Brahman is worshipped through both male and female deities. Trimurti, which means ‘three deities’. The three main male-female deities are Brahma - Saraswati, Vishnu - Lakshmi and Shiva - Parvati. The three aspects of the Trimurti represent different parts of the continuous cycle of samsara. Firstly, Brahma is the creator. Secondly, Vishnu is the protector. Finally, Shiva is the destroyer.
Male Deities – The Tridev
Brahma
Brahma is the father of creation. He is shown as having four heads and four arms, with the different heads turned towards the four directions of space. In his hands, Brahma is often depicted holding five objects:
- a rosary - symbolizing time
- a water pot - showing the potential for creation
- a sceptre in the form of a spoon - representing the pouring of holy oil during prayer, showing that Brahma is the lord of sacrifices
- sacred texts (the Vedas) - showing that Brahma makes all knowledge possible
- a lotus flower - to represent the lotus that Brahma evolved from
Brahma is often shown seated on a divine swan, signifying the journey of the individual soul as it travels onward to its true home – union with Brahman.
Vishnu
Vishnu (otherwise known as the Pervader) incarnates in multiple forms, or avatars, to fulfill his role as protector of the universe. Vishnu is a very important deity. He is portrayed as dark blue in colour and is usually shown standing upright. This suggests he is always watching over creation. He has four arms, representing his supreme power. In his hands he holds four items:
- A conch (a shell). This is often blown at the start of Hindu ceremonies. It is linked with the sound ‘om’ or ‘aum’, which is said to hold all of creation.
- A discus (or chakra). This represents the power of Vishnu’s divine thoughts. Hindus also believe it has been used to cut off the heads of demons who threatened dharma with their evil thoughts.
- A mace, which represents Vishnu’s control over time. Some Hindus also view it as a symbol of knowledge.
- A lotus flower, which is a sign of Vishnu’s purity, serenity and creative ability.
Shiva
Shiva is known to Hindus as both the Destroyer and the Transformer. His acts of destruction brings about rebirth and change. He represents internal understanding or self-awareness. Shiva is also the god of yogis and yoga.
Shiva is shown with a third eye in the middle of his forehead. This reminds that he has the ability to see beyond what humans take at face value. Shiva’s third eye opens when he intends to destroy that which is evil, expired or outdated. The king of serpents, Vasuki, is coiled around his neck. It is a sign of Shiva’s tranquil, gentle nature that such a creature feels comfortable enough to place itself around his neck. It is also evidence that Shiva has conquered all fear and feels no threat from a creature most people would avoid. Upon Shiva’s head rests a crescent moon, which represents the mind achieving spiritual wisdom.
Shiva is known as the Lord of Dance, and classical Indian dancers always offer worship to him on stage before they perform in public. Shiva holds a trident or trishul, whose three spikes represent the three gunas. Shiva’s possession of the trishul reminds Hindus that he is beyond these three qualities and also beyond the three states of waking, dreaming and sleeping.
Female Deities – The Tridevi
Tridevi, or three goddesses, is a term used to describe the three main female deities. These are Saraswati - Brahma, Lakshmi - Vishnu and Parvati - Shiva.
Saraswati
Saraswati is the goddess of learning, arts and music. She shows the power of knowledge and pure thought. She is the wife of Brahma. Saraswati is pictured holding a veena (a stringed musical instrument), prayer beads (also known as mala), a book and a pot of water. The prayer beads signify the importance of meditation while the water shows that Saraswati helps to purify people’s thoughts. Saraswati’s four arms represent the mind, the imagination, reasoning and self-understanding. She is portrayed wearing white.
Like Brahma, she is often portrayed on a swan, which is a symbol of elegance and purity for Hindus. She is also sometimes pictured seated on a stone, indicating that the pursuit of knowledge can be hard, like the surface of a stone.
The Rig Veda describes Saraswati as the “best of mothers, best of rivers, best of goddesses” (Rig Veda 2.41.16).
Lakshmi
Lakshmi is the goddess of good fortune and wealth. Wife of Vishnu, she is said to be his strength. She is shown either standing or sitting in a lotus flower. The lotus represents spirituality, self-understanding and success.
Lakshmi is shown with four hands, which represent the four goals of a Hindu’s life:
- dharma – or good conduct
- kama – longing or desire in life
- artha – earning money legitimately
- moksha – liberation from birth and death (samsara)
Parvati
Parvati is the wife of Shiva. She is depicted as seated high in the Himalayas by Shiva’s side. Parvati represents the continuity of life. Parvati is a form of Brahman also known as Shakti. The name Shakti refers to the power that continually brings the universe into existence. Therefore, this power is thought of as feminine. Shiva and Shakti rely on each other. Neither one can fully exist without the other. They are twin features of the one Brahman.
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