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Understanding the Trimurtti

Understanding the Trimurtti. An Introduction to Hindu Deities Adapted by Robert Milton AP Art History, Katy High School. The Trimurtti Western Difficulties. A Western misconception is that Hinduism is a polytheistic faith, but Hindu deities are not individual gods.

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Understanding the Trimurtti

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  1. Understanding the Trimurtti An Introduction to Hindu Deities Adapted by Robert Milton AP Art History, Katy High School

  2. The TrimurttiWestern Difficulties A Western misconception is that Hinduism is a polytheistic faith, but Hindu deities are not individual gods. Hindu deities are various representations of different aspects of the primary life force, known as Brahman. These representations (deities) are aids for the worshipper, helping them to focus their devotion and meditation.

  3. Recognizing the DeitiesThe Depiction of the Supernatural in Hindu Art Multiple arms are used to emphasize the immense power of the deity. Multiple heads portray the varying aspects of the deity’s character.

  4. BrahmaThe Universal Mind Commonly accepted as the oldest of the three primary aspects of Brahman. Four heads represent the four cardinal directions. Symbolizes one’s own mind and intellect; therefore, not a popular deity since it may be said that the worshipper has already “realized” Brahma.

  5. VishnuThe Pervasive Force Appears in various alternate forms (avatars) when intervening in the affairs of the human world. Represents a unique combination of Power and Compassion. Often depicted with serpents and water, symbolizing one of the central Hindu stories of the cycle of creation.

  6. Vishnu Temple Deogarh(in India), early sixth century CE

  7. Vishnu dreaming of Creation(detail of facade of the Vishnu Temple from Deogarh)

  8. ShivaThe Destroyer of Ignorance Often considered the most powerful of the three primary aspects of Brahman. Misconstrued as Destroyer; only destroys as an act of purification and renewal, then recreates. As Nataraj (Lord of the Dance), Shiva destroys ignorance in the worshipper and awakens wisdom in a cosmic dance.

  9. Dancing Shiva (with Ganesha and Nandi)Rock-cut relief in cave temple from Badami (India)Late sixth century

  10. Ganeshamurti(consecrated image)Below, from KarnatakaRight, from Hoysala

  11. Shiva as Nataraja(from the NaltunaiIshvaram Temple in Punjai, India)ca. 1000 CE

  12. Shiva NatarajaBronze idol from the Chola Dynastic Period11th or 12th century CE

  13. Separate and Shared TraditionsThe Complexity of Hindu Denominations Hinduism is the oldest major religion still practiced today, but has no theological core or central doctrinal authority. Hindus worship one deity (aspect of Brahman) as supreme, but accept the power and legitimacy of others. There are three primary denominations of Hinduism: Vaishnavism (worshippers of Vishnu) Shaivism (worshippers of Shiva) Shaktism (worshippers of Shakti, the Mother Goddess)

  14. Meaning and RitualThe Fusion of Hindu Art and Architecture Hindu art is more often than not united with the architecture, and must be considered as a unified whole. Circumambulation (walking clockwise around the sacred space) is central to the act of worship. The act of worship (puja) is not generally congregational, and may be carried out at a personal shrine in the home or at the temple.

  15. Vishvanatha Templefrom Khajuraho (India), ca. 1000 CE

  16. Entrance and plan to the Visvanatha Temple (Khajuraho, India), c. 1000 CE

  17. Exterior sculptures on the Visvanatha Temple

  18. Shikhara from the Brihadishvara TempleThanjavur (India)

  19. Works Cited Adams, Laurie Schneider. Art Across Time. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 1999. Craven, Roy C. Indian Art: A Concise History. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1976. Dehejia, Vidya. Indian Art. London: Phaidon Press Limited, 1997. Hall, James. Illustrated Dictionary of Symbols in Eastern and Western Art. New York: HarperCollins, 1994. Kleiner, Fred S., Christin J. Mamiya, and Richard G. Tansey. Gardner’s Art Through the Ages, 11th ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt College Publishers, 2001. O’Riley, Michael Kampen. Art Beyond the West: The Arts of Africa, India and Southeast Asia, China, Japan and Korea, the Pacific, and the Americas. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2001. Stokstad, Marilyn. Art History. New York:Harry N. Abrams, 1999.

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