Hinduism and Shiva

Trimurti literally means, “having three forms”, and refers to the gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. In Hinduism, the Trimurti reveals concepts of birth, life, and death and represents the Supreme Being. The Trimurti is portrayed as a three-headed figure with the faces and qualities of the three gods. This three-headed figure represents creation, preservation, and destruction, which are unified together to symbolize one Supreme Being. These three gods are equally essential for all aspects of life because nothing can be created, sustained, and destroyed without the consent of each god. The Trimurti alone can help answer vital questions dealing with cosmogony and eschatology as well. Although the individual Trimurti gods are unequal in recognition and worship, the meaning of the Trimurti has evolved from its origin and the role of the Trimurti in Hindu life and worship will forever be significant. It is revealed in the earliest Hindu beliefs that there have been triads used to explain the wonders of nature. These Hindu beliefs date back to 7200 BCE when the first hymns of the Rg Veda were created. Due to fear of upsetting natural spirits, people started to worship these simple, natural wonders. The earliest known triad in Hinduism consisted of Varuna, Mitra, and Aryaman (Carnoy). This triad embodied some basic aspects of nature such as the earth and sky, day and night, light and darkness. As time went on, old concepts were constantly replaced by new ideological beliefs and the gods that existed in the triad changed quite often. The triad of the early Vedic gods was then focused on Agni, Vayu, and Surya. Since gods for the sun and sky have been established, Hindu’s then went on to establish this triad to give praise to fire, air, and energy. While these praises seem simple and mundane, worshipping the fire god can bring warmth and heat, worshipping the god of air can minimize storms and strong winds, and worshipping the energy and life god can increase the amount of

Cited: W.J. Wildins. Hindu Worship. Indigo books. New Delhi, India. 2006 Chakravarti, Mahadev Kramrisch, Stella. The Presence of Śiva. Published by Princeton University Press. 1994.