Who is Worshipped First: Brahma, Vishnu, or Mahesh?

In our country where rivers sing Vedic hymns and our mystic mountains echo with the footsteps of our Gods, one supreme question remains in the minds of devotees and scholars: Who among the Trimurti is the mightiest? Is it Brahma- our creator, Vishnu- Our protector or Shiva- Our Destroyer? Who should be worshipped first?

If we go back in time to the beginning, when the universe was but a breath waiting to be expelled, a darkness lay over it all. The cosmic unfurling had not begun. The dance of creation, preservation and destruction had not been born. Slowly that breath expelled and from it a cosmic egg which cracked to reveal the mighty Trimurti of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva.

The Trimurti embodies the cosmic functions of Creation (Srishti), Preservation (Stithi) and Destruction (Samhara). Together, they display the endless dance of existence.

Brahma, the creator, born from a lotus that sprouted from Vishnu’s navel is the designer and architect of the universe.

Vishnu lying on the cosmic serpent in the ocean of Milk (Ksira Sagara) preserves and watches over all this creation.

Shiva, absorbs and dissolves all that which must end, to make way for the new.

As with all great legends, tales of power do not sit quiet. The question of who is the supreme lingers like sacred smoke.

The Linga Purana narrates how, once Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu quarrelled over who is the greater of the two. As their arguments heated and their egos grew, a Jyotirlinga appeared infinite in height and depth with a blinding light.

Shiva appeared and asked them to span the height and depth and find the end and beginning. Vishnu transformed into Varaha (Boar) and delved into the depths to find the end while Brahma soared on his swan, to find the beginning. Eons passed but neither was successful.

Vishnu slowly returned admitting defeat but Brahma lied and claimed he found the beginning. He produced a Ketki flower and claimed that it was proof. Shiva called out Brahma’s lie and cursed him that he shall have no place in rituals.

To this day the worship of Brahma is rare and only a handful of temples exist. The most popular Brahma temple is in Pushkar, Rajasthan- a place filled with the fragrance of forgotten divinity.

“Ekam brahma jagato na vishnura-janmakalpanaam abhoota shivah"

“Brahma and Vishnu emerged but Shiva is the supreme being, the source of all.”

The universe owes its creation to Brahma but the dance of existence is between Vishnu’s gentle mercy and Shivas untamed destruction.

The one who created and crafted the world is worshipped the least. Scholars argue that it wasn’t Shivas curse but brahmas ego and pride that led to his fall.

In the Padma Purana, a legend talks about how Brahma desired his own daughter. This perverse act disturbed the Gods who cursed him to fall from grace.

Vishnu is the ever compassionate one in the Bhagavata Purana. The one who takes avatar after avatar to restore cosmic order. Vishnu’s role begins where Brahmas role ends. Vishnu sustains the universe. Vishnu is the answer to seekers of order, kindness and divine intervention.

Vishnu is deeply respectful of Shiva and offers his reverence to him in several references. In the Himavamsa Purana, Vishnu acknowledges Shiva as Mahadeva and prays to Shiva to obtain the Sudarshan Chakra.

In the Skanda Purana,Vishnu says:

"Aadav yo yamalingam shantaryam jagatam cha yo na bhajanti"

"In the beginning was the Linga, Shiva's mark of infinity. Those who do not worship it, worship nothing."

The trinity tightens as Vishnu bows to Shiva, Brahma appears from Vishnu and Shiva meditates in blissful detachment.

Who, then is the supreme?

Shiva drinks poison to save the universe, dances to crumble reality and yet melts in the aura of his devotees. He is both feared and loved. Shiva is not just the destroyer but is time itself. In the Yajur Veda, shiva is praised.

"Om namo namah Shivaya cha."

Salutations again and again to Shiva.

Both Vishnu and Brahma bow to Shiva but he is aloof, absorbed in meditation.

In the tale of Bhasmasur, a demon who does severe penance to acquire a boon from Shiva. He then tries to destroy Shiva himself. Shiva runs from Bhasmasur, not out of fear but as divine play, leading to Vishnu taking on the avatar of Mohini to slay the demon. Here we see how the destroyer needs the preserver!

The is no hierarchy in divine play-only rhythm, balance and inter dependence.

However, despite the battle of supremacy, none of the Trimurti are worshipped first in a puja ritual. The honour belongs to Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati.

In a tale from the Puranas where a celestial competition took place between Ganesha and his brother Karthikeya. The competition required them to circle the world three time, Ganesha circled his parents and declared that they are his world.

Shiva highly impressed and pleased with him blesses him to be the first to be invoked in any ritual.Even the mighty Trimurti await Ganesha’s nod.

The debate continues…Who is supreme?

Ask Shaivites, they chant Shiva!

Ask Vaishnavas, they roar Narayana, Narayana!

Ask the universe, it reverberates and proclaims

Brahma gives us our beginnings.

Vishnu gives us order,

Shiva gives us liberation.

They are all reflections of the one eternal Brahman.

In the Upanishads it says:

"Ekam satyam, brahma." Truth is One. That is Brahman

None is greater, for each is the face of the One.

The Trimurti are breaths of the same eternal being. Do not let the question divide but rather deepen faith. In your life, there are times you will create, times when you must preserve and times when you must bravely destroy what no longer serves you.

In the end, it’s not about supremacy but in knowing they are all in you. The power to create, protect and destroy.

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