________________
HINDU ICONOGRAPHY
BRAHMĀ
THE HINDU Triad comprises Brahma, Vishnu and Siva-Creator, Protector, and Destroyer, representing the creative, preservative and destructive energies of God. Brahma embodies 'Rajo- guna,' the quality of passion or desire, the cause of creation. Siva is the embodiment of the 'Tamo-guna,' the attribute of darkness, and the destructive fire by which the world is consumed. Vishnu is the embodiment of 'Sattva-guna,' the property of mercy and goodness, by which the world is preserved.
Creation began with the Universal Spirit wishing to multiply itself, prompted by Desire. Out of Käma or Desire came forth the primeval male god Brahmă, who created the three worlds and all life. But the act of creation involves the acts of preservation and dissolution, hence the need for a Protector-God Vishnu, and a Destroyer- God Siva. These three gods, charged with the tasks of creation, preservation and dissolution, constitute the primary group of deities. Around these has grown the great system of Hindu gods and goddesses with all their countless ramifications.
Kamalasana since he sits on the lotus which springs from the navel of Vishnu. He is called "four-headed."
In the Vedic period, Brahmå was not an important god. The idea of the Creator was present, but this creator was not yet identified with Brahmă.
The Rig Veda speaks of Vishvakarman. He is God the Father. He has heads in all the four directions. The Puranic Brahmă probably originated from Vishvakarman. It is interesting to note that Vishvakarman was related to the sun, since the rays of the sun were considered beneficial to human life and creation. In one hymn, the Rig Veda mentions Prajāpati as Creator. That is why later when Brahmă came to be considered the Creator, he was identified with the Rig Vedic Prajāpati.
In the Sutra literature Prajapati and Brahma become synonymous.
In the Rig Veda, Hiranya-garbha is mentioned as the cause of Creation. So Brahmă became Hiranya-garbha.
In Purăņic literature, Brahma is called Creator. He is said to have created Prajāpatis (their number and names are different in different Puranas) for the purpose of creation. Thus Brahmă became the Grandfather Pitāmaha.
He fell in love with his own daughter named variously Såvitri, Brahmäni, Sarasvati, etc., and became one with her. To look at her wherever she turned he got four faces in the four directions and the fifth on top. This is apparently a
ICONOGRAPHY (Pls. 1-4)
Brahma is one of the important gods of the Hindu pantheon. Brahman is the cause of creation. Brahmå is the creator. He is called Svayambhù-self-born. In the beginning he was the Hiranya-garbha-the Golden Germ. He is called Pitamaha- the Great Father. He is called
26
