The Symbolism of Lord Brahma
Among the Hindu Trinity Lord Brahma is one among Vishnu and Shiva Lord Brahma is the Lord of Creation who represents the universal mind as creation is the work of the mind and the intellect. He is the generator of life on earth, a role which he performed by creating eleven ‘Prajapatis’ for fathering human race.
Birth of Lord Brahma:
Theologically, he is the uncreated creator and the self-born first person. Brahma is the son of God, and often referred to as Prajapati. The Shatapatha Brahman says that Brahma was born of the Supreme Being Brahman and the female energy known as Maya. Wishing to create the universe, Brahman first created the water, in which he placed his seed. This seed transformed into a golden egg, from which Brahma appeared. For this reason Brahma is also known as Hiranyagarbha.
Brahma presides over ‘Brahmaloka,’ a universe that contains all the splendors of the earth and all other worlds. Mythology describes Brahma as springing from a Lotus from the navel of Vishnu.
Brahma is often depicted as having long white beard. Brahma has four heads represents the four Veda as Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda. Brahma is shown sitting on a blue lotus flower and moves around on a white swan, possessing the magical ability to separate milk from a mixture of water and milk. Brahma holds a rosary in his upper right hand, a book in the upper left hand, a kamandalu (water pot) in the lower left hand and bestows grace with his lower right hand. He carries no weapon in his hands.
His wife Goddess Saraswati manifested out of him and all creatures of the world resulted from their union.
Brahma created Manasputras to help him in the creation of universe, he gave birth to the 11 forefathers of the human race called ‘Prajapatis’ and the seven great sages or the ‘Saptarishi’. These children or mind-sons of Brahma, who were born out of his mind rather than body.
Brahma’s life is divided in one thousand cycles or ‘Maha Yugas’.
Why lord not worshipped on earth:
According to Sanskrit literature one of the metaphoric story includes the one where lord Shiva is supposed to have cursed Brahma that he shall not be worshiped on Earth.
But the true idealistic reason why Brahma is not worshiped like the other deities is since worship involves faith that means accepting supremacy of someone without questioning. Brahma, on the other hand, represents true knowledge. Ritualistic worship of Brahma who is an embodiment of the true knowledge would have been a philosophical contradiction.
By chanting the Brahma Mantra helps us to fulfill the four aims of life righteousness, Prosperity, Pleasures and Liberation. Brahma Mantras are also good for those who wish to gain knowledge.