRVAN BUDDHA Buddha entering into Nirvan in Kusinagar in 543 B.C. in reclining posture after 45 years of untiring efforts in preaching the path to emancipation from the bondage of suffering i.e. Birth, Old Age, Disease and Death. Three months before the full moon of the month of Magh, he had announced to the Bhikhhus in Vaisali that he was relinguishing his will to live as his body was already wornout and he would enter into Nirvana in Kushinagar on Bhaisakh Full Moon Day.