Brahman 'Out of one come many'

Q. What does Chocolate taste like…?

Q1: Take two minutes, think about five of the different words you would use to describe yourself. Think of two (nice) words other people have used to describe you. Which one is the most important? Why? Do any of them determine who you think you really are?

Learning Intentions: We will further explore what Brahman is to Hindus We will begin to explore the Hindu idea of the Trimurti We will explore the connection between Brahman and the Trimurti.

Hindus believe in the oneness of the universe. They see all the different forms in the universe as being different aspects of Brahman - ultimate reality.

Because Hindus see Brahman as the essence of the entire universe they can only represent Brahman in a symbol: AUM

Aum is the most sacred symbol in Hinduism By sound and form it symbolizes the infinite It is said at the beginning and end of prayers.

AUM carries many different but connected meanings. One of the most important strands of meaning is the way it expresses Hindus' view of the universe as a never ending cycle... The A symbolises CREATION. The U symbolises PRESERVATION The M symbolises DESTRUCTION.

Can you think of an example where CREATION, PRESERVATION, and DESTRUCTION work together?

AUM also represents the Trimurti - The three gods which fulfil the cosmic functions of the universe.

What is the Trimurti? Hindus believe in one God – Brahman, who is in everything, and everyone. Since aspects of Brahmans personality cannot be understood by human beings – they are shown as Gods. Hindus believe Brahman has three main aspects. These are called the Trimurti. This means "three forms" of God. Although they might be understood as individual Gods in Hinduism, ultimately, they are all part of Brahman.

BRAHMA - The Creator

VISHNU - The Preserver

SHIVA - The Destroyer

The Trimurti are often portrayed as three heads connected to one body. Q. Why do you think this is?

Brahma You might expect Brahma - the creator - to be one of the most important deities in Hinduism. But although he is one of the three aspects of Brahman, he is not as popular as Vishnu, the preserver, or Shiva, the destroyer.

Four heads and four arms represent the points of the compass Vase for water from which the world was created Sceptre or spoon associated with sacrifice and priests Brahma's vehicle is a divine goose representing the ability to tell between good and evil and the need for justice for all. Bearded Reads from the Vedas, the Hindu Holy Books.

Vishnu - the Preserver Vishnu is the second, and probably most popular of the Hindu gods represented in the Trimurti

Vishnu's form is sometimes described as being beyond human perception But he can also be shown as blue skinned and having four arms, holding a mace, a conch, a lotus and chakra (wheel) His hood of snakes represents the eternal and infinite cycles of creation

The name Vishnu means to 'pervade' - i.e. be everywhere - or 'to take different forms'.

These ideas are combined in the concept of Vishnu's ten avatars

An AVATAR is a 'descent' or 'incarnation' of a deity for some special purpose. They take up a bodily form on Earth, sometimes human, in order to restore righteousness and order.

A bit like a superhero!!!

The Ten Avatars of Vishnu are: Matsya - the Fish Kurma - the Tortoise Varaha - the Boar Narasimha - Half-Man, Half-Lion Vamana - the Dwarf Parashurama - Rama with an Axe Rama - Prince and King of Ayodha Krishna - The Dark or Attractive One Buddha - the Enlightened One Kalki - The White Horse

Shiva – The Destroyer: Shiva has a third eye – which allows him to see everything in the universe. It is believed to be the source of his energy. His trident symbolises the Trimurti. His drum symbolises the sound “Aum” and the snakes around his neck symbolise his wisdom.

This is Shiva Nataraja, Lord of the dance. He is the cosmic dancer who performs his divine dance to destroy a weary universe and make preparations for Brahma to start the process of creation again. So his role as destroyer is not necessarily a negative one. Moreover, since Shiva is destroyer of everything, he also destroys evil. He is seen here dancing on the demon of ignorance that he has defeated. He is also the destroyer of wrongdoing, and upholder of justice.

Q: Which God in the Trimurti do you think is the most important? Why? Q2: Can you think of any words that might sum up what Brahman really is?