Trimurti
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Trimurti ( Sanskrit त्रिमूर्ति Trimūrti ; "three forms") is a concept of Hinduism that combines the three cosmic functions of creation, maintenance and destruction or transformation, through the illustration of the great gods Brahma as the creator, Vishnu as the preserver, Representing Shiva as the destroyer. The Trimurti symbolizes the origin of all divine effects in a unity, since the three aspects are mutually dependent and complement one another; it represents the formless Brahman and expresses the creating, sustaining and destroying aspects of this highest being.
presentation
The Trimurti is represented either by the three gods side by side, as a single figure with three heads or in a three-headed figure with six arms, which shows the now personally imagined Brahma with a water jug and prayer beads, Vishnu with throwing disc and shell and Shiva with his trident and the small double drum ( damaru ).
Another representation of this Trimurti is Dattatreya , also called Datta-Atreya ( Datta , son of Atri ). He embodies the eternally youthful manifestation of the divine three-unity of Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva. Accordingly, he is shown with three faces and can often be seen in the company of dogs.
meaning
The Trimurti is often explained by Indian philosophers from the three Gunas , the basic causes of the effects and activities:
- Tamas means ignorance, indolence, spiritual darkness and are assigned to Shiva, who destroys them;
- Rajas , activity, passion and new beginnings, is associated with Brahma;
- Sattva means clarity, goodness and harmony and is associated with Vishnu.
The Gunas are assigned colors: black for Tamas , red for Rajas and white for Sattva . Similarly, the Trimurti is assigned the elements earth (Brahma), water (Vishnu) and fire (Shiva).
The Trimurti is the conceptual unit of the three-sided cosmic principle, similar to the Christian trinity , and not a triad, i.e. not three different deities belonging together, as known from most polytheistic mythologies . The Christian concept of the Trinity with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit differs from the Hindu in interpretation and religious philosophy.
Tridevi
Shakti worshipers, the followers of the female form of God, also know a female Trimurti, called Tridevi , with Saraswati the creator, Lakshmi the preserver and Kali the destroyer.
See also
literature
- Anneliese and Peter Keilhauer: The Imagery of Hinduism. The Indian world of gods and their symbolism. DuMont, Cologne 1986, ISBN 3-7701-1347-0 .
- Wolfgang Bauer, Irmtraud Dümotz, Sergius Golowin: Lexicon of symbols. Marix-Verlag, 2001, ISBN 3-937715-60-6 .
- Walter Slaje: Trimūrti. To transform an inclusive concept of dominance into a monotheistic doctrine of the Trinity. (AWL. Treatises of the humanities and social science class. 2012.4). Stuttgart 2012. ISBN 978-3-515-10318-3 .
