BRAHMA is regarded as the Supreme Being, the God of gods; of whom Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are manifestations. In pictures Brahma is represented as a red man with four heads, though in the Puranas he is said to have had originally five. He is dressed in white raiment, and rides upon a goose. However, there is a controversial episode associated with him, mentioned in several Purans, that can unearth the secret about Brahma’s 5th head and why is he not widely worshipped. Read on…
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When lord Brahma got mesmerized by Sarasvati
A legend in the "Matsya Purana" gives the following account of the formation of Brahma’s numerous heads - "Brahma formed from his own immaculate substance a female who is celebrated under the names of Satarupa, Savitri, Sarasvati, Gayatri, and Brahmani. How surpassingly lovely she is!' Sarasvati turned to the right side from his gaze; but as Brahma wished to look after her, a second head issued from his body.
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And Shiva severed Lord Brahma’s head
As Sarasvati passed to the left, and behind him, to avoid his amorous glances, two other heads successively appeared. At length she sprang into the sky; and as Brahma was anxious to gaze after her there, a fifth head was immediately formed. The legend further states that Sarasvati ran to Lord Shiva for help, who got angry with Brahma for such felony and severed his 5th head.
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Or she became his wife for greater good?
As per another legend, Brahma’s head was still intact when he said to Sarasvati, 'Let us produce all kinds of animated beings, men, suras (gods), and asuras (demons). Hearing this, she descended, and Brahma having espoused her, they withdrew to a secluded spot where they dwelt together for one hundred divine years; at the expiration of which time was born Manu, who is also called Swayambhuva and Viraj."
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Lord Brahma’s inflated Ego
The following legend occurs, with some variations, in several Puranas, showing why Brahma was deprived of his fifth head - "Once when they were assembled on the top of Meru, the holy sages, having saluted Brahma, requested him to declare the true nature of the godhead; but the Creator, influenced by the delusion of Mahesha (a demon), and his mind obscured by spiritual darkness, asserted his own pre-eminence.
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Lord Brahma versus Vishnu
Brahma said: 'I am the womb of the universe, without beginning or end, and the sole and self-existent lord; and he who does not worship me shall never obtain beatitude.' On hearing this, Kratu, a form of Narayana (Vishnu), smiled and said: ' You should not be misled by ignorance; for I am the framer of the universe, the source of life, the unborn, eternal and supreme Narayana; and, had I not willed it, creation would not have taken place.'
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Lord Brahma and Vishnu versus Shiva
Thus Vishnu and Brahma disputed, and at length they agreed to allow the matter to be decided by the Vedas. The Vedas declared that Shiva was creator, preserver, destroyer. Having heard these words, Vishnu and Brahma, still bewildered by the darkness of delusion, said, 'How can the lord of goblins, the delighter in graveyards, the naked devotee covered with ashes, haggard in appearance, wearing twisted locks ornamented with snakes, be the supreme being? '
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The birth of Rudra
Suddenly a wondrous effulgence filling the heavens and earth appeared between Brahma and Vishnu. On seeing whom, the fifth head of Brahma glowed with anger and said, 'I know you well, O Chandra Shekhera, for from my forehead did you spring, and because you did not weep I called you Rudra. Hasten then to seek the refuge of my feet, and I will protect you! ' At these proud words of Brahma, Siva was incensed.
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Shiva severed Brahma’s head
From Shiva’s anger sprang into existence a terrific form (Bhairava), whom he thus addressed: “Chastise this lotus-born!” No sooner did Bhairava receive this order, than instantly he cut off the head of Brahma with the thumb of his left hand. That member which had committed the fault received punishment; and therefore Brahma was deprived of his fifth head." Upon this Vishnu and Brahma praised Shiva.
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As per the Mahabharata
The Mahabharata says that Siva did not actually cut off Brahma's head on this occasion, but was only prevented from doing so through the intercession of the gods. It was because of his attempting to seduce his own daughter that Siva decapitated him. This crime was attempted when in a fit of intoxication; hence Brahma pronounced a curse upon the gods who should hereafter drink spirits.
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Lord Brahma’s limited temples
At the present time Brahma is not largely worshipped by the Hindus. Brahma as Creator is supposed to have finished his work; hence, excepting in one place, viz. at Pushkara in Ajmir, there is no temple to him now existing. It is evident that for centuries the worship of Brahma has not been common, for in the "Skanda Purana” is an indelicate legend, in which the charge of falsehood is proved against him, and this fact is given to account for the fact that his worship had ceased.
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The curse of Shiva
According to legends, once Brahma and Vishnu were overcome with the sense of self-importance. They began to argue as to who was the greater of the two. As the argument became heated, Lord Shiva had to intervene. Shiva took the form of a gigantic linga (the phallic symbol of Shiva). The lingam told both Brahma and Vishnu that if any of them could find the end of the lingam, He will be declared as the greater of the two. Both Brahma and Vishnu agreed to the deal.
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The curse of Shiva
Lord Brahma and Vishnu kept searching for years. Vishnu realized the fact that Shiva was the greatest among the Trinity. But Brahma decided to trick Shiva. He requested the Ketaki flower to testify before Shiva that Brahma had reached the uppermost part of the lingam and had seen the end. The Ketaki flower agreed. When brought before Shiva, the flower falsely testified that Brahma had seen the end. Lord Shiva became furious at this lie.
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The curse of Saraswati
According to another legend, when lord Brahma became overpowered by the ethereal beauty of Saraswati, she changed her forms to escape from Brahma's sexual overtures. But He did not give up. Finally, unable to control Her anger, the Goddess cursed Brahma that He would not be worshipped by any being on Earth. Hence, Brahma is not worshipped in Hinduism in spite of being the Creator. Brahma's lust signifies the fall of humanity.
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The story of Sarasvati
Lord Brahma's wife is Sarasvati, the goddess of wisdom and science, the mother of the Vedas, and the inventor of the Devanagari letters. Sarasvati having been produced from Brahma, was regarded as his daughter; hence her union with him was said to be criminal by the other gods. Sometimes she is called the wife of Vishnu, but this difficulty is explained by a legend.
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Lord Vishnu once had three wives?
Sarasvati, by the standard mythological authorities, is the wife of Brahma. The Vaishnavas of Bengal have a popular legend that she was the wife of Vishnu, as were also Lakshmi and Gangā. The ladies disagreed, Sarasvati, like the other type of learned ladies, Minerva, being something of a termagant; and Vishnu, finding that one wife was as much as even a god could manage, transferred Sarasvati to Brahma and Gangā to Siva, and contented himself with Lakshmi alone.
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The Puranic story of Sarasvati’s anger and curses
The Vedas have declared the great advantages which are derived from sacrifice, by which the gods are delighted, and therefore bestow rain upon the earth. For the same purpose Brahma and his wife Savitri (Sarasvati), the immortals, and the holy sages repaired to Pushkara; but when all the preparations had been made, with all due rites and ceremonies, for performing the sacrifices, Savitri, detained by some household affairs, was not in attendance.
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The Puranic story of Sarasvati’s anger and curses
A priest accordingly went to call her; but she replied, I have not yet completed my dress, nor arranged several affairs. Lakshmi, and Bhavāni, and Gangā, and Svāha, and Indrāni, and the wives of the other gods and of the holy sages, have not yet arrived, and how therefore can I enter the assembly alone?' The priest returned, and thus addressed Brahma: 'Savitri is engaged and will not come; but without a wife what advantage can be derived from these rites?'
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The Puranic story of Sarasvati’s anger and curses
Lord Brahma, incensed at the conduct of Savitri, thus spoke to Indra: Bring a wife from wherever you can find one.' Indra proceeded accordingly; and as he passed hastily along, saw a milkmaid, young, beautiful, and of a smiling countenance, carrying a jar of butter. He brought her to the assembly, when Brahma thus spoke: 'O gods and holy sages, if it seem good unto you I will espouse this Gayatri, and she shall become the mother of the Vedas, and the cause of purity to these worlds!'
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The Puranic story of Sarasvati’s anger and curses
Upon this Brahma was united to Gayatri, who was led into the bower of the bride, and there arrayed in silken garments, and adorned with the costliest ornaments. At this time Savitri, accompanied by the wives of Vishnu, Rudra, and the other gods, came to the place of sacrifice. Seeing the milkmaid in the bride's bower, and the priests engaged in the performance of the sacred rites, incensed with anger, she thus cursed everyone…
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The Puranic story of Sarasvati’s anger and curses
Sarasvati (Savitri) said, 'O Brahma! You are called the great father of gods and holy sages, and yet you here publicly act in a manner which must excite the derision of the three worlds. But how can I now show my face; or, deserted by my husband, call myself a wife?' Brahma replied: ‘The time for the sacrifice was passing away . . . and Indra having brought Gayatri, Vishnu and Rudra gave her in marriage to me.'
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Cursing Lord Brahma and Indra
"On hearing these words, Savitri exclaimed, 'By the powers which I have obtained by the performance of tapas, may Brahma never be worshipped in temple or sacred place, except one day in each year. . . . And, Indra, since you bring that milkmaid to Brahma, you shall be bound in chains by your enemies and confined in a strange country; and your city and station shall be occupied by your enemies.'
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Cursing Vishnu and Shiva
Addressing Vishnu, she said, 'Since you gave her in marriage to Brahma, you be born amongst men, and shall endure the agony of having your wife ravished from you by your enemy!' To Rudra she said: 'By the curse of the holy sages, you shall be deprived of your manhood!'
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Cursing Lakshmi
Having pronounced these curses, Savitri left the assembly, and was accompanied for a short distance by Lakshmi and the other goddesses, when they all declared their intention of returning. On hearing this, Savitri was incensed, and thus addressed them: 'Since you now forsake me, O Lakshmi! May you never remain stationary in one place; and may you always abide with the vile, the inconstant, the contemptible, the sinful, the cruel, the foolish, and the barbarian!
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Cursing Indrani and other Goddesses
And, Indrani, when Indra incurs the guilt of Brahmanicide by slaying Tvastri's son, then shall Nahusha acquire his kingdom, and, be desirous of obtaining you. Savitri then pronounced this curse on the wives of the gods collectively: 'May you all remain barren; and may you never enjoy the pleasure of having children!'
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Gayatri modifies the curses
After Savitri's angry departure from the assembly, Gayatri modified the curses that had been pronounced. She promised all kinds of blessing, including final absorption into him, to all the worshippers of Brahma. Though Indra be bound, his son should release him. Though Vishnu lost his wife, he should regain her. Though Rudra be deprived of his manhood, the Linga as his representative should be universally worshipped.