God Brahma: Description and Origin

Man has been determined by faith since ancient times. Religion unites many peoples, promotes their development, becomes the basis of culture, creates moral principles and teachings. Even at the first stages of human existence, faith was inseparable from consciousness. Giving names to the gods, creating the rules by which people should live, performing rituals and rituals, the first person laid the foundations of religions, which subsequently were divided into many directions. It can not be said that one faith is good, and the second can not reflect the truth, for everyone sees the world in their own way, and this can not be a source of condemnation. In India, the divine Trinity is known: the god Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The first of them is the creator of the universe. The word "brahma," or "brahma," is translated from Sanskrit as "priest" and bears the beginning of all beginnings.

Brahma - the first Indian god

Many studies show that the cult of Brahma was central to Hinduism only in the period of pre-war. Later, he was replaced by the teachings of Shiva and Vishnu. The reason for this was the popularization of the Shakti concept. According to her, every god has his own Power or Shakti - the spouse and the main inspirer, and it is the connection with this Shakti that creates the world. In this regard, the god Brahma, which symbolizes the creation of the universe, is not needed. It should be noted that the Vedic period is characterized by a rethinking view of this god. The idea of the creator of all things did not die, because his place was taken by God the Father - Vishvakarmane (he has four hands from different sides). It is believed that he is the prototype of Brahma in the Puritan doctrine. The idea of this god was formed not one century and was subject to constant changes. Brahma remained a central god in Hinduism for a long time, which changed only after the arrival of Islam.

Iconography

God Brahma, whose description gives exactly the iconography, acquires many kinds. Usually it is depicted with four faces and four hands. His hair looks sloppy, in some kind of chaos, a pointed beard. As a cloak, the god Brahma uses the skins of a black antelope, which creates a contrast between the white color of his clothes. Pictured on a chariot with seven swans or on a lotus, he holds a vessel with water and a rosary. He meditates, and therefore his eyes are covered. In this case, there are many more different ideas about how this deity looks. For example, the color of his skin on some images can be gold, on others - red, the chariot can be harnessed with geese, and not swans. In some of his personifications one can see a halo. Brahma is almost always portrayed as bearded and is the only god in Hinduism with such a feature, although there are exceptions to this point.

The states of Brahma

There is a classification of the states in which Brahma may dwell. The first was called yogic, and in it this deity appears in the majesty of his spirit and his achievements. He radiates complete self-satisfaction. It is in the first state that it is valuable for ascetics and ascetics. The second is called bhoga and has a more secular character. The usual form of Brahma, natural attributes, one or more wives is characteristic of the laity. In the third state (vira), this god personifies valor and is revered by kings and warriors. Abhicharika - the fourth type of Brahma - is the image of a hard and awesome god. Such a formidable state is characteristic of those who want to get rid of their ill-wishers.

Character Attributes

Brahma can be recognized by its attributes. The most famous feature is the presence of faces. They designate the directions of the world and have their names: north - Atharva Veda, west - Samavede, east - Rigveda, south - Yajurveda. Four hands also symbolize these directions. In one of them, Brahma holds a container of water. This is because the basis of the world is kamandala (water), which is inherent in all the creations of Brahma. The rosary in the second hand is time that can not be eternal. Swans or geese who move the chariot with Brahma are the personification of lokas (worlds). The earth is represented by a lotus, which is born from the navel of Vishnu.

The origin of the heads of Brahma

The Indian god Brahma is considered the creator of the material universe, which itself originated from the lotus and has no maternal connections with other deities. After birth, he created the eleven ancestors of mankind - Prajapati. Seven Sapta-rsi - his chief assistants in the creation of the earth, were created from the mind and became his sons. From his own body, the god Brahma created a woman who later became known by many names - Gayatri, Satarupa, Brahmani, etc. He succumbed to the feeling of love and was amazed at the beauty of his daughter. When she turned away from him to the left, Brahma could not stop admiring her, and so the second head was born. When she turned again and again from him, another face appeared. Then she went up, and Brahma created the fifth head.