In this edition, I’d like to concentrate on the Trinity, also known as Trimurti or the triad.  Our Hindu religion’s sages mentioned three types of gunas: Raja guna, Satva guna, and Tama guna. The Trimurti is in charge of these three Gunas.

The Trimurti

• Brahma -Creator – In charge of Raja guna-  trait of passion
• Vishnu – the maintainer/preserver – in charge of satva guna- trait of goodness
• Shiva-the destroyer- in charge of Tama guna-trait of ignorance.

In our Hindu mythology, there is also a notion of the Trinity in Sanskrit tri-three, murthi – figure. These three figures combine and make the supreme cosmic spirit, which we call Brahman, which is genderless. The Rig Veda, which is the oldest scripture in Hinduism, initiated the three deities. We referred to them as Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara. Each one of the deities is in charge of one creation. The Brahma creator, Vishnu – maintainer, Shiva – the destroyer.

I bow my head with reverence and recite Trimurti sloka before I depict each of the forms of Trimurti.   

            गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः।

             गुरुः साक्षात परं ब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरुवे नमः।

Meaning: Brahma is considered our guru, who is the creator of the universe,and shares knowledge and wisdom with us. In the same way, Vishnu is also the guru who is the preserver of this entire universe. In the same way, he nurtures the knowledge of his shiva. Shiva is also the guru who destroys the sins of the entire world, just as he destroys our ignorance and gives us new hope and life.

Brahma – The Creator

He is the creator of the universe, i.e., gives life force and wisdom to his creations. He is represented by many symbols. His four heads refer to four Vedas ( Rigveda, Sama Veda, Yagur Veda, and Atharv Veda). Four hands refer to four directions, the beads in the mala refer to the process of creation, the book symbolizes knowledge, the mount swan symbolizes grace, the crown symbolizes the supreme authority; the lotus, which symbolizes living essence and nature, the white beard symbolizes wisdom.

Vishnu-Maintainer/Preserver

Lord Vishnu is the preserver of all living essences in the universe.  He is depicted with four arms, holding a lotus, a mace, Shanka, and Chakra. He has supremacy over the past, present, and future. He has maximal knowledge about all human beings simultaneously. He has the autonomous power to make it impossible to make it possible. He was reincarnated as Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. He reincarnated in different forms. Every time evil tries to win over good and disrupts the balance of life by causing chaos. He maintains and preserves the universal order. Many people hold the belief that he is the supreme God.

Shiva-The Destroyer

He plays a key role in maintaining peace in the universe. He is known as the destroyer. He is also known for his anger, which is called “Tandava.” although he mostly depicts it in the form of a meditating sage or Nataraj’s cosmic dance. He is frequently depicted in a youthful form because he has supreme authority over rebirth, death, and immortality, and he will bestow Moksha on anyone who desires it. He is the father of Lord Ganesha. The majority population worships him, and he receives prayers from the devout. In Kartika Masam, he receives pujas and abhiseka. For many Hindus, he is the supreme God and the only creator, preserver, destroyer, revealer, and concealer.

Trimoorthi temples in India

• Baroli Trimurti temple
• Elephant caves
• Prambanan Trimurti temple
• Thripaya Trimurti temple
• Thirmoorthy Hills.

These are a few temples where Trimurthy is actively worshipped by devotees.

Content Specific Keywords: brahma shiva vishnu trimurti devi, are brahma vishnu and shiva the same, difference between brahma vishnu and shiva, who came first shiva vishnu or brahma, what are brahma vishnu and shiva called, who is more powerful brahma vishnu or shiva, trimurti hindu, brahma vishnu shiva, brahma vishnu and shiva story, why is the trimurti important in hinduism, brahma vishnu and shiva are the three main gods of what, trimurti symbol, brahma vishnu shiva religion, who created trimurti.