What is the significance of the choice of vehicles (Vaahanas) like mouse, bull, lion, garuda etc for different deities?
Answer to this can be given either from an anthropological or a theological standpoints. The anthropological standpoint looks upon these gods and their vehicles as pre-Aryan tribal gods who had their own totems. They were slowly incorporated into the Vedic Aryan pantheon. Most of these gods have their origins in the Puraanas, not Vedas. Puraanas attribute various functions, attributes and symbolisms to the Vaahanas.
