Multi-armed Gods / Humanoids - A Hindu concept?

If you observe, most of the Hindu mythological figures like Ganapati, Durga, Vishnu, Shiva, Sarasvati and many more are always portrayed with multiple arms; holding weapons, conch, modak or giving blessings. They are humanoids and not depicted as beasts or giants but they are battling the cosmic forces. One of the logics behind these multiple arms can be to denote the multi-tasking or versatile qualities of the God. The arms are the most noticeable parts of the human body, so using them most effectively certainly emphasizes the purpose.

For eg: Durga is a warrior goddess depicted as having eight arms, a glowing skin, and brightly coloured attire.  She rides on a lion or a tiger, carrying weapons, and practicing symbolic hand gestures (like blessings, holding lotus etc). She manifests fearlessness and patience with a kind smile on her face. Such a portrayal is certainly inspiring and tells a lot about the persona. Similarly Ganesha always carries “Parshu” (his favourite weapon) in one hand at the same time “modak” (his favourite food item) in the other. This is all symbolic and a lot has been talked about the meanings. But-

Are these multi- armed humanoids found only in Hindu mythology?

If you see the portrayal of gods from other religions like Jesus Christ, Gautam Buddha or Jain god figures, they are not Multi-armed. In Buddhism, many deities are depicted as multi-armed humanoids.

Marici is a deva or bodhisattva associated with light and the sun. Marici is usually depicted as a multi-armed woman with a different weapon in each hand standing or sitting on the back of a boar. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marici_(Buddhism))

Avalokiteśvara (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalokite%C5%9Bvara) is a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. This bodhisattva is variably depicted and described and is portrayed in different cultures as either female or male.

In Chinese Buddhism and East Asia, 18-armed form of Avalokiteśvara called Cundī are very popular. Tibetian form of Avalokitesvara has 4 arms. Whereas The Bao'en Temple located in northwestern Sichuan (China)  has an outstanding wooden image of the 1000 Armed Avalokiteśvara, an example of Ming dynasty decorative sculpture

Kanozen (Japanese Buddhism) is usually portrayed with 18 arms.

Similarly, Hekatonkheires or Hecatonchires of Greek Mythology is believed to have 100 hands. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hekatonkheires).

So multi-armed deities is not unique only to Hindu dharma.  We can reasonably say that multiple arms is symbolic to multiple qualities of God. It is an artisan’s depiction of various qualities of gods. But if you believe that Buddhism is evolved from Hindu dharma, then you might feel proud that multi armed gods is an Indian concept. But the scluptural evidence might disappoint you.

What is the sculptural timeline from when such a portrayal started? Or is there a description of multi-armed god in scriptures as well?

Based on my limited knowledge and limited research that I could do, the vedas do not describe God with multiple arms. (The Purusha Sukta (Rig Veda) hints at multiple limbs of the Purusha, neither the Narayana Sukta or the Rudra Prashna (both in Yajur Veda) mention either Vishnu or Shiva with multiple limbs). Mahabharata might be the first one to describe multiple limbs of Vishnu. As per common belief Mahabharata was written around 400BC (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharata). Whereas first hindu deities to be depicted in Human form was around 1900 years ago (http://www.tiki-toki.com/timeline/entry/412747/-Gods-with-multiple-arms-a-timeline-of-Indic-iconography/). Till then hindu deities were more in animist forms.

So as it appears, only after the spread of Buddhism and after the Buddist artists carved multi-armed Gods (200BC), Hindu deities were sculptured in the form of multi armed humanoids.

 

I will end this saying that whatever be the form of the God, the ultimate reality is that; there is some energy in this cosmos which gives us a life and guides  us directly or indirectly... I bow to that energy.. 

Namastasye Namo Namaha..

Please note that the abovementioned facts are to the best of my knowledge and research. Please feel free to comment and provide your feedback or views related to this matter.