Hindu Mythology

Brahma - W J Wilkins

BRAHMA is regarded as the Supreme Being, the God of gods; of whom Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva are manifestations. It is true that, in some verses of the Vedas, attributes ascribed to him are also ascribed to other deities, and in some of the Puranas various gods are said to be identical with the supreme Brahma; nevertheless Brahma is regarded by the Hindus (for which opinion there is abundant authority in their scriptures) as the Supreme God –– the origin of all the others, and of whom they are manifestations. Thus, we read in the "Atharva-Veda": "All the gods are in (Brahma) as cows in a cow-house. In the beginning Brahma was this [universe]. He created gods. Having created gods, he placed them in these worlds viz., Agni in this world, Vayu in the atmosphere, and Surya in the sky. And in the worlds which are yet higher, he placed the gods which are still higher. Then Brahma proceeded to the higher sphere [which is explained by the commentator to mean the Satyaloka, the most excellent and limit of all the worlds]. The gods were originally mortal; but when they were pervaded by Brahma, they became immortal." In the "Taittiriya Brahmana" it is said: "Brahma generated the gods, Brahma (generated) this entire world. Within him are all these worlds. Within him is this entire universe. It is Brahma who is the greatest of beings. Who can vie with him? In Brahma, the thirty-three gods; in Brahma, Indra and Prajapati; in Brahma all things are contained as in a ship."

Prof. Monier Williams says:- "Only a few hymns of the Vedas appear to contain the simple conception of one divine self-existent, omnipresent being; and even in these, the idea of one god present in all nature is some what nebulous and undefined." Further, on he says: "In the Purusha Sukta of the Rig-Veda, the one spirit is called Purusha. The more common name in the later system is Brahman, neuter (nom. Brahma), derived from the root brih, ‘to expand,’ and denoting the universally expanding essence, or universally diffused substance of the universe …. Brahman, in the neuter, being ‘simple infinite being’ –– the only real eternal essence –– which, when it passes into actual manifested existence, is called Brahma; when it develops itself in the world, is called Vishnu; and when it again dissolves itself into simple being, is called Siva; all the other innumerable gods and demi-gods being also mere manifestations of the neuter Brahman, who is eternal."

© `Hindu Mythology’ by W J Wilkins, published (2001) by Rupa & Co. 7/16, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi 110 002.

<<Back