Ishvara is the Lord of the universe from which springs
the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Ishvara is the hidden man
of the heart, the fount of all mysticism and communion with the holy
of holies. He releases the inner key and the energy by which we become
immortal.
†
Brahma and his Consort, Sarasvati
Brahma is the creator, the supreme ruler and the
lawgiver of the universe, both in form and formless. His consort is
Sarasvati and together, they manifest the masculine and feminine potential
of this cosmic force that is an energy, a consciousness a spirit and
the living, moving, dancing image of the Hindu deity. Brahma is the
divine essence of power that manifests in the heart of every ascended
master and in the heart of every lightbearer unascended, that manifests
as the blue plume of the threefold flame. Sarasvati is the incarnation
of the word, Vach, the creative essence of sound. She is an incarnation
of the motherhood of God and is associated with speech, poetry, music
and culture. She is revered as the Goddess of the Word, the Goddess
of Learning and the Patroness of the Arts and Music. Her symbol is
the swan for purity.
†
Vishnu and his Consort, Lakshmi
Vishnu represents the Son, who preserves the grand
design of creation and restores the universe to light with the living
flame of wisdom. He is the mediator who intercedes between humanity
and the absolute reality of the Father. When the forces of darkness
get the upper hand on earth, Vishnu incarnates as an avatar, a world
savior as in the case of Rama and Krishna. Vishnu also abides in our
heart as the yellow plume of divine illumination blazing in our heart.
Vishnu's consort is Lakshmi, who is revered for her splendor, beauty,
prosperity and wealth. Lakshmi incarnated as Sita, Radha and Rukmini.
She restores our oneness with God and will multiply in manifold ways
the divine matrix dear to our hearts. Her symbols are the lotus and
the elephant for, signifying spiritual power and royal authority.
†
Shiva and his
Consorts Parvati, Durga and Kali
Shiva represents the Holy Spirit. his name in Sanskrit
means auspicious and kind. He is the giver of joy and the shepherd
of souls. Shiva is also Nataraja, Lord of the Dance, who dances the
universe into being, then dances it out of existence at the end of
an age. He abides on the summit of Mount Kailas, as well as in the
pink plume of divine love upon the altar of the heart. We can call
upon him to help us overcome negative habits by shouting his name,
Shiva!
Shiva has three consorts, Durga, Kali and Parvati.
Parvati is the gentle mother and wife, full of grace and beauty. Together,
they have a son, Skandha who is also known as Karttikeya, the god
of war, who is also identified with Sanat
Kumara. Durga is called the unfathomable one, terrible and menacing
to her enemies. She rides on the back of a tiger, which represents
the tyrant human ego of our lower nature. She manifests herself again
and again to protect the world and all of God's children, as she vanquishes
every demon. Kali is the most fearsome of Shiva's consorts and has
fierce, blazing eyes and a terrifying countenance. Her wrath is unleashed
on all of our human delusions and she destroys all of the human creation
that cannot withstand the trial by fire of the Holy Spirit. Simultaneously,
she bestows blessings on all who seek knowledge of God.