Lord Brahma is the 1st god within the Hindu sacred trinity of Shiva, Lord Vishnu and himself. He is responsible for the creation of the universe and all beings within it. He is considered as the origin of names, space, time and form. He is known in several names such as Lokesha (the divine architect), Pitamaha (the supreme father) and Vishwakarma (the supreme architect). The cyclic occurrence of day and night is part of his creation.
There are several stories which is associated with the birth of Lord Brahma. Vishnu fell into a deep sleep after the destruction of the last universe and in his sleep the thought of development occurred to him. This thought formed a Golden Embryo. Brahma took birth in addition to getting one of his names from the Golden Embryo or the Hiranya Garbha. Another story on the birth of Brahma is that he took birth from a Lotus, growing in the navel of Vishnu. That is how He got other names Kanja Ja (born from Lotus) and Nabhi Ja (navel born).
Manusmriti says Lord Brahma created himself by designing the waters and depositing a seed and he is self existent. The seed transformed into the Golden Embryo and from it He was reborn as Brahma. Birth of Brahma is also narrated in Ramayana. According to Ramayana, Brahma was born from the ether, which suspends the world.
He also believed to have given shape to his sons from his mind and they are referred to as manas putras (born from mind). Angiras, Marici, Kratuj, Vashishta, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Pracetas, Bhrgu and Narada are his manas putras. From his body originated nine sons Dharma, Daksa, Kama, Greed, Joy, Anger, Lust, Maya, Death, Bharata and a daughter Angaja.
While developing the universe and all beings, he created goddess Gayatri to help him. She is known as Saraswati too. Brahma and Saraswati are talked about in a lot of mythological and literature pieces. They are also the deities of meaning, arts, science and knowledge.
He is mostly pictured as an old man (with a beard, white in color). In his four arms he holds a lotus, the Vedas, scepter, a spoon, a string of beads and a bowl of sacred water. Although he earlier had 5 heads, most pictures of depict him to have 4 heads. It is because Lord Shiva was insulted by Lord Brahma and in the extreme anger Lord Shiva reduced the 5th head into ashes.
Although He is an important part of the first trinity, there are no temples dedicated to him. A place called Pushkar in Ajmer is a pilgrimage place for His followers. Temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu often have the northern part dedicated to him. He is called Parivara Devata.
There are several stories which is associated with the birth of Lord Brahma. Vishnu fell into a deep sleep after the destruction of the last universe and in his sleep the thought of development occurred to him. This thought formed a Golden Embryo. Brahma took birth in addition to getting one of his names from the Golden Embryo or the Hiranya Garbha. Another story on the birth of Brahma is that he took birth from a Lotus, growing in the navel of Vishnu. That is how He got other names Kanja Ja (born from Lotus) and Nabhi Ja (navel born).
Manusmriti says Lord Brahma created himself by designing the waters and depositing a seed and he is self existent. The seed transformed into the Golden Embryo and from it He was reborn as Brahma. Birth of Brahma is also narrated in Ramayana. According to Ramayana, Brahma was born from the ether, which suspends the world.
He also believed to have given shape to his sons from his mind and they are referred to as manas putras (born from mind). Angiras, Marici, Kratuj, Vashishta, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Pracetas, Bhrgu and Narada are his manas putras. From his body originated nine sons Dharma, Daksa, Kama, Greed, Joy, Anger, Lust, Maya, Death, Bharata and a daughter Angaja.
While developing the universe and all beings, he created goddess Gayatri to help him. She is known as Saraswati too. Brahma and Saraswati are talked about in a lot of mythological and literature pieces. They are also the deities of meaning, arts, science and knowledge.
He is mostly pictured as an old man (with a beard, white in color). In his four arms he holds a lotus, the Vedas, scepter, a spoon, a string of beads and a bowl of sacred water. Although he earlier had 5 heads, most pictures of depict him to have 4 heads. It is because Lord Shiva was insulted by Lord Brahma and in the extreme anger Lord Shiva reduced the 5th head into ashes.
Although He is an important part of the first trinity, there are no temples dedicated to him. A place called Pushkar in Ajmer is a pilgrimage place for His followers. Temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu often have the northern part dedicated to him. He is called Parivara Devata.
About the Author:
To read about Hinduism and know more about holy Hindu hymns like Durga chalisa, visit Prabhubhakti.
No comments:
Post a Comment