Brahma
ब्रह्मा
Brahma is the creator god of the Hindu Trimurti, responsible for the creation of the universe and all living beings. Born from the cosmic lotus of Vishnu, he is one of the most important deities in Hinduism despite having few temples dedicated to him.
Key facts
- Creator of the universe and Brahmaanda (cosmic egg)
- Part of the Trimurti with Vishnu (preserver) and Shiva (destroyer)
- Has four heads and four Vedas as his knowledge
- Consort: Saraswati (goddess of wisdom and learning)
- Vehicle: Hamsa (sacred goose/swan)
- Weapon: Brahmastra (cosmic weapon)
Details
Brahma is depicted with four heads, each facing a cardinal direction, representing his omniscience and surveillance of all creation. According to the Vedas and Puranas, he emerged from a lotus blooming from Vishnu's navel during the cosmic creation cycle. Each of his four heads recites one of the four Vedas. Though conceptually central to Hinduism, Brahma worship is notably sparse—only two major temples exist, including the Brahma Temple in Pushkar, Rajasthan. This diminished reverence stems from various mythological narratives: one tale suggests Shiva cursed him after an encounter, while another indicates that worshipping the creator is less important than honoring the preserver and destroyer. His role is cyclical: each cosmic age witnesses him creating anew from the primordial waters, with each creation lasting billions of years.