Tuesday 4 December 2012

Why Brahma is not Worshiped

Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva) are known as trinity gods in Hinduism. Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the savior and maintainer, and Shiva is the destroyer.  Vishnu or other form of Vishnu is worshiped widely, and various temples are dedicated to him. Shiva, even though he is the destroyer, is worshipped more widely, and uncountable temples are dedicated to Him. Although, Brahma is the creator of the Jiva and universe, he is not worshiped widely, very few temples are dedicated to Brahma; one famous temple “Pushkar temple” is dedicated to him which is in Rajasthan. Why this prejudice with the creator? As per his work, he should be worshiped more widely than any other gods and goddesses.

According to the Pouranic legends, Brahma sprang out from the lotus, which was sprouted out from the naval of lord Vishnu. Brahma and Vishnu started fight over the supremacy on other. During this fight a giant and infinite Linga, the phallus, appeared before them. They stopped their fight, and they put condition that whoever be the first to find the extreme of this Linga would be greater. Vishnu went downwards and Brahma upwards. The Linga was infinite. In the lust to be greater, Brahma lied that he had found the extreme of the Linga. On this lie, Shiva cursed Brahma not to be worshiped, and Vishnu would be the eligible to be worshiped. Other legend-- Brahmarshi Bhrigu cursed him because when he went to Brahma to invite him for a Yagna he was deeply immersed in the music played by Saraswati and couldn't hear Bhrigu's calls.

Lord Shiva had assigned the work to Brahma to create Jiva and universe. In the process of his creation, he created Shatarupa, she had ethereal beauty. Brahma enamored by her ethereal beauty. He stopped every work but gazing at her. She was scared by the abnormal behavior of her creator. She ran left, one extra head at the left side got sprouted, she ran right, and one more extra head got sprouted at the right side. She went his back; one more extra head got sprouted at the back. She stated flying up; one more head at the top got sprouted. With all five heads and ten eyes, Brahma was inexorably ogling at her.

In desperation, Shatarupa asked for help. Lord Shiva appeared at the site and decapitated Brahma`s fifth head. Then Brahma realized his actual duty to create the world. Saraswati (Shatarupa) became his Shakti, the power, to create the universe. The four Vedas (Rig, Saama, Ayur and Atharva) came from his four mouths. His fifth head was top of all the four heads. The fifth head is beckoning Brahma`s ego, proudness and attachment to his creation. And he kept his ego, proudness and attachment on the top of all other knowledge Vedas and his prescribed duty. Hence Shiva decapitated his fifth head only.  Brahma symbolizes voluntary force, a small, transient and totally controllable force, best suited for experiments. Thus, Brahma is ideal god for creation of a new life, after our life is devastated completely.  If the power of creation is used recklessly it would result in creation of a secret demonic parallel life.

From the above legends, we can deduce that Brahma lied for  getting  better position and prove him greater. He ignored Bhrigu's calls, became too much arrogant and attached to his own creation. These qualities are of the Jivatma (living being). By these qualities, Brahma is tantamount to Jivatma; hence he is not suitable to be worshiped. That is why Vedanta says – everyone has capacity to create himself. A Brahma (creator), is hidden in everyone`s mind.  Aham Brahmashi, tat tvam asi.


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