Bhairava : one gives this name to the awful forms of
Shiva, whose goal is to protect humanity from the
malevolent forces. Sixty four different Bhairav are described. The Black Bhairava is also named
Kâla (the Time similar to Death, i.e. Yama)
Brahmâ : With
Vishnu and
Shiva, Brahmâ
forms the Trimûrti. God of Creation, Brahmâ was born, sitting on a lotus, from the Vishnu's navel, the latter
lying asleep on the Primordial Waters. Brahmâ is represented four-headed on the north walls of the temples.
Sometimes, he holds the Veda books. His animal-vehicle is
a goose (hamsa) or a swan
Brahmins : people belonging to the
varna (cast) of the highest rank in the society.
According to the Tradition, the brahmins are born from
Brahmâ's head. Their birth concedes to them the
ability to manage temple administration, to teach religious questions and to perform public
pûjâ. However, the modern society
has extended the field of activity of the brahmins to non-religious professions too (civil services, liberal
professions, etc.)
