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Brahma, revered as the
Creator from later Vedic times onwards, was seen as one of the most important
gods, together with Shiva (Destroyer) and Vishnu (Preserver). The three served
in anthropomorphic terms to represent the powerful, non-conceptual Brahman - an
unchanging and eternal force associated with cosmic unity.
As the concept of samsara came to be at the heart of Hindu philosophy, however -
and life was envisaged as endless transmigration with no beginning - Brahma's
role as Creator was questioned by later philosophers. His importance as a cult
god dwindled in the nineteenth century, though he is still regarded as a major
divinity.
Stories of Brahma's exploits are still told and retold in Pushkar, site of a
temple dedicated exclusively to the deity. One such tale reveals the
significance of the temples named after Brahma's wives, Saivitri and Gayitri. At
the great yagya gathering of deities, Lord Brahma was to marry Saivitri, but she
was busy dressing for the ceremony and failed to show up on time. Without a
wife, the Creator could not perform the yagya at the auspicious moment, so he
had to ask Indra, the god of fire, to find another consort.
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The only unmarried
woman available was a shepherdess of the untouchable Gujar caste, whom the gods
hastily purified by passing her through the mouth of a cow; gaya means "cow",
and tri , "passed through". When Saivitri finally arrived, she was furious that
Brahma had married someone else and cursed him, saying that henceforth he would
be worshipped only at Pushkar.
She also pronounced that the Gujar caste would gain liberation after death only
if their ashes were scattered on Pushkar lake - a belief which has persisted to
this day. After casting her curses, disgruntled Saivitri flew off to establish a
temple on the highest hill above the town, while Gayitri occupied the lower hill
on the opposite, eastern side of the lake.
The temples
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