The god Brahma who created the universe and its living creatures

Brahma, the god in India who created the world.

In Hindu mythology , the god Brahma is the representation of the concept of Brahman (the universal spirit present in everyone). More simply, this divinity creates the universe, the gods, the Rishis and men after having seen the light of day in a lotus flower or in a golden egg. This member of the Trimurti is the husband of Sarasvati, the goddess of the arts, wisdom and knowledge. She represents his shakti, that is to say his energy. Brahma , a character with 4 faces is present in the Puranas and the Brahmanas (texts of the rituals of Brahman). His 4 heads are at the origin of the Brahma Mudra , providing relaxation of the cervicals. Discover this god in Hinduism who, although he contributed to the world, is not venerated.

Who is the Hindu god Brahma?

Like Shiva and Vishnu, Brahma is part of the Trimurti (cycles of the universe), as the creator god of the world. Personifying the concept of brahman , he shows that the divine is in each of us and in all things. He is the first Hindu deity created, so he named Indra (Shiva) as king of the gods. Considered as the Prajapati , he is the father of the 7 Rishis (sages), men, gods ( devas ) and demons ( asuras ), but especially of Manu, ancestor of humans. From this god of Hinduism were also born Nârada, Vasishtha and Atri, his children. It should be known that when Brahma has finished his creation process, he no longer intervenes, except on rare occasions.

According to the Puranas, Brahma in Hinduism was born from a lotus flower that sprang from the navel of Vishnu. Others say that he appeared in a golden egg, and even that he is the son of Brahman engendered to populate the earth.

Living in Brahmapura, on Mount Meru, this character from Hindu legend is accompanied by his mount representing a swan ( hamsa ).

The famous representation of Brahma

The deity Brahma is traditionally represented sitting on a lotus wearing a white or black beard, symbol of his wisdom as well as the infinite process of creation. He then has 4 heads each reciting a Veda and 4 arms. His 4 faces show at the same time:

• The functioning of thought with the ego ( ahamkara ), the intellect ( buddhi ), the mind ( manas ) and the conditioned consciousness ( citta ),
• The 4 cardinal points,
• Or the 4 Vedas.

In his hands, this god of India holds:

• A sacrificial spoon ( sruk or sruva ),
• A pot he used when creating the universe ( kamaṇḍalu ),
• A book symbolizing the Vedas ( pustaka ),
• A rosary that symbolizes the cycles of time, whose beads represent the elements that Brahma uses to create the world ( aksamala ).

Deities of Hinduism: The legend surrounding the god Brahma

The most famous legend tells that when Brahma, the god of Hindu mythology , created the world, he divided himself into two to engender the goddess Sarasvati (also called Shatarupa), the divinity with a hundred magnificent forms. The latter fell madly in love. Although Sarasvati moved in various directions to escape the gaze of the Hindu god , Brahma created 4 heads to continue to follow her with his eyes (one for the 4 cardinal points). But, the goddess could not avoid him on earth. So she headed towards the sky. It was then that the Hindu divinity added another head, this time upwards. However, Shiva (god of destruction), for whom it was indecent to be in love with one's own creation, burned this fifth face. As penance, Brahma recited the 4 Vedas. In addition, the destroyer declared that the god of Hindu legend would not have a place of worship. However, there are a few temples dedicated to Brahma like in Pushkar (Rajasthan).

The symbolism of Brahma in yoga

Just like Shiva with his dancer posture , Brahma is also present in yoga. Thus, among the types of practice, Brahma Yoga is one of them. Through the performance of asanas and breathing exercises (Pranayama), this art helps you to awaken, while putting your mind on mute. It is a moment of internalization to connect the body and the mind!

That's not all! The Brahma mudra also called the Brahma gesture is a movement bringing relaxation and releasing tension in the cervical vertebrae. Sitting comfortably on your yoga mat and meditation cushion , this exercise consists of gently turning your head to the right, left, up and down while emitting sounds, for 6 to 9 cycles.

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