Brahma

The Hindu God of Creation (Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum)

### Aliases

Vedanātha, Jñāneśwara, Virinchi, Chaturmukha, Svayambhū, Vāgīśa, Ādi Prajāpati, Mahabrahma

## Relatives

### Offspring

Marichi, Daksha, Narada, Himavat, Jambavan, Manu, Atri, Pulastya, Vasishtha, Chitragupta, Rudra, Satarupa, Angiras

**Brahma** is a pivotal deity worshiped by the Hindus, often referred to as the creator of the universe. He is a fundamental member of the trinity of Devas known as the Trimurti, which also includes Vishnu, the Preserver, and Shiva, the Destroyer. Together, these three deities represent the cosmic functions of creation, preservation, and destruction, respectively, forming the core aspects of the divine. Brahma's role as the creator emphasizes his significance in the grand scheme.

## Overview

Brahma's divine vehicle, or vahana, is the sacred goose known as Hamsa. He possesses the extraordinary ability to bestow numerous blessings upon not only gods and humans but also the demon-like beings known as Asuras. Furthermore, Brahma is credited with the creation of a multitude of entities and objects. Intriguingly, even demons themselves are said to have originated from different parts of his divine body. To illustrate, the Rakshasa race is believed to have been brought into existence from Brahma's very foot.

## Appearance

Brahma is conventionally portrayed as having four faces and four arms. Each of his faces is oriented towards a cardinal direction. Instead of weapons, his hands bear emblems of knowledge and creation. In one hand, he cradles the sacred Vedas, while in the second, he clasps a mala (rosary beads) signifying time. The third hand wields a ladle, symbolizing the means to nourish the sacrificial fire, and the fourth holds a vessel with water, representing the origin of all creation. Credited with the creation of the four Vedas, his four mouths are pivotal in this cosmic act. Often depicted with a white beard, it signifies his profound sage-like wisdom and experience.

## Personality

Being one of the Primeval Deities, Brahma is a firm believer and enforcer of divine law, justice, order, and balance. He, along with Shiva and Vishnu maintain the cosmic order, along with the other gods. Brahma is considered the mature one, he is a benevolent creator deity, as he creates things out of the blue for the well being of others, mainly the lives of the mortals and his worshippers. Like Shiva, Brahma holds a high contempt and hates evil, senseless wars, chaos, and disorder, he doesn't tolerate it nor does he abide by it. He also claims that promises are made to determine an individual's personality and soul, so it makes sense why he also hates oath-breakers.

Brahma is divinely wise, showing great insights to people, and knowledgeable when it comes to mythological things and events like the War in Heaven. He is well respected for his compassion and merciful natures,but can be a strict adherent towards the celestial laws, decreed by God. He values life in general, and being the Creator, he makes sure that his creations are not flawed. Being an elderly deity, Brahma is not as arrogant or as proud as other Deva Deities can be. As he appear to be respectful, humble, and a heart warming god, but when disrespected or angered enough, his anger and voice is considered more thunderous and terrifying than Indra the king of the gods himself.

Like Shiva and Vishnu, they hold God and Brahman in high regard and respect, as they always mentioned their names with great reverence.

## Powers and Abilities

Brahma is one of the Primeval Deities of the Primordials, and a member of the Trimurti (Three Pillar Gods of Hindu Pantheon). Where he, along with Shiva (the Destroyer), and Vishnu (the Preserver) maintain the cosmic wheel and balance of the universe between creation, destruction, and preservation. He is among the strongest beings (and even among the gods) in the world, and also widely revered by his position. Although not a chief deity, like Indra, Brahma is one of the pillar gods that hold the foundation of the Hindu pantheon. Due to his stoic and benevolent patience, he is more of a passive and pacifist deity, where the only things that are important to him is his creation and things that he will create.

* **Primordial Creator Deity Physiology**: As a Primeval Creator Deity, Brahma create anything on a divine level, such as planets, solar systems, cosmos, universes, and/or even various planets, containing life; though, it should not be confused with a Monotheistic Deity, which is the Supreme Being of all of Creation.
	+ **Creation Embodiment**: Though not as supreme and all powerful as God or Brahma (the ultimate reality), Brahma is also the embodiment of creation, and that his power comes from creation itself.
* **Creation**: Being the creator deity, he can create organic or inorganic matter from nothing, either as finished objects or simply unfinished elements. On the highest level Brahma can create anything he can think of, whether conceptual or sentient. This includes the creation of energy, souls and life of any complexity, dimensions or realities, stars, etc
	+ **Materio-Ergokinesis**: Being the supreme creator Deity of the Hindu pantheon, Brahma can create, shape and manipulate creative energy, capable of creating/materializing anything (objects, elements, lifeforms, etc.). His ability to create something, from out of the blue or nothingness is so great that he earn the respect of many gods, even from the gods of other foreign pantheons.
* **Chronokinesis**: As one of the Trimurti, Brahma has the power to manipulate time to a greater extent. He, along with Shiva and Vishnu manipulate time, using the forces of creation, destruction, and preservation, where they will time the exact time of certain things or individuals creation, destruction, or protection.

## Myths and Legends

Brahma is a figure originating from the *Vedas* and a major deity in Hinduism. While still important in his own right, by the seventh century he started to lose significance. This wasn't helped by the fact he was already being overshadowed by other gods like Vishnu, Shiva, and Mahadevi; being demoted to the role of a "secondary creator" who was created by another deity.

The name "Brahma" comes from the Sanskrit word ब्रह्मन् or "to swell, expand, grow, enlarge". The term is also used for the "Brahman" concept found in various south Asian religions.

Brahma is also found in various forms of Chinese Buddhism as one of the twenty devas.

## Trivia

* Theologians have equated Brahma with Jehovah.