brahma

Brahma is a major Hindu god, the creator in the Trimurti with Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer. In most traditions his role is to create the universe and all beings, initiating the cosmic cycle, while Vishnu preserves and Shiva dissolves at the end of cycles. His status varies by sect, and he is widely worshipped less than Vishnu or Shiva.

Iconography: He is typically depicted with four faces and four arms, representing the four Vedas and directions. He holds a rosary, a book of the Vedas, a water pot, and a lotus. He is often shown with Saraswati, the goddess of learning, and sometimes mounted on a swan (hamsa). Some depictions show a single head due to regional variation.

Origins and legends: Brahma is said to originate at the creation of the world. In common myth, a lotus grows from Vishnu's navel and Brahma emerges, later creating the world and beings. In other accounts he arises from the cosmic Brahman, the universal principle. He is credited with shaping time and the order of creation and with setting in motion the cycles of existence.

Worship and cultural role: Temples dedicated to Brahma are relatively rare; the best known is the Brahma Temple at Pushkar, Rajasthan, a major pilgrimage site. His worship is more prominent in some regions and sects, and his consort is Saraswati. In literature he appears in the Puranas and epics, often in a secondary role to Vishnu or Shiva.

Note: Brahma is distinct from Brahman, the universal principle.