Lord Brahma is rarely worshipped in temples or households, even though sages profoundly revere and worship him in the ancient Hindu texts. So much so that in India, a country full of temples, there is only one temple devoted to him! But why is the creator of the cosmos universe so denied of worship? What’s the story? Let’s find out!
When the universe first began, according to the Shiva Purana, Vishnu and Brahmā approached a massive Shiva Lingam and began their quest to determine Shiva’s beginning and end. Brahma was assigned to seek the beginning, and Vishnu the finish. While Brahma assumed the form of a swan and started to fly upward, Vishnu took on the form of his third avatar, the boar Varaha, and dug himself down into the earth. Nevertheless, neither was able to determine Shiva’s beginning or end. Shiv was Infinite.
Vishnu accepted his defeat, but Brahma did not give up so easily. He observed a ketaki (Sanskrit: Kaetakee) blossom, which is sacred to Shiva, as he was climbing. He was compelled by his vanity to persuade the flower to provide a fake account of Brahmā discovering Shiva’s origins. Shiva, the All-Knowing, was enraged by the Brahma’s pride as he delivered his story. Enraged by his lie, Lord Shiva cursed him for being undeserving of worship; saying that he would be worshipped by no living in the three planets.
Another mythical tale narrates that Brahma was infatuated with Shatarupa(one with a hundred beautiful forms), a beautiful female deity he had created. Brahma became immediately infatuated with his creation. Shatarupa moved in various directions to avoid the gaze of Brahma. But wherever she went, Brahma developed a head. Thus, Brahma developed five heads, one on each side and one above the others. Angered by this indecency, Lord Shiva cut off the top head. Also, Shiva felt that Shatarupa was Brahma’s daughter, being created by him. Shiva punished Brahma by cursing that no one on Earth would ever worship him.
Now, which one is true, no one will ever know. Brahma only has few temples but One temple in Pushkar dedicated to him. While Vishnu and Shiva continue to be worshiped with temples all over the world. Ever since the incident, Brahma has been reciting the four Vedas in his attempt at repentance.
