🪷 Brahma

Attributes & Domains

Mythology & Stories

Brahma is the creator deity of the Trimurti, born from the golden cosmic egg (Hiranyagarbha) or emerging from a lotus that grew from Vishnu's navel. His four faces recite the four Vedas continuously, and his four arms hold the implements of creation. Despite his crucial role, Brahma is rarely worshipped compared to Vishnu and Shiva, due to various myths explaining his curse.

Key Myths:

• Birth from the Golden Egg: At the beginning of creation, a golden egg (Hiranyagarbha) floated in the cosmic waters. After a thousand years, Brahma emerged from the egg and split it in two, creating heaven and earth. He then meditated to bring forth the material world, gods, demons, and all living beings.
• The Fifth Head: Originally, Brahma had five heads. When he became infatuated with his own creation, Shatarupa, and gazed at her inappropriately, Shiva became angry at this impropriety and cut off his fifth head with his trident. This is why Brahma now has four heads and why he is rarely worshipped - cursed by Shiva for his arrogance.
• The Race with Vishnu: Brahma and Vishnu once argued about who was supreme. A massive pillar of fire (Shiva's lingam) appeared before them. They agreed whoever found its end would be greater. Vishnu dove down as a boar, Brahma flew up as a swan. After searching in vain, Vishnu admitted defeat honestly, but Brahma lied, claiming he found the top. Shiva appeared and cursed Brahma to have no temples for his dishonesty.

Relationships

Family

• Parents: Self-born from Hiranyagarbha or born from Vishnu's navel lotus
• Consort: Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge, Arts, and Wisdom)
• Children: The Prajapatis (lords of creatures), Manu (first man), Four Kumaras (mind-born sons), Daksha, Narada
• Siblings: None (self-created), though part of Trimurti with Vishnu and Shiva

Allies & Dynamics

• Allies: Vishnu (Preserver), Saraswati (his consort and knowledge itself), The Devas (gods he created)
• Complex Relations: Shiva (who both protects and has cursed him), The Asuras (demons who challenge his creation)

Worship & Rituals

Sacred Sites

Due to his curse, Brahma has very few temples. The most famous is the Brahma Temple at Pushkar, Rajasthan, one of the only major temples dedicated to him in India. Other rare temples include Asotra village in Rajasthan and Khedbrahma in Gujarat. Most worship of Brahma occurs during creation-related ceremonies or when seeking knowledge and creativity.

Festivals

• Kartik Purnima: Full moon in Kartik month (October-November), celebrated especially at Pushkar with a grand fair and ritual bathing in Pushkar Lake.
• Vasant Panchami: While primarily dedicated to Saraswati, honors Brahma as lord of knowledge and learning.

Offerings

White flowers (especially lotus), fruits, milk, ghee, honey, and white sweets. Offerings of sacred texts, books, and writing implements. Vedic chants and hymns from the four Vedas. Water from the Pushkar lake is particularly sacred.

Prayers & Invocations

Brahma is invoked at the beginning of creative endeavors, studies, and new ventures. The Gayatri Mantra, while often associated with Savitri/Surya, is also linked to Brahma as the source of all knowledge. Specific mantras include "Om Brahmane Namaha" (salutations to Brahma) and verses from the Brahma Gayatri praising his four faces and creative power.

Primary Sources