Brahma Trimrti

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The first appearance taken on by the Absolute in the Trimurti, the ‘triple form of the divine’, is Brahma, the god whose task was to emanate the universe. Brahma is the senior god in the Hindu triad or Trimurti. While Vishnu is the preserver and Shiva the destroyer, Brahma is the creator. Many attributes of Vishnu were once attributed to Brahma. Despite his importance, there are no temples dedicated to this god. The four faces of the god allude to the spatial expansion of the cosmos, and they face towards the four points on the compass. Brahma is usually depicted with four heads, and four arms which may carry any of the following attributes: disc, ladle, sceptre, string of beads, bow, water jug, fly whisk, or the Vedas ( a collection of ancient hymns and verses sacred to Hinduism that originally emanated from the four mouth of Brahma). Brahma’s consort is Sarasvati, the goddess of learning. This couple is the subject of many Hindu tales and all knowledge, religious and secular, is thought to emanate from them. According to Hindu mythology, Sarasvati came forth from the essence of Brahma and all creatures of the world resulted from their union.The crown of pearls that clasp the tall topknots in the middle are a specific characteristic of Brahma, shown here in a replica of a 9/10th century statues from Phnom Bok, now in the Guimet Museum.