Hinduism holds Brahman as the divine source of all beings, the origin and foundation of all existence. Major schools of Hindu philosophy describe it as the non-physical, efficient, formal and final cause of all that exists. Brahman as a metaphysical concept refers to the single binding unity behind diversity in all that exists in the universe, that is, the essence of the universe.
Brahman is further represented by Trimurti, a triad of gods that personify the cosmic functions of creation, preservation/sustenance and dissolution: Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the preserver/sustainer; and Shiva, the dissolver.
The word “trimurti” translates to “three forms” in Sanskrit. The three gods are often depicted as a single form with three faces. The Trimurti is a foundation of Hindu belief and practice, guiding the universe through its many cycles.
The trinity of gods are not alone. Their consorts, Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati respectively, are equally divine. Their combined form is Tridevi, or “three goddesses.”
Now let us look at the relationship of the three gods with their consorts.
Let us first take the case of Brahma and Saraswati. To begin with, Brahma should not be confused with Brahman, or Brahmana, an integral part of Vedic literature as well as the name of one of the four Hindu castes. Brahma was the first God (Hiranyagarbha, having emerged from a golden egg) and he was tasked with the creation of the universe and all creatures in it. He is generally depicted as a genial fatherly figure with four heads and a white beard, an epitome of wisdom and compassion, who carries no weapons and seldom loses his equanimity. Weapons are of no use in the process of creation. Though highly respected as a wise, amiable god, he is not as widely worshipped, presumably because he is seen as having completed his task of creation.
Brahma’s consort Saraswati is depicted to have been born from his breath to bring order to the initial chaos of creation. Unlike Brahma, she is a pan-Indian deity revered as the goddess of speech, knowledge, education, learning, arts, poetry, music, language and culture. Saraswati is mostly portrayed as a serene Goddess in all-white attire, representing purity and knowledge, with four arms, each holding a book, a rosary, a water pot and a musical instrument (veena). Both Brahma and Saraswati have white swans as their vehicles, which represent purity, wisdom, and truth.
Now let us ponder for a moment on what follows creation, the realm of Brahma, or birth in the human context. Birth is always followed by learning – becoming conscious of our surroundings, learning new things and skills that aid and enrich living, all of which again are the realm of Saraswati. It is as if Brahma supervises the birth of humans and hands them over to his consort to teach them how to lead a meaningful life. As the presiding deity of speech, knowledge and the arts, she is perfectly equipped to prepare us for a life of value, a life of meaning.
Let us now take the case of Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi.
The name Vishnu, meaning ‘all-pervasive,’ reflects his role as the preserver and sustainer of the universe and its living beings. He is considered as the supreme being in Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within Hinduism. Unlike other Gods, Vishnu has many forms, both benevolent and fearsome, especially his 10 avatara (‘descents’ into the material world) to restore dharma (righteous living) and cosmic order. Of these, the avatara of Rama and Krishna are considered important and they are also the subject of the epic stories Ramayana and Mahabharata respectively. Vishnu, whose 1,008 different names are invoked in his prayer, is typically depicted as a blue-skinned, well-dressed and bejewelled God, holding the shankha (a conch shell), chakra (war discus), gada (mace) and padma (lotus) in his hands. He is portrayed riding Garuda, the celestial bird.
Vishnu’s consort, Lakshmi, also named as Mahalakshmi and Sri, is highly revered as the goddess of wealth, success and good fortune. She was born from the churning of the milky ocean by the devas (gods) and the asuras (demons) in search of amrit (the elixir of immortality), on the advice of Vishnu. Lakshmi chose to marry Vishnu as the god she felt was most worthy of her. As a symbol of feminine purity and auspiciousness, she is depicted to have been born as Vishnu’s consort in a few of his avatara as well.
Lakshmi is often portrayed as a beautiful woman in a red saree with a golden crown and four arms, sitting or standing on a lotus flower, with a pair of elephants anointing her with water from behind. Holding lotus flowers in two of her hands, she is shown blessing her devotees and showering gold coins with the other two. Lakshmi is also depicted as the ideal wife, sitting next to Vishnu who is reclining on a coiled serpent in the milky ocean of Vaikunth, massaging his feet. As one of the principal goddesses of the Hindu pantheon, especially in Sri Vaishnavism, she is extensively worshipped as the bestower of prosperity and success. The eight prominent manifestations of Lakshmi, called Ashtalakshmi, symbolise the eight sources of wealth.
Now let us look at Vishnu’s relationship with Lakshmi in the context of the preservation or sustenance of the universe. In symbolic terms, Vishnu and Lakshmi represent the harmony between masculine and feminine energies, the union of opposites (Purusha, the unchanging self, and Prakriti, the ever-changing nature). They both maintain cosmic order and balance. He protects and preserves the universe, while she nurtures and sustains it by bestowing prosperity and good fortune. Devotees worship Vishnu and Lakshmi as the ideal couple, embodying love and devotion.
Let us now take the case of Shiva and his consort Parvati.
Within the Trimurti triad, Shiva (The Auspicious One), also known as Mahadeva (The Great God), is the Dissolver of the Universe at the end of every time-cycle. He is considered the Supreme Being in Shaivism, another major tradition within Hinduism. Shiva is depicted both as an omniscient ascetic living on Mount Kailas in the high Himalayas and as a householder, together with his wife, Parvati, and their two sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya. He is also revered as Adiyogi (the first Yogi), the patron god of yoga and meditation, and as the dance-loving Nataraja.
Like Vishnu, Shiva too has fearsome forms, where he is portrayed as Rudra, the Rigvedic God of Storms, the wrathful Virabhadra, and Kalabhairava, the fierce guardian of time. Mostly worshipped in the aniconic form of Shivalingam, Shiva’s iconography comprises the serpent king Vasuki around his neck, the crescent moon as his head-crest, and the holy Ganga spouting from his matted locks. With a fiery third eye on his forehead that turns everything in front of it into ashes when opened, he wears a tiger skin, body smeared with ash, and carries a trishul (trident) and a damaru (power drum). The sacred bull, Nandi, is his vehicle.
Shiva’s consort, Parvati is the daughter of king Himavan, a personification of the Himalayan Mountain (parvat). Also known as Uma and Gauri, she is revered as the supreme goddess of power, energy, nourishment, harmony, love, beauty, devotion, and motherhood. She is often equated with other goddesses such as Sati, Uma, Kali and Durga, with frequently overlapping stories. Parvati is recognised as the reincarnation of Sati, Shiva’s first wife, who immolated herself after her father insulted her husband. Her rebirth as Parvati is meant to bring back Shiva from his ascetic withdrawal back into the realm of marriage and household life. Parvati is mostly depicted as the adoring wife next to Shiva on his lap, with or without their children. In most portrayals, she wears fine clothing and jewellery. In independent depictions, she has four hands either in mudras (symbolic gestures) or holding a mirror, a bell, prayer beads, or a lotus flower, and her animal vehicle is the lion.
Parvati represents the life-affirming, creative force that complements Shiva’s austere, world-denying nature, thus balancing the roles of an ascetic and a householder, which are considered poles apart. In the goddess-oriented Shakta tradition, she is regarded as the energy and creative power (shakti) and the equal complementary partner of Shiva, leading to their portrayal as a composite deity, Ardhanariswara (the lord who is half-woman).
Two other goddesses, Durga and Kali, stand out as manifestations of the combined energy and power (shakti) of the gods and goddesses to combat evil. Both of them are invincible warriors credited with slaying many notorious demons. Durga is often depicted riding a lion or a tiger, with between eight and 18 hands, each holding a weapon, in the act of killing Mahishasura, the buffalo demon, yet with a calm and serene face. She is worshipped as Navadurga, in nine forms. Kali has blue skin with dishevelled hair, bloodshot eyes, multiple arms wielding weapons, and an extended tongue. In this form, she is generally depicted standing on top of the prostrate body of Shiva, wearing a garland of skulls and a skirt of arms.
Image 1: A postage stamp issued by India in 1949 depicts the giant sculpture of Trimurti in Elephanta Caves near Mumbai. Courtesy Indian Philately Digest website.
Image 2: A postage stamp issued by French India in 1916 depicts Lord Brahma.
Image 3: A postage stamp issued by Indonesia at Baliphex 2024 depicts Goddess Saraswati. Courtesy https://indiastamp.blogspot.com/
Image 4: A postage stamp issued by Indonesia at Baliphex 2024 depicts Lord Vishnu. Courtesy https://indiastamp.blogspot.com/
Image 5: Diwali postage stamps issued by New Zealand in October 2021. The design shows Goddess Lakshmi on the miniature sheet selvage. Image courtesy: Better Philately on X.
Image 6: A postage stamp issued by India in 1949 depicts Lord Shiva as Nataraja, the God of Dance. Courtesy Indian Philately Digest website.
Image 7: A postage stamp issued by Nepal in 1971 depicts Lord Shiva as Kalbhairav. Courtesy Stampex India.
Image 8: A Czech Republic postage stamp of 2007 depicting Shiva with Parvati and Ganesha. Courtesy https://www.academia.edu/
Image 9: Goddess Durga depicted in a postage stamp issued by India in 2008 to celebrate the festival of Dussehra, best celebrated in Kolkata. Courtesy https://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/