What is the Difference Between Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva?

Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are the three main deities in Hinduism, collectively known as the Trimurti. Each of them represents a different cosmic function:

1. Brahma: Brahma is considered the creator of the universe. He is the one who creates living beings and is seen as the writer of people's destinies. Brahma has four heads and is often seated on a lotus flower. His consort is Goddess Saraswati.
2. Vishnu: Vishnu is the preserver and protector of the universe. He is often depicted reclining on the serpent Adi Sesha, with his consort Goddess Lakshmi attending to him. Vishnu holds a disc in his hand to protect the good from the wicked and has Garuda, a large eagle, as his vehicle. There are many temples dedicated to Vishnu in India, particularly in South India.
3. Shiva: Shiva is the destroyer and transformer of the universe. He is associated with destruction, dissolution, and transformation. Shiva is often depicted as an expert in Tandava dance and is considered the first yogi or adiyogi. Shiva symbolizes the balancing of awareness and bliss, and the calming effects of yoga practices in general.

While the Trimurti represents the three primary aspects of the divine in Hinduism, different traditions and beliefs within Hinduism may emphasize one of these deities as the supreme god. For example, Vaishnavism holds that Vishnu is the supreme god, while Shaivism believes that Shiva is supreme. Brahma, in comparison, has relatively few devotees as the supreme deity.

Comparative Table: Brahma, Vishnu vs Shiva

The Trimurti is a concept in Hinduism that personifies the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction through the forms of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Here is a table comparing the differences between these three deities:

Brahma is the creator, responsible for the creation of the universe and the creation of living beings. He is often depicted with four heads, seated on a lotus, and associated with the four Vedas. However, there are very few temples dedicated to Brahma in India.

Vishnu is the preserver and protector of the universe, responsible for maintaining cosmic order. He is often depicted reclining on the serpent Adi Sesha, with his consort Lakshmi attending to him, and holding a disc (chakra) in his hand to protect the good from the wicked. Vishnu is also associated with the Garuda, a large eagle that serves as his vehicle.

Shiva is the destroyer and transformer of the universe, responsible for dissolving the cosmos and recreating it through cycles of time. He is often depicted with matted hair, a trident, a snake around his neck, and the river Ganges flowing from his head. Shiva is also an expert in the Tandava dance and has the quality of Tamas (darkness). His consorts include Parvati and Kali.

While these deities are often considered as a triad (Trimurti), Hinduism features many other triads of gods and goddesses, and different sects within Hinduism emphasize the worship of different gods based on personal preferences and needs.