Brahma

 Origin: Hinduism

Title: Creator God

Attributes:

• Appearance: Often depicted with four faces, symbolizing his omniscience, and four arms, each holding items symbolizing various aspects of human life. He may carry a water pot (Kamandalu), a rosary (Mala), a book (Vedas), and sometimes a lotus.
• Vehicle: His mount is a swan (Hamsa) or goose, symbolizing the discrimination between good and evil.

Mythology:

• Creation: Brahma is part of the Hindu trinity (Trimurti) alongside Vishnu (the preserver) and Shiva (the destroyer). He is traditionally credited with the creation of the universe and all living beings.
• Emergence: Brahma is said to have emerged from a lotus that grew from the navel of Vishnu. This act of creation is one of the most iconic representations in Hindu mythology.
• Role in Cosmos: His role is to create the universe, which he does by manifesting from the cosmic egg (Hiranyagarbha).

Symbols:

• Lotus: Signifies purity, creation, and the unfolding of the universe from the cosmic ocean.
• Water Pot: Represents the cosmic waters from which life emerges.
• Vedas: He holds the sacred texts, indicating his role as the source of knowledge and wisdom.

Worship: Unlike other major deities in Hinduism, Brahma does not have widespread worship dedicated specifically to him. Temples devoted to Brahma are relatively rare, with one of the most famous being the Brahma Temple in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.

Legends:

• Creation of Saraswati: He is believed to have created the goddess Saraswati from his own essence, emphasizing his role as the creator not just of the universe but also of wisdom, learning, and music.
• Conflict with Shiva: There are tales where Brahma's pride leads to conflicts, particularly with Shiva, culminating in stories where one of his five heads is removed as a lesson.

Cultural Impact: While not as popularly worshipped as Vishnu or Shiva, Brahma's significance in Hindu cosmology as the creator god remains profound. He is invoked in rituals and prayers concerning creation, knowledge, and the inception of new ventures.

Interesting Fact: Despite his role as creator, Brahma's worship is less prevalent due to myths where he was cursed by sages or gods for various reasons, including vanity, which led to the decline in his direct worship.