Easten Religion

7/5/2018 Overview of Gods - 18.SU.REL.1111.C50 EASTERN RELIGIONS

https://elearn.sinclair.edu/d2l/le/content/112110/viewContent/3876218/View 1/2

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Depending on family tradition, followers will often associate with one

particular God. But spiritual paths are not exclusive and some may

follow more than one at same time. These gods are powerful and

blessed, but they are not beyond samsara! They are in the same cycle as

we are. While Brahman is a great, absolute, nonpersonal force, the gods

are very personal, present and called upon for their speci�c associations

(like Catholic saints in a way).

Some Hindus say Brahman takes on so many deities/manifestations to

show that in�nite possibilities and paths of worship exist. It re�ects our

own diversity and in�nite possibility.

These deities can transform and liberate us from our bondage through

our love and devotion. Hindus believe that by putting our focus on the

gods and not ourselves, we can �nd inner joy and rise above our karma

and samsara. It's a way of expressing and connecting to the ultimate absolute (Brahman) in a personal

and devotional way.

You might ask, "Well, why does such a great and powerful, Almighty Brahman need to manifest in all these forms?" Much like

in Christianity, God takes human/physical form in order to do certain work that cannot be done without being e m b o d i e d .

Hindus believe that Brahman as pure God energy needs certain forms in order to do certain work (that's why the deities

exist). So for Brahman to experience life on earth, it becomes embodied and that is us, as well as the gods.

Think of it like the force of energy/electricity that exists in general in the world and then how it's tapped into, contained and

channeled into our wires/outlets so we can turn on a lamp or the computer. It is a more practical, tangible and earthy use of

the broader, greater energy.

In your book, you will see the three main gods outlined:

V i s h n u (sustainer), Sh i v a (destroyer), and Bra h m a

(creator).

D o n' t co n fu s e Bra h m a n w i t h Bra h m a … Brahman is the

absolute. Brahma on the other hand, is just one deity.

(Further, be careful not to confuse either of these with

Bra h m i n s - the priests of the caste system we discussed in

the last topic...)

Brahma is a deity (with four faces), responsible for creation.

With the primal sound of OM, Brahma created our world.

While creation is certainly important in Hinduism, it does not

necessarily make Brahma a popular god. In fact, he is

probably one of the least worshiped ones in practical

Hinduism. The idea is that he created, and then he withdrew, his job pretty much done. Hindus are

grateful for his contribution, but the focus in the lives of everyday Hindus are usually centered around

7/5/2018 Overview of Gods - 18.SU.REL.1111.C50 EASTERN RELIGIONS

https://elearn.sinclair.edu/d2l/le/content/112110/viewContent/3876218/View 2/2

Vishnu (the one who keeps things going/balanced), Shiva (the one who causes destruction and rebirth)

and Sh a kt i (the Goddess/Mother Divine).

So, while Brahma is seen as one of the big three in mythology, for practical purposes, more Hindus

emphasize Shakti. Therefore, our discussion and lessons will focus on the big three gods of practice:

V i s h n u (sustainer), Sh i v a (destroyer) and Sh a kt i (supreme goddess).

Hindu artwork depecting the gods had an in�uence on many artists and musicians, including one well

known musician, Jimi Hendrix (above). So much so, that he designed his album cover in an almost

identical fashion to the image you viewed above.