Who is Brahma?

  • Brahma is credited with the creation of the universe and being the first god of the Trimurti

  • He is depicted with four heads that symbolize the four vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva)

  • It is said that his four mouths are pronouncing different parts of the mantra “om”

  • He is thought to be in constant study and meditation

  • His counterpart is goddess Saraswati

What is Brahma holding?

  • Mala (Rosary)- for prayer and meditation

  • Lotus Flower- represents the energy of creation and the natural world

  • Pot of Water- signifies the start of life

  • Rigveda- displays his dedication to jnana (self-study)

BRAHMA- God of Creation

Brahma’s Connection to Yoga Asana:

Brahma is depicted with four heads in several images, but at one point he is said to have had five.

The story says that Brahma created a daughter for himself and became obsessed with her. Because he had four heads, his gaze could follow her whatever direction she went (north, south, west, and east). She became overwhelmed and tried to escape to the skies in order to get away from his gaze. Alas, he sprouted a fifth head to follow her.

Shiva, god of destruction, was furious with Brahma’s obsession and cut off the fifth head he sprouted. It was then, that Brahma became intensive with his studies of the vedas and study of himself. Self Study or Jnana Yoga is one of the six schools of yoga that we all must practice in order to gain liberation and salvation by finding connection between our Atman (earthly self) and Brahman (cosmic soul).