The Development of Hindu Iconography c19.s1.1

c19.s1.1

To the first member of the orthodox Brahmanical triad, Brahmā, is assigned the act of creation in Hindu mythology. His position in the pantheon is, however, inferior to that of any of the principal cult deities like Viṣṇu, Sūrya, Śiva and Durgā, nay, even Gaṇapati. The very act of creating this universe and peopling it, which is supposed to have been his main duty, is primarily attributed by the followers of these cults to the respective divinities of their choice. The picture that we get of Brahmā from the Purāṇas, or sections of them associated with one or other of these cults, is usually an inane and helpless god, having very little practical initiative of his own. The initiative almost invariably rests with the principal cult deities, Brahmā being at best represented in the role of a mediator with the more important among them on behalf of other deities and persons of lesser importance approaching him for help and advice in times of distress and danger.