Brahma- The Creator

Brahma- The Creator

Lord Brahma is endowed with the
duty of creating, thus he is known as the Creator. He is typically called as the Naanmugan which means four faces because he is known to have four faces. He is depicted as such as a symbol of a wide-ranging four square capacity: The four Vedas, the four yugas/ kaalas (ages), the four varnas ( social classes), the four directions and the four stages of life (Ashrama : 1. Brahmachari - the Student
2. Grihastha - the Householder
3. Vanaprastha - the Forest Dweller
4. Sanyasi - the Homeless).

Brahma originating from Vishnu's navel

He is usually shown with four arms holding the sacred texts of Vedas, a mala (rosary beads) symbolizing time, sometimes either a lotus or a ladle to feed sacrificial fire and a kamandalu - a utensil with water to show where all creation originates from.

It is believed that Lord Brahma originated from Lord Vishnu's navel. He is usually found to be seated on a lotus and his mount is a swan or goose. He lives in Satyalogam with his wife, Goddess Saraswathi, who is worshipped as the Goddess of Learning, the Arts and Wisdom.

Brahma has very few temples dedicated to him due to an argument which involved both Vishnu and Shiva as well.

The Lie which made Brahma lose his right

On Vaikunda Ekathesi which is an auspicious day for Lord Vishnu, all the Devas usually visit Lord Vishnu at Vaikundam to get his blessings. However one Vaikunda Ekathesi, Lord Brahma decided not to visit him but wanted him to come to his residence, Satyalogam. Despite many pleas from Goddess Saraswathi, Lord Brahma was adamant and arrogantly stayed put.

Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva then decided to pay a visit to Lord Brahma to find out the real issue.  Lord Brahma then argued that he is the first of the Trimurti since if he doesn't create a being, there is no work for the other two lords. Thus, He should be worshipped first, even by Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Just then, Lord Shiva stepped in and offered to have a competition. The competition was to see the top of Lord Shiva's head at his fullest form. Both the Lords agreed and thus Lord Shiva grew bigger in size.

He grew so tall that he grew even taller than the Universe. Lord Vishnu decided to stop growing taller with Lord Shiva and decided to turn into a wild boar. He dug the ground with his tusks to find Lord Shiva's feet. Once he found it, he touched them. Lord Shiva startled by someone touching his feet looked down at the wild boar.

He was shocked at Lord Vishnu sitting at his feet. Lord Brahma on the other hand had given up too by now but while growing taller he saw Thalam poo (A kind of flower which was used to worship Lord Shiva).  Lord Brahma asked where was she coming from, and she mentioned from Lord Shiva's head. "So you have seen Lord Shiva's head, haven't you?" Brahma asked, to which she agreed.

Thalam Poo- Chempa Flower

So Brahma told her " Listen , I need you to do me a favour. I would bring you to Satyalogam, Lord Vishnu , Lord Shiva and Goddess Saraswathi are there. In front of them, tell them that you saw me at the head of Shiva's." After much negotiation, Thalam Poo agreed.

However, the Lords and Goddess knew that Lord Brahma was lying. Thus Lord Shiva cursed Thaalam Poo that she will never be used again for the prayers of Lord Shiva and that Lord Brahma may not be prayed at one of the Supreme gods.

Lord Brahma realised his mistake and apologised to both the gods, thus regaining his identity, but he was cursed to never be prayed so prominantly thus having very few temples dedicated to him on Earth.