Brahma
Webster's Dictionary [1]
(1): (n.) The One First Cause; also, one of the triad of Hindoo gods. The triad consists of Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the Preserver, and Siva, the Destroyer.
(2): (n.) A valuable variety of large, domestic fowl, peculiar in having the comb divided lengthwise into three parts, and the legs well feathered. There are two breeds, the dark or penciled, and the light; - called also Brahmapootra.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [2]
is the first manifestation of Brahm, and represents the creative power which created the world and man, and is the first lawgiver and teacher of the Indians (therefore the author of the Vedas). According to the book of Manu, God's will first created the fluids, and in them was contained an egg shiling like gold (Brahmanda), from which Brahm himself was born as Brahma. His will broke the shell of the egg, and from it he created all other things, men, spirits, and gods, after which he retired again into identity with Brahm. He lived 100 years of 365 days and as many nights, each of 1000 sadriyugams; but every four jugas are equivalent to 4,320,000 human years, consequently his life lasted 315,360,000,000,000 of our years. The destruction and reconstruction of the world are connected with his loss of activity at the end of his period of life and his awakening hereafter. Finally, his death will result in universal destruction, until a new Brahma will be created, who, in his turn shall create another universe. Thus far Brahma has died and come to life again 1001 times. Brahmi is his daughter and mate, Brahma is represented with four heads and the same number of arms, each bearing a different symbol, as those of his immortality, omnipotence, and law-giving power. The swan is consecrated to him, and is his usual steed. His Paradise (Brahmaloga) is on Mount Moru; here he receives his true followers, and they bathe in the sea of Behra, whose waters. endow them with perpetual youth. It is also the site of the city of Brahma, Brahmapatnam, out of the four doors of which flow the streams Sadalam, Sadasson, Patram, and Acaguey. Brahma is also called Attimaboh (the good spirit), Bisheshrik (flower of creation), Kamalasana (sitting under the lotus), Widhada (father of fate), etc. For a fuller treatment of the subject, (See Hinduism); (See India).
The Nuttall Encyclopedia [3]
In the Hindu religion and philosophy at one time the formless spirit of the Universe, from which all beings issue and into which they all merge, and as such is not an object of worship, but a subject of meditation; and at another the creator of all things, of which Vishnu ( q. v .) is the preserver and Siva ( q. v .) the destroyer, killing that he may make alive. See Trimurti .
