Gods, Divine Masculine Energies

The Hindu Trinity

• Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva make up the Hindu Trinity.

• They are said to personify the cosmic energies of one supreme Reality, known as Brahman or Isvara.
• Some consider this as similar to the Christian trinity of God as the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
• Brahma brings the world into manifestation through his shakti (power) and consort, Saraswati.
• Vishnu sustains and protects the world through his shakti (power) and consort, Lakshmi.
• Shiva destroys and transforms structures through his shakti (power) and consort, Parvati. His power is said to be embodied by other forms of the Mother Goddess, as well, including Durga and Kali.

Readings

DIFFERENT EXPRESSIONS OF BRAHMAN

Contrary to popular understanding, Hindus recognise one God, Brahman, the eternal origin who is the cause and foundation of all existence. The gods of the Hindu faith represent different expressions of Brahman. Different Hindu communities may have their own divinities whom they worship, but these are simply different ways of approaching the Ultimate. – bbc.co.uk, Brahman

FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS OF THE ONE AND ONLY

The trinity of gods, namely Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva occupy the second highest tier. Collectively they are the three functional aspects of the one and the only Brahman. – Hinduwebsite.com 

THREE ASPECTS OF THE SUPREME REALITY

To the question whether these gods are different, the answer is both yes and no. They are different because, from a human point of view they perform different tasks [and] have qualities and energies that differ widely from one another… But… at the highest level they are three aspects of the one and the same supreme Reality. Together they are like a mighty flow of energy branching out into three different streams at the point of contact with human awareness. It is difficult for us to understand them, because we can understand reality in terms of comparisons, with reference to one another, not by the thing itself… Imagine an intelligence that can understand infinity without the need for any comparisons. – Hinduwebsite.com