About Trimurti-Brahma Vishnu Shiva-Hindu Trinity

Trimurti or Trinity or Brahma Vishnu Shiva

The Hindu Trimurti is a Sanskrit word also called as Trinity-three forms an English word.

In Hinduism, there is a concept that the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified by the forms of Brahma Vishnu and Śhiva respectively.

In simple terms, Hindu Trinity means,
Lord Brahma - the creator,
Lord Vishnu – the sustainer or maintainer or preserver
Lord Shiva (Mahesh) – the destroyer or transformer

These three deities have been called as "The Hindu triad" or often as the "Great Trinity” and most often addressed as "Brahma-Vishnu-Maheshvar".

One kind of representation for the Trimurti or Trinity shows three heads on one neck and often even three faces on one head that each one looking in a dissimilar direction. Means Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva (Mahesh) had three head only in one body. 

The Hindu trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, as they performs the cosmic functions of the universe, they are also aligned as the surpassing,

The Godhead - Shiva,
The cosmic lord - Vishnu
The cosmic mind - Brahma.

In regarding this they are also called as “Sat-Tat-Aum”

The Being, the Thatness or immanence and the Word or Holy Spirit. This is similar or much likes the Christian trinity of God as the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

The Trinity (Trimurti) also represents the Divine in its threefold nature and function. Each feature of the Trimurti contains and includes the others.

Each God in the trinity-Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva has his consort.

For Brahma is Saraswati, considered as the Goddess of knowledge.
For Vishnu is Lakshmi, considered as the Goddess of delight, beauty and love.
For Shiva is Parvati (Kali), considered as the Goddess of transformation, power and destruction.

These are the three major forms of the Goddess, same as the as the three major forms of the God Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

The three Goddesses are often worshipped in their own right as well as along with their spouses (better half).

Prayer for Lord Vishnu-Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam

Lord Vishnu

Prayer for Lord Vishnu

shaanta-kaaram bhujaga-shayanam 

padma-naabham suresham
vishwa-dhaaram gagana-sadrisham

megha-varanam shubhaangam.
lakshmi-kaantam kamala-nayanam

yogi-bhi-dhyaana-agamyam
vande vishnum bhava-bhaya-haram 

sarva-lokaika-naatham
 
Meaning 

I adore Lord Vishnu
who is the embodiment of peace,
who lies on the Shesha serpent,
whose navel is the source of the Lotus,
whose complexion is swarthy like the clouds,
whose body shines with heavenly beauty,
who is the beloved of Goddess Lakshmi,
whose eyes are like Lotus,
who is meditated upon by the yogis,
who is the remover of the fear of the world-process.

Description 

I sing praise to Lord Vishnu.
He who has the peaceful (shaanta-)
    demeanor and visage (-kaaram).
He who sleeps and reposes (-shayanam)
    on the serpents (bhujaga-).
He who has a lotus shaped (padma-) navel (-naabham).
He who is the master and lord
    of all the gods (suresham).

I pray to the Lord Vishnu.
He who holds (-dhaaram) the
    universe (vishwaa-) in his hands.
He whose vision (-sadrasham) exceeds
    beyond all the skies (gagana-).
He whose color and visage (-varanam) is
    changeable like the clouds (megha-).
And he who is filled with goodness (shubh-)
    in every part (-aangam) of his body.

I sing praise to the Lord Vishnu.
He who is the husband (-kaantam)
    of the goddess of wealth (-lakshmi).
He whose eyes (-nayanam) are surreal
    like a lotus flower (kamala-).
And he who yogis yearn to reach (-agamyam)
    through meditation (-dhyaana).

I sing praises (vande-) to the Lord Vishnu (-vishnum).
He who removes (-haram) all our fears (-bhaya)
    due to our inborn nature (-bhava).
And he who is the master (-naatham) of the
    entire (-sarva) universe and creation (-lokaika).

To listen this prayer

Tenth Incarnation Vishnu-Kalki Avtar

Kalki Avtar

Story of Kalki Avtar

The KALKI Avatar is the tenth, last and great incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Lord Vishnu will be emerged as Kalki incarnation. Yet this incarnation is not appeared on the universe but it is expected that lord Vishnu will incarnate at the end of Kali yuga. The period which is currently exist, is Kali Yuga and will be ended when lord Vishnu will incarnate as Kalki and destroy the foulness.

In KALKI Avatar, Vishnu will be in the form of KALKI, the powerful machine-man with extra ordinary strength and will be looked as awesome man who will come in the pose of riding on his white horse with his blazing sword in his hands.

This all things are supposed that to be happened in a future means at the end of "Kali Yuga-present eon" incarnation of Lord Vishnu. As Lord Vishnu is the preserver, he will incarnate himself in a form of Kalki, destroy the evil spirits punishing them and again re-establish the golden age with the Dharma, order, truth and law.

Nineth Incarnation Vishnu-Buddha Avtar

Buddha Avtar

Story of Buddha Avtar

The BUDDHA ( Mahavir Buddha ) Avatar, the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu who emerged as BUDDHA in the Kali Yuga.   ''Buddha'' means 'the enlightened one' and he proved his name. He was the great abstainer in a form of prince who abdicated the coronation to lead the universe on the path of peace and became the founder of the BUDDHIST religion that well-known across the globe.

He was son of Suddhodana and Maya, born the crown prince of the Kapilavastu. He was named as “Siddhartha” means "All things fulfilled" by the king. After his birth in very short time his mother died. Fortunately Prajapati-the sister of Maya brought Siddhartha up.

Buddha was saddened by death of living creatures, since his days of childhood. He used to question: "Alas! Do all living creatures kill each other?" He wasn't satisfied with any answers that were given to him and he decided to find out the meaning and the absolute truth.

He taught and observed that all sorrow comes from attachments and desires, so it's better to curb all attachments in order to remain happy.

So one day he left his wife and child and decided to live as a hermit's life and went away in the forest and became the enlightened one. His sermoning spawned off the religion of Buddhism now admired across the whole world.

Lord Buddha is considered as a noble and a divine incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu in assured sects of Hinduism. 

Eighth Incarnation Vishnu-Krishna Avtar

Krishna Avtar

The Story of KRISHNA Avatar

KRISHNA Avatar, is the eighth incarnation Lord Vishnu with his brother “Balarama” in the form of cowherd as KRISHNA who had played a vital role as a central character in the epic MAHABHARATA in the era of “Dwaparyuga”. In the major epic of Indian legends a countless of topics are covered, including brotherhood, love, war, politics etc.

It is basically the story of two warring groups of cousin brothers, the PANDAVAs and the KAURAVAs. During the war, as a main part of the Mahabahrata, KRISHNA gives a long discussion to his disciple ARJUNA that communally termed as “Bhagvad-Gita” in that he repeated his words again as he is a preserver of the Universe.

He said,
“Whenever Dharma, the situation of law and order is endangered on this world, I incarnate onto this world to re establish Dharma, truth, law and order; protect the Sadhus, sages or saints and destroy the evil elements of the earth.”

During his child-hood, Krishna became a slayer of King Kansa.  As Krishna was so charm, he captivated to all by playing flute including Gopikaas that’s why he is considered to be an ultimate Playboy but he spread the message of love and humankind. Lord Krishna, the perfect incarnation of Lord Vishnu also famed as "Shyam" according his names meaning: Krishna-black as well as charming (attractive).

This was differ than Ramayan as Mahabharata conducts with more, down to the earth issues such as human weaknesses, politics, human nature and moreover does not effort to idealize the noble characters as in Ramayan.

Lord Krishna is the most worshiped deity and great incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Seventh Incarnation Vishnu-Rama Avtar

Rama Avtar

Story of Rama Avtar

Rama incarnation, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu who incarnated in a form of a great ideal King. He played a vital role as a main character in the epic Ramayana in the era of Tretayuga. The main purpose of this incarnation was to present the ideal character in every role such as an ideal person, an ideal son, an ideal husband, an ideal king.

Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, was the son of great king Dashrath and queen Kaushalya. Lord Vishnu was incarnated himself as RAMA to destroy the all demons (asura) main the King of Lanka (presently known as Shree Lanka)named Ravana-with ten head who had blessed with a boon from Brahma and also from some other celestial beings. Ravana had so proud of his power and illusion that no body can kill him and he was vainglorious by nature and wished to be vanquished or won by man.

In Tretayuga Lord Vishnu was in form of Rama and his consort (wife) Goddess Laxmi in form of Sita. In Ramayana, the story of war between a Demon Ravana and Lord RAMA is so exciting. Rama was banished by his step mother to a forest so he went away with her wife Sita and brother Laxmana.  As Ravana snatched Sita, Rama released her with Hanuman-his loyal devotee and Laxman-his brother by a war.  By this war he removed all evil elements from the Universe including the main Demon RAVANA. 

In Ramayana, the role of Shree Rama epitomises the ideal behavior of man. In this incarnation he focused on the relation of man-wife, son-father, son-mother, brother-brother, master-loyal sevak (servant) and main relationship between king-people (Raja-praja) with his rules for ideal governance as a king.

Lord Rama is one of the most famous gods in the Hindu religion as he was the mythical, fabulous and real King in the ancient India. He has given the message of equality, Hindu devotion and mainly the rules of Dharma.

Lord Vishnu's incarnation as Rama was really in ideal form.

Sixth Incarnation Vishnu-Parshuram Avtar

Parshuram Avtar

Story of Parshuram Avtar

PARASHURAMA Avatar, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu who incarnates himself as an angry brahmana or priest in the world.

PARASHURAMA was emerged in the universe for the exceptional purpose regarding to brahmans and kshatriyas. In Tretayuga, all kshatriyas had become very arrogant and were repressing the all brahmans, therefore he strong-willed to revenge and protect the all brahmans from Kshatriyas in the universe.

PARASHURAMA who was a son of saint Jamadagni and Renuka, belonged to the Brighu clan (gotra). He was a fervent devotee of Lord Shiva from whom he blessed with an axe after his strong penance (devotion) therefore Parashurama preferred to preserve an axe presented by Lord Shiva. Parashurama is immortal ( Chiranjeevi ).

One day when PARASHURAMA was not at home, Kartavirya-arjuna who was a powerful king, visited to Jamadagni's home with his army once. Saint Jamadagni welcomed them with loyal heart and fed them all by offering milk and foods through his divine cow-Kamadhenu and the King was satisfied with the meal. Jamadagni's cow-Kamadhenu was really almighty as it had the capability to provide endless food according to the desire.

When King Kartavirya-arjuna saw this miracle, he surprised and thought about to bring that cow into his palace. So he demanded to saint Jamadagni to take Kamdhenu with him but Saint Jamadagni refused as Kamdhenu was needed to him in his all religious ceremonies.  The king got angry and ordered his soldiers to snatch Kamadhenu cow which was supposed to give eternal quantity of milk and food.

Jamadagni was enraged as king’s soldiers took away Kamadhenu, therefore he brought Kamadhenu back by killing the King. When King’s son came to know this, he turned to Jamadagni’s home and killed him. On hearing this all things, Parashurama was much angered and went for revenge of his father’s death and killed the whole clan of Kartavirya-arjuna and all kshatriyas in 21 battles.

Parashurama who destroyed all the kings and got release all brahamans from suppression of kings, was really a great worrier and solid incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Fifth Incarnation Vishnu-Vamana Avtar

Vamana Avtar

Story of Vamana Avtar

VAMANA Avatar, the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu who emerged in a form of Dwarf priest ( Vaman-brahmin ) in the world and also known as Upendra.

In Tretayuga, a brave ruler named Bali who was so powerful demon was the grandson of Prahlada. King Bali was not only a valorous (bold) but also mightily demon (asura). King Bali had conquered the entire universe by his self-penance and power.

King Bali was the great ruler of the universe ( three worlds ) and inclined to continue his domination. Bali attempted to cement his image and place as a ruler; he conducted a grand ceremony in a series of yajnas ( sacrifice or prayer ).

Lord Indra and other gods feared about this as it would happen then King Bali and all demons (asuras) would conquer the entire universe means all the three worlds. Therefore he went to Lord Vishnu and requested to assist them.

As Lord Vishnu is the preserver of the universe, to get the rid from this trouble he incarnated himself as a Dwarf (Vamana) in the household of a priest (brahmana). He went to Bali’s place where he was performing his last yajna and asked for alms.

Though Bali was little confused about his look but was so delighted for the presence of such a saintly being. King said Vamana that anything for alms would be offered and fulfilled whatever he wished. Though his priest warned him that he was Lord Vishnu in that form and also got aware about the tangle of Lord Vishnu but he didn’t move a little from his offer.

Vamana then asked for the quantity of land about his three feet only. First Bali laughed for his proposal but then agreed gracefully. Asuraguru Sukracharya got angered and again warned King Bali that Vamana was MahaVishnu in reality and he came again to defeat all demons (asuras) in race but King invoked his and agreed for Vaman’s alms. 

In no time, God Vishnu grew in size and covered the entire earth in one feet and heaven in two feet (strides). And then asked about where he covered his third feet. King Bali assured him for alms whatever his desire therefore due to the lack of space and in order to keep his promise, he offered his head for third feet.  Then Vamana put his third leg on Bali’s head and defeated him totally and this way Lord Vishnu helped the Gods out.

Vamana pleased by his strong determination and keeping his promise and then took his actual form of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu named him as “King Mahabali” as he was great soul (Mahatma). Lord Vishnu ordered him to go back to the spiritual sky (means the Patal loka or underground world) and declared that King Mahabali would rule over the Universe in subsequent Yuga. 

The fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu as a Dwarf (Vamana) was really great.

Forth Incarnation Vishnu-Narsimha Avtar

Narasimha Avtar

Story of Narasimha Avtar

NARASIMHA Avatar, the forth incarnation of Lord Vishnu who emerged as a semi-man, semi-lion in the world.

In Satyuga (last age), there was the powerful king of all demons (asuras) named Hiranyakasyapa.  He was the brother of Hiranyaksha whom killed Lord Vishnu in his previous incarnation as a Varaha. He was extremely angered on all Gods and decided for revenge by this. He wanted to become eternal and also had inclination to stay young forever.

To fulfill this, he decided to gain a boon from Lord Brahma and started penance of Lord Brahma to please him. As he was performing a severe penance, the all gods were afraid and requested Lord Brahma to pacify the king Hiranyakasyapa. But Lord Brahma was pleased by his severe penance and asked him for a wish.

HiranyaKasyapa asked a boon that

“He would not be killed by,
-neither a man nor an animal (beast)
-neither in day nor in night
-neither inside not outside the building
-neither on the earth nor in space
-neither in fire nor in water
-neither by human hands nor god’s weapons”

Lord Brahma granted his wish and after that he considered himself as ultimate God and disallow to everyone to worship of Gods as he hated the all Gods specially Lord Vishnu. He started to torture everyone who was the follower of Lord Vishnu.

But HiranyaKasyapa’s own son Prahlada was impassioned devotee of Lord Vishnu therefore he angered on him. HiranyaKasyapa tried his every way to change the way of his son’s towards the Lord Vishnu but became failure. Then he ordered to kill Prahlada and tried his every ways to finish him but Prahlada was safe as he was protected by Lord Vishnu.

HiranyaKasyapa also ordered his sister to sit in fire with Prahlada who could not be flamed as she had a boon. But she poorly burned and then died. Again Hiranyakashipu enraged on Prahlada and asked him to consider his father as God of Universe but he refused to follow his order and said that only Lord Vishnu is the ultimate God. Hiranyakashipu asked Prahlada where Lord Vishnu was and ordered him show at once. Prahlad replied, “Lord Vishnu is everywhere”. Hiranyakashipu asked him whether his Vishnu could appear from the pillar to show his presence.

Then suddenly Lord Vishnu emerged as Narasimha in the form of semi man and semi lion from that pillar. When Lord Vishnu incarnated it was neither a day nor a night (twilight), neither inside not outside the palace (in the entrance of his palace’s courtyard), he used his nails that were neither human’s nor god’s weapon (means neither animate nor inanimate). This way Lord Vishnu in the form of Narasimha became a slayer of HiranyaKasyapa save his devotee Prahlada.   

This incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Narasimha was really amazing and unbelievable.

Third Incarnation Vishnu-Varaha Avatar

Varaha Avatar

Story of Varaha Avatar

VARAHA Avatar, the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu who emerged as a Varaha (boar) in the world.

A demon Hiranyaksha prayed to please Lord Brahma, and gained a boon that neither man nor god nor beast could kill him anyhow. But somehow the name of boar was missing from the list of beasts. This proved to be his big lacunae.

Hiranyaksha then began a movement of plunder crossways the Universe. He pushed the whole world to the under of the sea or the Pataal loka. The Vedas, the Holy Scriptures were stolen by him from the Lord Brahma, while he was asleep and performing enormous atrocities.

For this reason, to get back the Vedas and to keep the world on safer side the Lord Vishnu assumed the role of a Varaha (boar). Then Lord Vishnu in a form of Boar used its two tusks and brought out the earth from the under of the ocean.

The battle between the boar and Hiranyaksha took so many years, approximately thousand years but at last Boar (Varaha) won. Lord Vishnu defeated Hiranyaksha and then killed him.

Lord Vishnu in a Varaha (boar) form represented himself as being anthropomorphic or either purely animal as it had man’s body but boar’s head. He retrieved the all Vedas from the demon (asura) and put it to the safely in the custody of the Lord Brahma.

In the form of Varaha, had four arms, from which the two hands hold the wheel and conch-shell. Other two hands hold mace and lotus (or sword). That was the really very nice posture in blessing form. The entire earth was held only supported by boar’s tusks.

This incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Varaha avtar represents the restoration of the earth from a deluge (pralaya) and the constitution of a new cycle (kalpa).

This boar incarnation is to be considered to establish a creation myth.