Shalin Statues

The Trimurti (‘three forms’) is a concept in Hinduism "in which the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified by the forms of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the maintainer or preserver, and Shiva the destroyer or transformer." These three deities have been called "the Hindu triad" or the "Great Trinity". They are often looked at as the creator, preserver and destroyer respectively.

One type of depiction for the Trimurti shows three heads on one neck, and often even three faces on one head, each looking in a different direction. The Trimurti is the representation of the three projections of the Supreme Reality, each with a specific cosmic function. These manifestations are that of Brahma serving the cosmic function of creation, Vishnu serving the cosmic function of renewal and preservation, and Shiva serving the cosmic function of dissolution or destruction that precedes re-creation – the three popular Hindu gods. Our daily existence reflects these three cosmic functions as birth, life and death. The trinity is interpreted in various forms in Hindu philosophy. A widely accepted belief is that it represents earth, water, and fire. The earth, or Brahma, is seen as the originator of all life and hence is regarded as the Creator. Water is the sustainer of life and hence is the Preserver and is represented as Vishnu. Fire destroys life and hence is the Destroyer and is represented as Shiva.