Hindu Of Universe
Brahma
Within the hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and
Shiva, Brahma is the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the
destroyer. Nevertheless, 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.
Brahma's mind born sons are the seers Marici,
Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratuj, Pracetas, Vashishta, Bhrgu and
Narada. From Brahma's body came his nine sons Daksa, Dharma, Kama,
Anger, Greed, Delusion (Maya), Lust, Joy, Death and Bharata and one
daughter called Angaja.
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).
|