Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and the Numerous Beliefs of Hinduism

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The Holy Trinity of Hinduism and the Cycle of Creation, Preservation, and Destruction

33 koti Gods (8 Vasus + 11 Rudras + 12 Adityas + Indra and Prajapati ( 8+ 11 + 12 + 2 = 33) are worshiped in the various temples of Hindu religion, but it is only the Holy Trinity that is revered as the supreme power. Lord Brahma is the creator of the universe, Lord Vishnu is the preserver, and Lord Shiva or Mahesh is the destroyer. The Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh (Lord Shiva), is the epitome of divinity and the most powerful Gods in Hinduism.

Newari Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara (Brocadeless Thangka)

Lord Brahma has four heads and four arms. In one hand, he holds the Vedas, while in the other three, he holds a bow, a scepter, and a goblet. He sits on a lotus flower and is the creator of the four varnas in the Hindu religion.

Lord Vishnu is also depicted with four arms but is seen bearing a conch, a discus called the Sudarshan Chakra, a mace, and a lotus flower. The Lord resides in Vaikuntha in Ksheer Sagar with Goddess Lakshmi and is often seen in a reclining posture on Sheshnag. He reincarnated himself to remove adharma on earth and establish dharma. Among his many avatars, the Dashavatar is the most widely known, with Lord Ram and Lord Krishna being the most worshiped incarnations.


Lord Shiva is also worshiped in various forms. Sometimes, he is revered as Nataraj, the lord of dance, and sometimes worshiped in his Adiyogi form. He is also worshiped in his form as a Shiva Linga. In his most popular form, he holds a Trishul with a damru attached to it, his hair tied in a half top knot with river Ganga emerging from it and a serpent coiled around his neck. He resides in Kailash Parvat with his wife, Goddess Parvati, and his sons, Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya.


Who Created Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva?

There are many beliefs about how the holy trinity was created. The Vaishnavas, who are followers of Lord Vishnu, believe that he appeared first and created the other two deities. According to one belief, Lord Brahma was born from a lotus that bloomed in Lord Vishnu's navel. However, the Shaivites, worshipers of Lord Shiva, believe that Lord Shiva appeared first and created the other two Gods.

Another section believes all three deities were self-manifested by Brahman or the Supreme Power.

Why is Lord Brahma Not Worshiped like Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva?

Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are worshiped by countless people, but Lord Brahma is very rarely worshiped. With a handful of temples dedicated to him, one in Pushkar, Rajasthan, this is unusual since India has temples built in honor of many Hindu Gods and Goddesses. According to popular belief, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma were once arguing about who was superior among them when a huge pillar or lingam appeared before them.

It stretched from heaven to the underworld and was made of fire. It told both the deities that whoever shall find the end of the pillar will be declared as the superior one. Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu went in opposite directions and spent years looking for the end of the pillar. During this quest, Lord Vishnu realized that the lingam was, in fact, Lord Shiva himself and accepted that he could not reach the final point of the lingam.

However, Lord Brahma decided to win by falsely claiming that he had seen the end of the pillar. As this infuriated Lord Shiva, he emerged from the lingam and cursed Lord Brahma that he would never be worshiped by anyone.


Source: Quora

Are Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva One?

Since three deities are associated with the Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, there is always speculation whether they are one or separate from each other. The holy trinity is said to have emerged from the same entity, i.e., Bhagwaan or Brahman, which is why the powers of all three deities are interconnected. The creation of the universe is followed by its sustenance, and after that, destruction automatically follows.


Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva take the form of one entity, Lord Dattatreya, who has three faces of the three Gods and six arms, two for each deity. With a trishul and a damru in the two hands associated with Lord Shiva, a kamandal and a rosary in the other two of Lord Brahma, and a conch and a discus in the two associated with Lord Vishnu, he stands as a symbol of the oneness of the Holy Trinity. It is said that the Holy Trinity emanated from one Supreme Power source. They emerged from Brahman, i.e., the Supreme Power.

Is Lord Brahma more powerful than Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu?

The biggest question about the Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh- that puzzles people is who is superior. Devotees in the Hindu religion worship different Gods and Goddesses. The ones who worship Lord Vishnu see him as the most powerful of all Hindu Gods. People who worship Lord Shiva see him as the strongest. Some Hindu devotees believe that being the creator of everything, including Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva,  Lord Brahma is the most powerful.

Final Thoughts

The Holy Trinity is the best synonym for Hinduism. The entire universe dances to the tunes of their powers, and they make the backbone of the Hindu religion. Out of the numerous stories associated with their origin and their powers, one claims that Lord Brahma was created first, some believe that Lord Vishnu is the one to emerge first, and some consider Lord Shiva to be the first to have appeared.

The Hindu religion worships 33 Koti different deities. However, they are all united by the belief that the Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh emanated from the same Supreme Power, i.e., Brahman, and are equally important for the creation, preservation, and destruction of the universe.

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