While Hinduism may lay claim to millions of gods, in actual practice there are certain favorite gods that have become the focal point for various sects within Hinduism. Three of the most prominent gods are included in what Hindus call Trimurti, a trinity, or triad of gods. The triad consists of Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Siva the Destroyer, and each has at least one wife or consort. Brahma is wedded to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. Vishnus wife is Lakshmi, while Sivas first wife was Sati, who committed suicide. She was the first woman to enter sacrificial fire, and thus she became the first suttee. Following her mythological example, thousands of Hindu widows over the centuries have sacrificed themselves on their husbands funeral pyre, although this practice is now illegal. Siva also has another wife known by several names and titles. In her benign form, she is Parvati and Uma, as well as Gauri, the Golden One. As Durga or Kali, she is a terrifying goddess. Pr
Hinduism doesn’t have a trinity; it has triads. Triads are three gods in a relationship. The Trinity is a relationship so complex it’s studied for a whole semester at seminaries. The Trinity is NOT the same as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Look, I studied the subject for a semester and passed an exam on it. I actually know what I’m talking about, instead of just having an opinion. You can’t plug the names Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva into the three ecumenical creeds and come out with Hindu doctrine, which is not to criticize Hindu doctrine, it’s just to say that it’s not Christian doctrine (big surprise) any more than the triads of Greek mythology are Hindu or Christian doctrine, or that the resurrection of Mithras is equivalent to the resurrection of Jesus. There are similarities, same as there are similarities between an oxcart and a tractor. But the differences are just as great, and a little bit longer (took a semester, after all) than you’d have the patience to read or I to type.