What does brahma mean?
Brahma is primarily known as the creator god of Hinduism, one of the three great deities who make up the Trimurti alongside Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiva, the destroyer. Traditionally depicted with four faces reciting the four Vedas and four arms, Brahma is credited with bringing the universe into being, often described as emerging from a lotus that sprang from Vishnu's navel. Despite his cosmic role, temples devoted exclusively to Brahma are notably rare, and worship of him is far less widespread than that of Vishnu or Shiva. The word also has a completely secular life as the name of a large American chicken breed developed in the nineteenth century, celebrated for its size and feathered legs. Care should be taken to distinguish Brahma from Brahman, the metaphysical absolute in Hindu thought, and from Brahmin, a member of the priestly class.
The creator god in Hinduism, the first member of the Trimurti, traditionally shown with four heads and four arms.
"Pilgrims visit the temple at Pushkar, one of the few shrines dedicated chiefly to Brahma."
A very large domestic chicken of an American breed, typically buff or light-coloured with feathered legs.
"She added two Brahma pullets to her backyard flock because of their gentle temperament."
Plural applies naturally to the chicken-breed sense; the deity's name does not take a plural except when referring to multiple depictions or mentions.
"The show featured several magnificent Brahmas, each weighing well over ten pounds."
The Brahma chicken, named after the god of creation, was once so prized that it fetched up to $150 a pair in 19th-century America — roughly a month's wages.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of brahma
The name Brahma derives from the Sanskrit bráhman-, a term connected to the root bṛh- meaning 'to grow' or 'to expand', reflecting the god's creative power. It entered English in the late eighteenth century through scholarly writing on Indian religion. Related English borrowings from the same Sanskrit source include Brahman and Brahmin, which denote different though etymologically linked concepts.
How brahma is actually used
As the name of a specific Hindu deity, 'Brahma' is a proper noun and is capitalized. It should be carefully distinguished from 'Brahman' (ultimate reality or Zebu cattle) and 'Brahmin' (priestly caste). In everyday speech outside religious contexts, 'Brahma' most often refers to the chicken breed.
Easily confused with brahma
Brahma is the creator god, while Brahman refers to the ultimate, impersonal reality in Hindu philosophy (and, capitalized differently, to humped Zebu cattle).
A Brahmin is a member of the Hindu priestly class, not the god Brahma himself.