Early Buddhist Theory of Knowledge c9.36

c9.36

He is also a teacher of religious students (Bṛh. 5.².1, Ch. 8.7–12). This rôle is soon taken over by Brahmā who is represented as the creator as well as the first teacher of the Vedas. A fact that needs to be taken account of is that while the conceptions of Brahman (neut.) as well as Brahmā (masc.) are found in the Brāhmaṇas,¹ the essential identity of the two is shown in the Brāhmaṇas by the formula that 'Brahman became Brahmā on his own' (Brahma brahmābhavat svayam, Tait. Br. 3.12.9.3). This identity is important in observing the close affinity that subsists between the two especially in the early Upaniṣads. This identity has again possibly been influenced by the Puruṣa-sūkta. Thus it is said at Bṛh. 1.4 1 that in the beginning this world was Ātman alone in the form of a Person (puruṣavidhaḥ) and soon after (Bṛh. 1.4.10) that in the beginning the world was Brahman which knew Himself (with the thought) 'I am Brahmā'.