Editing Trimurti (section)

== Evolution ==
The [[Puranas|Puranic period]] from the 4th to the 12th century CE saw the rise of post-[[Vedic period|Vedic]] religion and the evolution of what [[R. C. Majumdar]] calls "synthetic Hinduism."<ref>For dating of Puranic period as c. CE 300–1200 and quotation, see: Majumdar, R. C. "Evolution of Religio-Philosophic Culture in India", in: Radhakrishnan (CHI, 1956), volume 4, p. 47.</ref>

Following is a well-known verse from the Vishnu Purana (1.2.66) that mentions Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva together in a single verse, highlighting their roles within the cosmic functions of creation, preservation, and destruction.

rūpāṇi trīṇi tatraiva mūrttibheda-vibhāgataḥ |<br>

ajāmyekāmśam ātmānaṁ śiva-rūpeṇa tishthati ||<br>

jagataḥ sthiti-samdhānaṁ samharanti yuge yuge |<br>

trayaṁ brahma-mahā-viṣṇu-māheśvara-iti smṛtam ||<br>

Translation: "In this way, the one supreme entity divides itself into three forms—Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Shiva)—taking on different aspects. It creates, preserves, and destroys the universe in various ages."

This period had no homogeneity, and included orthodox [[Vedic Brahmanism|Brahmanism]] in the form of remnants of older Vedic faith traditions, along with different sectarian religions, notably [[Shaivism]], [[Vaishnavism]], and [[Shaktism]] that were within the orthodox fold yet still formed distinct entities.<ref>For characterization as non-homogeneous and including multiple traditions, see: [[R._C._Majumdar|Majumdar]], R. C. "Evolution of Religio-Philosophic Culture in India", in: Radhakrishnan (CHI, 1956), volume 4, p. 49.</ref> One of the important traits of this period is a spirit of harmony between orthodox and sectarian forms.<ref>For harmony between orthodox and sectarian groups, see: [[R._C._Majumdar|Majumdar, R. C.]] "Evolution of Religio-Philosophic Culture in India", in: Radhakrishnan (CHI, 1956), volume 4, p. 49.</ref> 

Regarding this spirit of reconciliation, [[R. C. Majumdar]] says that:

<blockquote>Its most notable expression is to be found in the theological conception of the {{IAST|Trimūrti}}, in other words, the manifestation of the supreme God in three forms of {{IAST|Brahmā}}, {{IAST|Viṣṇu}}, and {{IAST|Śiva}} ... But the attempt cannot be regarded as a great success, for {{IAST|Brahmā}} never gained an ascendancy comparable to that of {{IAST|Śiva}} or {{IAST|Viṣṇu}}, and the different sects often conceived the {{IAST|Trimūrti}} as really the three manifestations of their own sectarian god, whom they regarded as [[Brahman]] or Absolute.<ref>For quotation see: see: Majumdar, R. C. "Evolution of Religio-Philosophic Culture in India", in: Radhakrishnan (CHI, 1956), volume 4, p. 49.</ref></blockquote>

The identification of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva as one being is strongly emphasized in the ''{{IAST|Kūrma}} Purāṇa''. In verse 1.6, [[Brahman]] is worshipped as Trimurti; verse 1.9 especially inculcates the unity of the three gods, and verse 1.26 relates to the same theme.<ref>For references to {{IAST|Kūrma}} Purana see: Winternitz, volume 1, p. 573, note 2.</ref> 

Noting Western interest in the idea of trinity, historian [[Arthur Llewellyn Basham|A. L. Basham]] explains the background of the Trimurti as follows:

<blockquote>There must be some doubt as to whether the Hindu tradition has ever recognized Brahma as the Supreme Deity in the way that Visnu and Siva have been conceived of and worshiped.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sutton |first1=Nicholas |title=Religious doctrines in the Mahābhārata |date=2000 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers |location=Delhi |isbn=81-208-1700-1 |page=182 |edition=1st}}</ref></blockquote>  The concept of Trimurti is also present in the ''[[Maitri Upanishad]]'', where the three gods are explained as three of his supreme forms.<ref>"Brahma, Rudra, and Vishnu are called the supreme forms of him. His portion of darkness is! Rudra. His portion of passion is Brahma. His portion of purity is Visnu"—''[[Maitri Upanishad]]'' [5.2]</ref>