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TRIMURTI

There is only one true God in hinduism and that is Brahman. Brahman is believed to be in everyone and the Gods and Goddesses are all different aspects of Brahman. The three main aspects of Brahman are represented as the Gods: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. 

Brahma

 

 Brahma is the creator of the world. He has 4 heads, 4 arms and uually holding a scripture. It is believed that from these four heads came the Vedas an ancient scripture. It is also believed that the caste system came fromdifferent parts of Brahmas's body.  

 

 Out of the trimurti Brahma is the least worshipped and only has two temples devoted to him in India. One of the reasons for this is: One day Brahma created a woman to help him, she was called Shatarupa . Shatarupa was so beautiful that Brahma became obsessed with her so much that he gazed at her wherever she went. Shatarupa became extremely embarassed by this that she tried to hide. So whatever direction she moved Brahma sprouted a head until he had four. Shatarupa became irritated and tried to jump to avoid his gaze but Brahma sprouted a fifith head! Some people say that Shatarupa had to resort to changing form. So she became every creature on earth but Brahma just turned into the male equivalent of whatever she was. Vishnu said Brahma's behaviour was 'unholy' so he chopped off his fifth head and banned everyone from worshipping him.

 

 

Vishnu

 

Vishnu's job is to preserve the Earth. This means he has to fix it in times of trouble or renew the balance between good and bad.  Vishnu has been incarnated nine times and people believe he will be reincarnated one more time close to the end of the world. 

 

Vaishnava are the worshippers of Vishnu.They consider Vishnu the greatest god and they think other gods and goddesses are demi gods.

 

In the Rig Veda Vishnu is mentioned a vast amount of times. He is normally linked with light and particulary the sun. In texts earlier on Vishnu isn't considered one of the seven solar gods but, later on he is mentioned as leading them. Vishnu is now regarded as the  ost important of all gods.

 

Vishnu is blue, has four arms and is usually holding four objects which represent his jobs. 

  • The conch: represents the ancient sound of creation.

  • The chakra: symbolises the mind.

  • The lotus flower: meaning glorious existence and liberation.

  • The mace: represents mental and physical strength.

Shiva

 

Shiva is the destroyer and his wife is Parvati. It is believed that Shiva's powers of destruction and recreation are still used now to banish the illusions and imperfections of the world.  According to beliefs of hinduism the destroying of the world is not by chance it's constructive. Therefore Shiva is seen as the source for good and bad and is seen as the one who combines very many different elements. 

 

Shiva has a blue face and blue throat but should have a white body although is usually in images with a blue body. Shiva's other features include:

  • A third eye: means wisdom

  • A cobra necklace: signifies Shiva's power over the most dangerous animals.

  • The vibhuti: the vibhuti are three lines drawn with white ash on the forehead.  It represents his power and wealth.

  • The trident: It represents the three functions of the trimurti.

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