Trimurti

Traditional The Trimurti[a] (/t̪ɾimʊɾt̪iː/) is the trinity of supreme divinity in Hinduism,[2][3][4][5] in which the cosmic functions of creation, preservation, and destruction are personified as a triad of deities.

[11] Regarding this spirit of reconciliation, R. C. Majumdar says that: Its most notable expression is to be found in the theological conception of the Trimūrti, in other words, the manifestation of the supreme God in three forms of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva ...

[12]The identification of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva as one being is strongly emphasized in the Kūrma Purāṇa, wherein 1.6 Brahman is worshipped as Trimurti; 1.9 especially inculcates the unity of the three gods, and 1.26 relates to the same theme.

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

Shaivites hold that, according to Shaiva Agama, Shiva performs five actions: creation, preservation, dissolution, grace, and illusion.

[18] The tradition of Sri Vaishnavism in the south holds that all major deities that are hailed in the Puranas are in fact forms of Vishnu, and that the scriptures are dedicated to him alone.

[19] The female-centric Shaktidharma denomination assigns the eminent roles of the three forms (Trimurti) of Supreme Divinity not to masculine gods but instead to feminine goddesses: Mahasarasvati (Creatrix), Mahalaxmi (Preservatrix), and Mahakali (Destructrix).

[20] The "worship of the five forms" (pañcāyatana pūjā) system, which was popularized by the ninth-century philosopher Śankarācārya among orthodox Brahmins of the Smārta tradition, invokes the five deities Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Shakti and Surya.