Brahma, the Hindu God of Creation, is one of the three supreme beings that form the Trimurti, the divine trinity. He is seen as the personification of the brahman, the absolute reality underlying the entire universe. However, although Brahma is venerated as the God of Creation since Vedic times, it is rare to see worship dedicated solely to him in modern Hinduism, for there are no major sects or temples devoted to him. Instead, images of Brahma are more commonly seen alongside Vishnu, God of Preservation, and Shiva, God of Destruction, the other two gods part of the Trimurti.
There are several reasons according to Puranic literature as to why Brahma faced a decline in importance compared to Vishnu and Shiva. One legend describes an argument between Brahma and Vishnu about who is the greatest god of all. Shiva, acting as the mediator, sent a Shiva Linga in the form of a lightning pillar as a test, determining that only greatest god would be able to find the end of the pillar. While Vishnu admitted to not being able to find the pillar’s end and accepted defeat, Brahma lied and declared he found the other end, which angered Shiva. As punishment, Shiva cursed Brahma that he would no longer be worshipped from that point on. In another story, Brahma, using his creation powers, brought a female deity to life out of his own matter and fell in love with her, his own daughter. Uncomfortable by his gaze, the goddess moved around Brahma, who grew a new head in all four directions to keep his eyes on her, and soon a fifth for when she jumped up to the sky. Shiva, once again discontented with Brahma’s behavior, cut off Brahma’s fifth head as retribution and sentenced Brahma to studying the four Vedas for the rest of time.
In this 11th century sandstone sculpture of Brahma, only three of his heads are visible, with the central head possessing a beard. Each head has a slight smile and peaceful expression and is connected by their shared crown. Brahma stands tall, with an exposed torso showing off a slight potbelly. He wears a dhoti, a trouser-like garment, and is wrapped by a scarf knotted and tied around his thighs. The Creator is adorned with necklaces, bracelets, and armbands, and is draped with meditation cords and mala, prayer beads that symbolize time. At the base of the sculpture, there is an emaciated figure bowing to the god and a goose, Brahma’s vehicle, at the god’s feet.
See a similar red sandstone figure of Brahma sold by Christie’s, New York, 12 September 2012, lot 582. The two statues share a similar depiction in terms of style and ornamentation. The present lot offers a full-bodied depiction of Brahma that is not seen with the previously sold lot. Both statues provide rare instances of Brahma as the principal deity of worship.