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 CHAPTER II BRAHMĀ, VISHNU, AND SIVA, AND THEIR SAKTIS

must now pass on to consider the divine ideal represented by the Brahmanical deities, Brahmā, Vishnu, and Siva, who are worshipped separately and also jointly as the Three in One. The Silpa-Sāstras, as already mentioned, ordain that Brahmā's shrine shall be open on all four sides, that Vishnu's shall face the east, and Siva's the west. Brahmā, the personification of prayer, is the Creator symbolised by the rising sun, which gives the signal for morning prayer. Brahmā's sakti, or active principle in nature, is Sarasvati, the lady of the lotus-pool, goddess of speech and learning. Her flower, the pink or red lotus, whose petals unfold at the magic touch of the sun's first rays, is the symbol of the womb of the universe, Hiranya-garbha, hidden in the depths of the cosmic waters from which Brahmā, self-created, sprang. In Indian art Brahmā is often shown seated in Yogi fashion as the Great Magician upon the mystic lotus which springs from the navel of Vishnu Nārāyana, the Eternal Spirit. He also appears riding on the swan or wild goose, the king of the lotus-pool, whose Sanskrit name, hamsa, is convertible into the mystic formula SA-HAM—I AM HE, that is Brahmā.

Brahmā's four heads are said to symbolise the four Vedas, but as the Vedas were originally only three in number, a different meaning must be sought. It was 162