Brahma

Brahma, a part of the Trimurti (along with Vishnu and Shiva) is the active creator of the universe. The Mahabharat considers him to be born from an embryo which took shape in Vishnu’s mind.

After the destruction of the universe Vishnu falls asleep. When a new universe is to be created, Brahma appears on a lotus springing from the navel of Vishnu. When Brahma creates the world it remains in existence for one of his days (equal to 2,160,000,000 years of Hindu Calendar). At the end of his day when Brahma goes to sleep, the whole world is consumed by fire and when he awakes again he begins restoring the whole creation. This goes on till hundred years of Brahma’s life, at the end of which he himself loses his existence and all gods and sages along with the whole universe are dissolved into the elements.

Brahma is shown as having four heads. He also possesses four arms and holds a lotus flower, his scepter, his bow parivita, a bowl containing the holy water and the Vedas. He is usually shown as a bearded man in the full maturity of age. Brahma’s vehicle is the swan or goose, the symbol of knowledge.