Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma is the eternal universal religion of the Upanisads, the Bhagwatgita, the Brahmasutra and the Bhagavat Purana which India (Bharata) has introduced for the people of the whole world. It is the religion that eternally exists in God, and revealed by the God Himself it represents the true path of God realization for all the souls of the universe. This is infact path of spiritual discipline. Millions of ordinary Hindus have faith in gods and goddesses and venerate them for fulfilment of their practical necessities in lives. Hindus are lucky to possess rich heritage of scriptures. Various modes of worship and ways of meditation for various gods prevail in this country to suit the needs of the votaries. The variety of Hindu gods and goddesses are the doorways which lead to One Godhead --sat-cit-ananda i.e. truth, consciousness and bliss. The Vedas truly proclaim- Truth is One, sages call it by different names' -- एकं सद् विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति. The present book is an endeavour in this direction to introduce the devout persons with the major Hindu gods and goddesses worshipped in Indin and abroad.

J.L. GUPTA (b. 1958-) with brilliant academic career, obtained P.G. Dip. in Book-Publishing (Spld. Editing) from the College of Vocational Studies, University of Delhi in 1985 securing first division. Mr. Gupta has been keenly involved with the editorial activities of books for more than two decades. He has edited and translated several books besides writing certain articles for journals. He is well conversant with the nuances in writing, editing and production of books and has more than ten books to his credit. Some of his edited and translated works are: Challenges to the Indian Women; Jaina Yoga Meditation in Light of Yogabindu; Hanuman-Chalisa; Shrisuktam; Hymns of Lord Shiva: Hymns of Shri Krishna; Hymns and Prayers of Goddess Durga; A Dictionary of Administrative and Legislative Terms etc. His areas of interest are Yoga, Indian Culture and Philosophy and Spiritual Studies. Currently he is engaged in writing, editing and translation of religious books in a series.

Belief in god with pure heart is the fisrt requisite to understand the divinity. Indian saints and sages had got the vision of the Supreme Lord in the very recess of their heart. They were masterminds and propagated the glory of the Supreme Reality as the sole mission of their life.

In writing the present book, I take this privilege to express my heart-felt gratefulness to my Lord Who I think stood by me to accomplish this task. Though I had been toiling with this idea for quite a long time, the opportunity ultimately came and I feel my years' long spiritual efforts born fruits in consummation of the present book.

As a Sadhaka practicing Yoga, say my Puja, for now the spiritual awakening seems to have ingrained in my blood right from my childhood days. I should not be disloyal to my first school preceptor who kindly sowed the first seed in my mind at the level of my fifth standard schooling. I will remain indebted to him till the last breath of my life.

And when I was asked to write this book on Hindu Gods and Goddesses I don't know it was a total denial to my own self. How could I take up this project? What an ordinary person like me could pen down on such a tough topic? But saying 'yes' was my compulsion. First, I was delighted from the very bottom of my heart that I had got the best opportunity of my life to dwell on a theme of my taste. Now that I have been asked to write I will have to go for deeper study of the scriptures and cull down the material for the book which will definitely benefit me in my spiritual quest and day to day practice. Secondly, I will be able to meet the demands of my family whatever the meager amount I get out of this several years' toiling endeavors and constant thinking.

S anatana Dharma is the eternal universal religion enshrined in the ancient Scriptures like Vedas, the Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita and the Puranas. Enriched with magnificent literature of anciency, this eternal Dharma of India was introduced for the people of the whole world. Whereas most of the religions of the world have been propagated by one or the other spiritual master Sanatana Dharma was not introduced by any prophet, messenger or saint, as there may be possibility of dominating some particular thought in a religion if introduced by some human person. In fact, it is a Dharma that eternally exists in God, and revealed by the God Himself it represents the true path of God- realization for all the souls of the universe. Ever since the very origin of the creation, Sanatana Dharma is the arrangement where the paths are laid down to go across this creation and to realize its Creator. Indians are lucky to possess rich heritage of Scriptures. Various modes of worship and ways of meditation for gods and goddesses prevail in this country to suit the needs of votaries. Millions of people in this country have faith in gods and goddesses and venerate them for fulfillment of their necessities.

In the very beginning of the physical universe, the gods of the heaven and the demons of the lower world were exercising over who would hold infinite power and why. When they came to know that the divine substance, Amrita (nector) lay at the bottom of the ocean of milk (Kshirasagara) they decided to churn the ocean jointly and get the elixir out. The Samudramanthana (churning of the ocean) was done with Mt. Mandara as the axle and Vasuki the snake as the rope. Several valuables emerged out of the churning and finally there was the jar of the nector. On the request of gods Lord Vishnu enticed the demons in the guise of Mohini, and having obtained the potion, fled with it until the demons chased Mohini who was ultimately able to serve the nector to gods enchanting the demons.