Essay Assignment #1 | REL330 | Name |

Chapter 4, Question 5
List the three major gods of modern Hinduism and give a brief description of each.

Chapter 4, Question 5
List the three major gods of modern Hinduism and give a brief description of each.

The three gods of modern Hinduism are Brahma, the creator of the universe; Shiva, the destroyer of the universe; and Vishnu, the preserver of the universe – together, they are referred to as the Trimurti. (Hopfe & Woodward, 2012) As with most religions, there is a creator of the universe. In the religion of Hinduism, Brahma is the creator of universe and all things in it. He is often depicted as red in color having four heads, four arms and usually a beard. Sarasvati, Brahma’s wife is the goddess of knowledge, speech, poetry, and wisdom. (Hopfe & Woodward, 2012) Although he is well respected and known to all Hindus, Brahma is the least worshipped of the Trimurti with only two temples in India devoted to him. Unlike Brahma, Shiva, known as the destroyer of the universe, is among the most popular of gods. (Hopfe & Woodward, 2012) Shiva is the god of death, destruction, and disease. His role is to destroy the universe in order to re-create it. His popularity stems from the belief that he is also the god of vegetable, animal, and human reproduction. He plays a vital role in the endless cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. In Indian thought, death is but the prelude to rebirth. (Hopfe & Woodward, 2012) Shiva, in his representation as a man, always has a blue face and throat and most often a blue body. His features include a third eye to represent his wisdom and insight. A cobra necklace signifies his power over the most dangerous creatures of the world. His powerful third eye is covered with the vighuti, which are three horizontal lines drawn across his forehead in ash to represent his superhuman power and wealth. (Shiva, 2009) Today, followers of Shiva, known as Shivaites, regard him as the ultimate reality; he is creator, preserver, and destroyer. To achieve union with him, his followers must worship him in one of his many temples and are required to meditate and study under a guru. All of these acts are thought to create a perfect union between Shiva and the Shivaite and ultimately result in moksha – release from the death-rebirth cycle. In contrast to Shiva, Vishnu is known as the god of love, benevolence, and forgiveness. (Hopfe & Woodward, 2012) Vishnu, the preserver and restorer of the universe, has a great concern for humanity. He enjoys tricks and pranks and is very playful. Unlike the other two gods, Vishnu has appeared on earth in different forms. It is believed that he has appeared as a man, an animal, a fish, and even the Buddha. All his appearances have been to help people, such as when he appeared as Matsya, the fish, who saved Manu from the great flood. It is believed that he visited the earth nine times; when he returns for the tenth time, it will be at the end of the age, when he will bring time to an end and punish the wicked and reward the virtuous. (Hopfe & Woodward, 2012)
Vishnu’s followers, known as Vaishnavites, are noted for their deep love of God and for the poems and songs they write in his praise. He is sometimes too remote for humans to contact, in which case they contact his mediator, his wife Lakshmi. Lakshmi is believed to have risen from the ocean to ensure the fertility and welfare of the world. She is known for her deep devotion to her husband, despite his extramarital affairs. Their great love has produced a famous Indian poem. (Hopfe & Woodward, 2012)
Hindus recognize three principal gods; Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. However, these represent different expressions of Brahman (not Brahma). Brahman is the god that is the cause and foundation of all existence. He is the supreme god over all the other gods. Different Hindu communities may have their own divinities whom they worship, but these are simply different ways of approaching the Ultimate. (Beliefs, 2003)

Works Cited
Beliefs. (2003, July 31). Retrieved from BBC Religions: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/beliefs/intro_1.shtml#h1
Shiva. (2009, August 24). Retrieved from BBC Religions: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/deities/shiva.shtml
(2012). Devotion to Three Major Gods. In L. M. Hopfe, & M. R. Woodward, Religions of the World (pp. 93-96). Pearson Education Inc.