Divine Origins
Who are the great deities, and how are they related? Shaiva, Vaishnava, Shakta and Smarta traditions each answer differently — and each answer is honoured here.
The verse
One truth, many names
[Traditional account]
"Ekam sad viprā bahudhā vadanti" — the truth is one, the wise call it by many names (Rigveda 1.164.46). Vaishnavas see Vishnu as the Supreme, Shaivas see Shiva, Shaktas the Devi, and Smartas worship five deities as forms of one Brahman.
The Trimurti
Puranic tradition pictures three functions of the divine: Brahma creates, Vishnu preserves, Shiva dissolves and renews — each with a consort who is his power: Saraswati, Lakshmi, Parvati.
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