三相神(梵文:त्रिमूर्तिः trimūrti),在梵文中原意為「有三種形式」,是印度教的一個概念,「將宇宙的創造、維持和毀滅的功能分別人性化為創造者梵天,維護者或保護者毗濕奴,以及毀滅者或轉化者濕婆」 [1][2]。這三位神靈被認為是「印度教的三合一(the Hindu triad)」[3]或「偉大的三位一體」[4],或稱為「梵天-毗濕奴-濕婆」。也有人認為這種三個神靈互相獨立的理論,應該稱之為三位三體論,當三個神都合為一體時,這個化身被稱為Dattatreya(英語:Dattatreya)。
For the Trimurti system having Brahma as the creator, Vishnu as the maintainer or preserver, and Shiva as the transformer or destroyer. see Zimmer (1972) p. 124.
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.
For characterization as non-homogeneous and including multiple traditions, see: Majumdar, R. C. "Evolution of Religio-Philosophic Culture in India", in: Radhakrishnan(CHI, 1956), volume 4, p. 49.
For harmony between orthodox and sectarian groups, see: Majumdar, R. C. "Evolution of Religio-Philosophic Culture in India", in: Radhakrishnan(CHI, 1956), volume 4, p. 49.
"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 Upanisad [5.2]
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