The Hindu Trimurti BRAHMA
May 4, 2016 8:24:09 GMT 1
Post by Anne Terri on May 4, 2016 8:24:09 GMT 1
"GOD'S LIVING BIBLE ---- THE THIRD TESTAMENT ----- RESEARCH LIBRARY ©
The Hindu Trimurti - Their Children and Avatars
BRAHMA
BRAHMA
Brahma: Creator of the world and all creatures.
Brahma is represented by four heads and four arms, plus is bearded.. There are Hindu scholars who think these are based on the four Vedas.
Hinduism Atri - Seer of the Rig Veda
Atri is one of the three main seers of the Rig Veda. These seers are known as Rishis. They are the enlightened ones, who are able to receive the sacred texts. Atri therefor would be considered as one of the authors of the Rig Veda. He would have been a scholar, and is known as one of Brahma's sons.
The sacred threads within the Rig Veda, having to do with three strands which symbolize Creation, and the sound made during meditation AUM (OM)
The letters for AUM comes from the Three names of the Hindu Trinity.
For Brahma you take the letter A- For Vishnu the letter U - and Shiva is given the letter M
Atri is one of the three main seers of the Rig Veda. These seers are known as Rishis. They are the enlightened ones, who are able to receive the sacred texts. Atri therefor would be considered as one of the authors of the Rig Veda. He would have been a scholar, and is known as one of Brahma's sons.
The sacred threads within the Rig Veda, having to do with three strands which symbolize Creation, and the sound made during meditation AUM (OM)
The letters for AUM comes from the Three names of the Hindu Trinity.
For Brahma you take the letter A- For Vishnu the letter U - and Shiva is given the letter M
Brahma is known as the Creator of the Hindu Trinity.
Brahma is one of the Hindu Trinity: Brahma - Vishnu - Shiva
In The Mahabharata, the seven rishis of the first manvantara are Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya, and Vasishtha
The Mahabharata references as far back as ancient texts of the Ashtadhyayi sutra 6.2.38, from the time of the 4th century BCE. This is the time of the Indian sanskrits of Panini. This text is only available in Sanskrit.
Brahma's Sons Prajapatis:
His sons which were born of the mind and are the seers.
Marici (Marichi),
Atri,
Angiras,
Pulastya,
Pulaha,
Kratuj (Kratu),
Pracetas,
Vashishta (Vasishtha),
Bhrgu
Narada
His sons, which were born of the body are
Daksa,
Dharma,
Kama,
Anger,
Greed,
Delusion Maya,
Lust,
Joy,
Death
Bharata.
Brahma had and one daughter named Angaja.
The Mahabharata are an amazing works, one of two major Sanskrits from early India. It tells the story of the Kurukshetra War, what befell the Kauravas and the Pandavas. The work opens the door to discussions on how to live one's life, and to do what is right.
Bhrigu
Maharishi Bhrigu (Sanskrit: Bhṛgu) was one of the seven great sages, the Saptarshis, one of the many Prajapatis (the facilitators of Creation) created by Brahma (The God of Creation),[1] the first compiler of predictive astrology, and also the author of Bhrigu Samhita, the astrological (Jyotish) classic. Bhrigu is considered as a Manasa Putra (mind-born-son) of Brahma. The adjectival form of the name, Bhargava, is used to refer to the descendants and the school of Bhrigu.
Reference:[1]
Narada said.. The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli (1883 -1896), Book 2: Sabha Parva: Lokapala Sabhakhayana Parva, section:XI. p. 25 And Daksha, Prachetas, Pulaha, Marichi, the master Kasyapa, Bhrigu, Atri, and Vasistha and Gautama, and also Angiras, and Pulastya, Kraut, Prahlada, and Kardama, these Prajapatis, and Angirasa of the Atharvan Veda, the Valikhilyas, the Marichipas; Intelligence, Space, Knowledge, Air, Heat, Water, Earth, Sound, Touch, Form, Taste, Scent; Nature, and the Modes (of Nature), and the elemental and prime causes of the world – all stay in that mansion beside the lord Brahma. And Agastya of great energy, and Markandeya, of great ascetic power, and Jamadagni and Bharadwaja, and Samvarta, and Chyavana, and exalted Durvasa, and the virtuous Rishyasringa, the illustrious 'Sanatkumara' of great ascetic merit and the preceptor in all matters affecting Yoga..."
Narada said.. The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli (1883 -1896), Book 2: Sabha Parva: Lokapala Sabhakhayana Parva, section:XI. p. 25 And Daksha, Prachetas, Pulaha, Marichi, the master Kasyapa, Bhrigu, Atri, and Vasistha and Gautama, and also Angiras, and Pulastya, Kraut, Prahlada, and Kardama, these Prajapatis, and Angirasa of the Atharvan Veda, the Valikhilyas, the Marichipas; Intelligence, Space, Knowledge, Air, Heat, Water, Earth, Sound, Touch, Form, Taste, Scent; Nature, and the Modes (of Nature), and the elemental and prime causes of the world – all stay in that mansion beside the lord Brahma. And Agastya of great energy, and Markandeya, of great ascetic power, and Jamadagni and Bharadwaja, and Samvarta, and Chyavana, and exalted Durvasa, and the virtuous Rishyasringa, the illustrious 'Sanatkumara' of great ascetic merit and the preceptor in all matters affecting Yoga..."
wikipedia
ATRI
In Hinduism, Atri (Sanskrit: अत्रि) or Attri is a legendary bard and scholar and was one of 9 Prajapatis, a son of Brahma, said to be ancestor of some Brahmin, Prajapatis, Kshatriya and Vaishya communities who adopt Atri as their gotra. Atri is one of the Saptarishi (Seven Great Sages) in the seventh, i.e. the present Manvantara.
A page of a Bhagavata Purana illustrated manuscript in Devanagari, supposedly prepared for Maharaja Pratap Simha of Jaipur (1779-1803). Cropped. This contains a passage from the 4th canto, 1st chapter, texts 21 (incomplete) through 25 (incomplete) of the Bhagavata Purana describing the encounter of the Vedic sage Atri Rishi and his wife Anasuya with the Trimurti: Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva seated on their respective vahanas.
The episode is depicted in the upper part of the image above the Devanagari script in Odishi style. A Bhagavata Purana manuscript page depicting the story of Atri and Anasuya meeting the Trimurti(PhP 4.1.21-25). (Paper, late 18th century, Jaipur).
wikipedia
In Hinduism, Atri (Sanskrit: अत्रि) or Attri is a legendary bard and scholar and was one of 9 Prajapatis, a son of Brahma, said to be ancestor of some Brahmin, Prajapatis, Kshatriya and Vaishya communities who adopt Atri as their gotra. Atri is one of the Saptarishi (Seven Great Sages) in the seventh, i.e. the present Manvantara.
The episode is depicted in the upper part of the image above the Devanagari script in Odishi style. A Bhagavata Purana manuscript page depicting the story of Atri and Anasuya meeting the Trimurti(PhP 4.1.21-25). (Paper, late 18th century, Jaipur).
wikipedia
God's Living Bible - The Third Testament - Research Library - Hinduism
RIGVEDA –BOOK 5-HYMN XL. Indra. Sūrya. Atri.
glbresearch.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=rigveda5&thread=3044&page=1#3257
RIGVEDA –BOOK 5-HYMN XL. Indra. Sūrya. Atri.
glbresearch.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=rigveda5&thread=3044&page=1#3257
ANGIRAS (Sage)
Angiras (अंगिरस्, pronounced [əŋɡirəs]; nominative singular Angirā, अंगिरा [əŋɡirɑː]) is a rishi (or sage) who, along with sage Atharvan, is credited with having formulated ("heard") most of the fourth Veda called Atharvaveda. He is also mentioned in the other three Vedas. Sometimes he is reckoned as one of the Seven Great Sages, or saptarishis of the first Manvantara, with others being, Marichi, Atri, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya, and Vashishtha. Bharadwaja maharshis was his descendant.
His wife is Surūpa and his sons are Utathya, Samvartana and *Bṛhaspati. He is one of the ten manasputras (wish-born-son) of Lord Brahma. Other accounts say that he married Smriti (memory), the daughter of Daksha and later married Svadha (oblation).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angiras_%28sage%29
wikipedia
God's Living Bible - The Third Testament - Research Library
*Brahmaṇaspati (Brihaspati)(Bṛhaspati)
glbresearch.proboards.com/post/3982
Angiras (अंगिरस्, pronounced [əŋɡirəs]; nominative singular Angirā, अंगिरा [əŋɡirɑː]) is a rishi (or sage) who, along with sage Atharvan, is credited with having formulated ("heard") most of the fourth Veda called Atharvaveda. He is also mentioned in the other three Vedas. Sometimes he is reckoned as one of the Seven Great Sages, or saptarishis of the first Manvantara, with others being, Marichi, Atri, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya, and Vashishtha. Bharadwaja maharshis was his descendant.
His wife is Surūpa and his sons are Utathya, Samvartana and *Bṛhaspati. He is one of the ten manasputras (wish-born-son) of Lord Brahma. Other accounts say that he married Smriti (memory), the daughter of Daksha and later married Svadha (oblation).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angiras_%28sage%29
wikipedia
God's Living Bible - The Third Testament - Research Library
*Brahmaṇaspati (Brihaspati)(Bṛhaspati)
glbresearch.proboards.com/post/3982
Kratuj (Kratu)
Kratu (Sanskrit: क्रतु) (Sanskrit for "strength") was a rishi who appeared in two different ages. In the Swayanbhuva Manvantara, Kratu was a Prajapati and a very dear son of Lord Brahma.
He was also the son-in-law of Prajapati Daksha. His wife was named Santhati. It is said that he had 60,000 children. They were named as included in the Valakhilyas. Kratu also had 2 sisters, Punya and Satyavati.
Before he was married, Kratu was a good friend of Lord Rudra (Lord Shiva). Rudra was originally called Pasupati, the Lord of Beasts. It appears, though, that he gave away his authority of Pasupati to Kratu when Kratu punished Rudra's father Brahma for his sinful activities.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kratu
wikipedia
Internal links are to God's Living Bible - The Third Testament - Research Library
Kratu (Sanskrit: क्रतु) (Sanskrit for "strength") was a rishi who appeared in two different ages. In the Swayanbhuva Manvantara, Kratu was a Prajapati and a very dear son of Lord Brahma.
He was also the son-in-law of Prajapati Daksha. His wife was named Santhati. It is said that he had 60,000 children. They were named as included in the Valakhilyas. Kratu also had 2 sisters, Punya and Satyavati.
Before he was married, Kratu was a good friend of Lord Rudra (Lord Shiva). Rudra was originally called Pasupati, the Lord of Beasts. It appears, though, that he gave away his authority of Pasupati to Kratu when Kratu punished Rudra's father Brahma for his sinful activities.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kratu
wikipedia
Internal links are to God's Living Bible - The Third Testament - Research Library
Narada
Narada (Sanskrit: नारद, Nārada) is a Vedic sage, famous in Hindu traditions as a traveling musician and storyteller, who carries news and enlightening wisdom. He appears in a number of Hindu texts, notably the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, as well as in the mythologies of the Puranas.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narada
wikipedia
See also SRÎMAD BHÂGAVATAM "The Story of the Fortunate One"-PDF
Read more: glbresearch.proboards.com/thread/5531/mad-gavatam-story-fortunate-pdf#ixzz4QMhpbl7v
Narada (Sanskrit: नारद, Nārada) is a Vedic sage, famous in Hindu traditions as a traveling musician and storyteller, who carries news and enlightening wisdom. He appears in a number of Hindu texts, notably the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, as well as in the mythologies of the Puranas.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narada
wikipedia
See also SRÎMAD BHÂGAVATAM "The Story of the Fortunate One"-PDF
Read more: glbresearch.proboards.com/thread/5531/mad-gavatam-story-fortunate-pdf#ixzz4QMhpbl7v
Prachetas
Prachetas primarily refers to the pre-eminently intelligent one, it means observant and intelligent. It is also another name for Varuna, one of the ten Prajapatis one of whom was the father of Valmiki who was also known as Prāchetas, the son of Prachetas.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prachetas
wikipedia
Prachetas primarily refers to the pre-eminently intelligent one, it means observant and intelligent. It is also another name for Varuna, one of the ten Prajapatis one of whom was the father of Valmiki who was also known as Prāchetas, the son of Prachetas.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prachetas
wikipedia
Pulaha
Rishi Pulaha or Pulaha is the son of Brahma, the cosmic creator, and also one of the Saptarshi (Seven Great Sages Rishi), in the First Manvantara, with others being Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Kratu, Pulastya, and Vashishtha.[1] In another classification, Pulaha one of the ten Prajapatis, the ruler of people created by Brahma..
wikipedia
Rishi Pulaha or Pulaha is the son of Brahma, the cosmic creator, and also one of the Saptarshi (Seven Great Sages Rishi), in the First Manvantara, with others being Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Kratu, Pulastya, and Vashishtha.[1] In another classification, Pulaha one of the ten Prajapatis, the ruler of people created by Brahma..
wikipedia
Kratu
Kratuj (Kratu)
Kratu (Sanskrit: क्रतु) (Sanskrit for "strength") was a rishi who appeared in two different ages. In the Swayanbhuva Manvantara, Kratu was a Prajapati and a very dear son of Lord Brahma. He was also the son-in-law of Prajapati Daksha. His wife was named Santhati. It is said that he had 60,000 children. They were named as included in the Valakhilyas. Kratu also had 2 sisters, Punya and Satyavati.
Before he was married, Kratu was a good friend of Lord Rudra (Lord Shiva). Rudra was originally called Pasupati, the Lord of Beasts. It appears, though, that he gave away his authority of Pasupati to Kratu when Kratu punished Rudra's father Brahma for his sinful activities.
Later, the demigods divided all the beasts among themselves without giving any share to Rudra and without considering Rudra, as he was initially considered a non-Aryan god. Rudra went to Prajapati and told him that he would kill all the demigods. Prajapati asked him to wait and promised him that soon he would restore the title to Rudra. The demigods then proceeded to perform a sacrifice without inviting Rudra. The head of the sacrifice was none other than Prajapati Daksha, who was nursing a grudge against Rudra or for the simple reason that his daughter Sati married Shiva against his wishes. He did not send even an invitation to Shiva, who was his son-in-law.
wikipedia
Links to Shiva within Our Research Library.
Kratuj (Kratu)
Kratu (Sanskrit: क्रतु) (Sanskrit for "strength") was a rishi who appeared in two different ages. In the Swayanbhuva Manvantara, Kratu was a Prajapati and a very dear son of Lord Brahma. He was also the son-in-law of Prajapati Daksha. His wife was named Santhati. It is said that he had 60,000 children. They were named as included in the Valakhilyas. Kratu also had 2 sisters, Punya and Satyavati.
Before he was married, Kratu was a good friend of Lord Rudra (Lord Shiva). Rudra was originally called Pasupati, the Lord of Beasts. It appears, though, that he gave away his authority of Pasupati to Kratu when Kratu punished Rudra's father Brahma for his sinful activities.
Later, the demigods divided all the beasts among themselves without giving any share to Rudra and without considering Rudra, as he was initially considered a non-Aryan god. Rudra went to Prajapati and told him that he would kill all the demigods. Prajapati asked him to wait and promised him that soon he would restore the title to Rudra. The demigods then proceeded to perform a sacrifice without inviting Rudra. The head of the sacrifice was none other than Prajapati Daksha, who was nursing a grudge against Rudra or for the simple reason that his daughter Sati married Shiva against his wishes. He did not send even an invitation to Shiva, who was his son-in-law.
wikipedia
Links to Shiva within Our Research Library.
Pulastya
Pulatsya (Sanskrit: पुलत्स्य, Sinhala: පුලස්ති, Thai: ท้าวจตุรพักตร์) was one of the ten Prajapati or mind-born sons of Brahma,[1] and one of the Saptarishis (Seven Great Sages Rishi) in the first Manvantara.
He was the medium through which some of the Puranas were communicated to the mankind. He received the Vishnu Purana from Brahma and communicated it to Parashara, who made it known to mankind.
He was father of Visravas who was the father of Kubera and Ravana, and all the Rakshasas are supposed to have sprung from him. Pulastya Rishi was married to one of Kardam ji's nine daughters named Havirbhoo. Pulastya Rishi had two sons - Maharshi Agastya and Visravas. Vishravaa had two wives: one was Kekasi who gave birth to Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana; and another was Ilavida and had a son named Kuber.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulastya
wikipedia
Link to (1) in The Research Library - THE MAHABHARATA BOOK 2 – SABHA PARVA
LOKAPALA SABHAKHAYANA PARVA SECTION XI - Pg. 25
Vashishta (Vasishtha)
Maharishi Vashistha (Sanskrit: वशिष्ठ, वसिष्ठ, IAST: Vaśiṣṭha, Vasiṣṭha, Thai: Vasit, Tamil: வசிட்டர்) is one of the Saptarishis(seven great Rishis) in the seventh, i.e. present Manvantara or age of Manu. Vashistha is a manasputra of God Brahma. He had in his possession the divine cow Kamadhenu and Nandini her child, who could grant anything to their owners. Arundhati is the name of wife of Vashista. RigVeda 7:33 mentions Vashishtha Rishi as son of MitraVaruna and Urvasi.
Vashistha as one of 9 Prajapatis, is credited as the chief author of Mandala 7 of Rigveda. Vashistha and his family are glorified in RV 7.33, extolling their role in the Battle of the Ten Kings, making him the only mortal besides Bhava to have a Rigvedic hymn dedicated to him. Another treatise attributed to him is Vashistha Samhita – a book on the Vedic system of electional astrology.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vashistha
wikipedia
Internal links are to Our Research Library.
Maharishi Vashistha (Sanskrit: वशिष्ठ, वसिष्ठ, IAST: Vaśiṣṭha, Vasiṣṭha, Thai: Vasit, Tamil: வசிட்டர்) is one of the Saptarishis(seven great Rishis) in the seventh, i.e. present Manvantara or age of Manu. Vashistha is a manasputra of God Brahma. He had in his possession the divine cow Kamadhenu and Nandini her child, who could grant anything to their owners. Arundhati is the name of wife of Vashista. RigVeda 7:33 mentions Vashishtha Rishi as son of MitraVaruna and Urvasi.
Vashistha as one of 9 Prajapatis, is credited as the chief author of Mandala 7 of Rigveda. Vashistha and his family are glorified in RV 7.33, extolling their role in the Battle of the Ten Kings, making him the only mortal besides Bhava to have a Rigvedic hymn dedicated to him. Another treatise attributed to him is Vashistha Samhita – a book on the Vedic system of electional astrology.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vashistha
wikipedia
Internal links are to Our Research Library.
At this time, the least worshiped god in India is Brahma. There are several stories about why Brahma has fallen from favor. Both Vishnu and Shiva have many devoted followers. Brahma has taken no Avatars.
The Legendary Story of Brahma
Legend says Brahma grew in a lotus out of the navel of the sleeping Vishnu. The daily alternation of light and dark is attributed to the activity of Brahma.
In order to create the world and produce the human race, Brahma made a goddess out of himself. One half was woman and the other half was man. Brahma called the woman Gayatri, but she also became known by many other names such as Saraswati.
Brahma has four heads, but used to have five. The four extra heads appeared when Gayatri was very ashamed with Brahma's love for her and tried to escape from his gaze. The tremendous tapas that Brahma had practiced for the purpose of creation was entirely annihilated through his desire to unite with his daughter. One head was lost later when Brahma lied to Vishnu and thus caused Shiva to become very angry.
The four Veda's are said to have sprung from his heads. In the Life of Ganga, Brahma advised Bhagiratha to ask the help of Shiva in containing the power of Ganga (goddess of the Ganges river).
Bibliography
www.sanatansociety.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses/brahma.htm#.VqdA21IS50d
The Story of The River Ganga
www.teachersofindia.org/en/printpdf/1654
Legend says Brahma grew in a lotus out of the navel of the sleeping Vishnu. The daily alternation of light and dark is attributed to the activity of Brahma.
In order to create the world and produce the human race, Brahma made a goddess out of himself. One half was woman and the other half was man. Brahma called the woman Gayatri, but she also became known by many other names such as Saraswati.
Brahma has four heads, but used to have five. The four extra heads appeared when Gayatri was very ashamed with Brahma's love for her and tried to escape from his gaze. The tremendous tapas that Brahma had practiced for the purpose of creation was entirely annihilated through his desire to unite with his daughter. One head was lost later when Brahma lied to Vishnu and thus caused Shiva to become very angry.
The four Veda's are said to have sprung from his heads. In the Life of Ganga, Brahma advised Bhagiratha to ask the help of Shiva in containing the power of Ganga (goddess of the Ganges river).
Bibliography
www.sanatansociety.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses/brahma.htm#.VqdA21IS50d
The Story of The River Ganga
www.teachersofindia.org/en/printpdf/1654
BRAHMA (Exerpts from Wikipedia)
Brahma (/ˈbrəmɑː/; Brahmā) is the creator god in the Trimurti of Hinduism. He has four faces, looking in the four directions. Brahma is also known as Svayambhu (self-born),[ Vāgīśa (Lord of Speech), and the creator of the four Vedas, one from each of his mouths. Brahma is identified with the Vedic god Prajapati, as well as linked to Kama and Hiranyagarbha (the cosmic egg), he is more prominently mentioned in the post-Vedic Hindu epics and the mythologies in the Puranas. In the epics, he is conflated with Purusha. Brahma, along with Vishnu and Shiva, is part of a Hindu Trinity, however, ancient Hindu texts mention other trinities of gods or goddesses which does not include Brahma.
While Brahma is often credited as the creator of the universe and various beings in it, several Puranas describe him being born from a lotus emerging from the navel of the god Vishnu. Other Puranas suggest that he is born from Shiva or his aspects,or he is a supreme god in diverse versions of Hindu mythology. Brahma, along with Vishnu and Shiva, is also viewed as a different form of Brahman, the ultimate formless metaphysical reality and cosmic soul in Hinduism
The origins of Brahma are uncertain, in part because several related words such as one for Ultimate Reality (Brahman), and priest (Brahmin) are found in the Vedic literature. In Sanskrit grammar, the noun stem brahman forms two distinct nouns; one is a neuter noun bráhman, whose nominative singular form is brahma; this noun has a generalized and abstract meaning.
One of the earliest mention of Brahma with Vishnu and Shiva is in the fifth Prapathaka (lesson) of the Maitrayaniya Upanishad, probably composed in late 1st millennium BCE. Brahma is discussed in verse 5,1 also called the Kutsayana Hymn first, and expounded in verse 5,2.
In the pantheistic Kutsayana Hymn, the Upanishad asserts that one's Soul is Brahman, and this Ultimate Reality, Cosmic Universal or God is within each living being. It equates the Atman (Soul, Self) within to be Brahma and various alternate manifestations of Brahman, as follows, "Thou art Brahma, thou art Vishnu, thou art Rudra (Shiva), thou art Agni, Varuna, Vayu, Indra, thou art All."
In verse 5,2 Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are mapped into the theory of Guṇa, that is qualities, psyche and innate tendencies the text describes can be found in all living beings.This chapter of the Maitri Upanishad asserts that the universe emerged from darkness (Tamas), first as passion characterized by action qua action (Rajas), which then refined and differentiated into purity and goodness (Sattva). Of these three qualities, Rajas is then mapped to Brahma, as follows:
Now then, that part of him which belongs to Tamas, that, O students of sacred knowledge (Brahmacharins), is this Rudra.
That part of him which belongs to Rajas, that O students of sacred knowledge, is this Brahma.
That part of him which belongs to Sattva, that O students of sacred knowledge, is this Vishnu.
Verily, that One became threefold, became eightfold, elevenfold, twelvefold, into infinite fold.
This Being (neuter) entered all beings, he became the overlord of all beings.
That is the Atman (Soul, Self) within and without – yea, within and without !
— Maitri Upanishad 5.2
Read More en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahma
wikipedia
Brahma (/ˈbrəmɑː/; Brahmā) is the creator god in the Trimurti of Hinduism. He has four faces, looking in the four directions. Brahma is also known as Svayambhu (self-born),[ Vāgīśa (Lord of Speech), and the creator of the four Vedas, one from each of his mouths. Brahma is identified with the Vedic god Prajapati, as well as linked to Kama and Hiranyagarbha (the cosmic egg), he is more prominently mentioned in the post-Vedic Hindu epics and the mythologies in the Puranas. In the epics, he is conflated with Purusha. Brahma, along with Vishnu and Shiva, is part of a Hindu Trinity, however, ancient Hindu texts mention other trinities of gods or goddesses which does not include Brahma.
While Brahma is often credited as the creator of the universe and various beings in it, several Puranas describe him being born from a lotus emerging from the navel of the god Vishnu. Other Puranas suggest that he is born from Shiva or his aspects,or he is a supreme god in diverse versions of Hindu mythology. Brahma, along with Vishnu and Shiva, is also viewed as a different form of Brahman, the ultimate formless metaphysical reality and cosmic soul in Hinduism
The origins of Brahma are uncertain, in part because several related words such as one for Ultimate Reality (Brahman), and priest (Brahmin) are found in the Vedic literature. In Sanskrit grammar, the noun stem brahman forms two distinct nouns; one is a neuter noun bráhman, whose nominative singular form is brahma; this noun has a generalized and abstract meaning.
One of the earliest mention of Brahma with Vishnu and Shiva is in the fifth Prapathaka (lesson) of the Maitrayaniya Upanishad, probably composed in late 1st millennium BCE. Brahma is discussed in verse 5,1 also called the Kutsayana Hymn first, and expounded in verse 5,2.
In the pantheistic Kutsayana Hymn, the Upanishad asserts that one's Soul is Brahman, and this Ultimate Reality, Cosmic Universal or God is within each living being. It equates the Atman (Soul, Self) within to be Brahma and various alternate manifestations of Brahman, as follows, "Thou art Brahma, thou art Vishnu, thou art Rudra (Shiva), thou art Agni, Varuna, Vayu, Indra, thou art All."
In verse 5,2 Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are mapped into the theory of Guṇa, that is qualities, psyche and innate tendencies the text describes can be found in all living beings.This chapter of the Maitri Upanishad asserts that the universe emerged from darkness (Tamas), first as passion characterized by action qua action (Rajas), which then refined and differentiated into purity and goodness (Sattva). Of these three qualities, Rajas is then mapped to Brahma, as follows:
Now then, that part of him which belongs to Tamas, that, O students of sacred knowledge (Brahmacharins), is this Rudra.
That part of him which belongs to Rajas, that O students of sacred knowledge, is this Brahma.
That part of him which belongs to Sattva, that O students of sacred knowledge, is this Vishnu.
Verily, that One became threefold, became eightfold, elevenfold, twelvefold, into infinite fold.
This Being (neuter) entered all beings, he became the overlord of all beings.
That is the Atman (Soul, Self) within and without – yea, within and without !
— Maitri Upanishad 5.2
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"Brahma on hamsa" by Probably Nurpur, Punjab Hills, Northern India - www.mfa.org/collections/object/brahma-149171. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brahma_on_hamsa.jpg#/media/File:Brahma_on_hamsa.jpg
"Sheshashayi Vishnu" by Ramanarayanadatta astri - archive.org/details/mahabharat05ramauoft. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sheshashayi_Vishnu.jpg#/media/File:Sheshashayi_Vishnu.jpg