Why do Indian gods usually have many arms?

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The many arms of the Indian gods symbolize their many qualities. “In the representation of their myths, cultures resort to various means to refer to the power, strength and energy of their gods. In the case of Indian gods with several arms, the strategy is to fix traces of great activity in the area that each one represents”, says linguist Carlos Alberto da Fonseca, from the University of São Paulo (USP). The goddess Sarasvatî, for example, is related to the world of arts and holds objects in her four hands that recall the artistic multiplicity she represents.

– Why is the cow sacred in India?

The god Shiva, in one of the narratives about Creation, builds the world by dancing, setting the rhythm with both feet while producing reality with the gestures of his four arms. Normally, he has two objects in his hands: a small drum (which represents the passage of time) and a flame (eternity). The other two arms give the impression of a dancer’s own movement. The fingers of one hand point upwards, symbolizing a protective character, while the fingers of the other point towards the ground, representing Shiva’s charity.