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The nature of God in Hinduism

Many Hindus believe in as the ultimate reality – one supreme spirit in many forms. Brahman is male, female and even animal.

Brahman is also commonly understood as the Trimurti – three gods with three key functions:

  • Brahma – the source of all creation
  • Vishnu – responsible for keeping all good things on Earth and bringing harmony when needed
  • Shiva – assists in the creation of new things as some things have to end for others to begin
Image caption,
Vishnu is one of the three Hindu gods that make up the Trimurti

The atman (soul) of each of us may also hold a spark of Brahman. For most Hindus, Brahman is present in the lives of all living things.

The traditional Hindu greeting ‘nČčłŸČčČőłÙ±đ’ - usually performed with joined palms and bowed head - may be translated as ‘I bow to the divine spark within you’.