Astonishing Fact about Brahma Vishnu and Shiva

There is an astonishing fact about Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in Shrimad Devi Bhagavata Purana. The account is from an incidence when Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva see another Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The question that arises from this account in Shrimad Devi Bhagavata Purana is:-

Are there two God Brahma, two God Vishnu and two God Shiva?

What does Shrimad Devi Bhagavata Purana tell us about the mystery of two God Brahma, two God Vishnu and two God Shiva. 

Synopsis: in Shrimad Devi Bhagavata Purana, Skand 3, Adhyay 3, there is a description of an account where Goddess Durga asks Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to sit in a plane and she then gives them a tour of various places. While seated in that plane, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva visit different places where they see another Brahma, another Vishnu and another Shiva. On witnessing this, the three get completely perplexed and look at each other in amazement.

We will clarify later what is the mystery of two Brahmas, two Vishnus and two Shivas. First read the account in Shrimad Devi Bhagavata Purana below.

Shrimad Devi Bhagavata Purana, Skand 3, Adhyay 3

English - Shrimad Devi Bhagavata Purana, Skand 3, Chapter 3

12-30. Next we saw with great wonder, Varuna, the lord of the aquatic animals, Kuvera, Yama, Surya (sun), fire and the other Devas; then we saw that in our front, Indra the Lord of the Devas, was coming out from a well decorated city. He was there situated in his palanquin, calm and quiet and carried by men. Then the plane, where we were situated, began to get up high in the sky, and in the twinkling of an eye, we reached Brahma loka, that is saluted by all the Devas. There Shiva and Vishnu were greatly bewildered to see another Brahma of that place. In the council hall of Brahma, the Vedas with their Angas, the serpents, hills, oceans and rivers were seen. Seeing all these, Vishnu and Maheshvara asked me :-- “O Four-faced one! Who is this eternal Brahma? I replied :-- I do not know who is this Brahma? Who am I? and who is He? why has this error come over me? You, too, also are gods so you can better ponder over it.”

Next our plane, going with the swiftness of mind went, in the twinkling of an eye, to the beautiful all auspicious Kailasha mountain surrounded by bliss-giving Yaksas. It was beautified by the Mandara garden, resonated by the sweet cooings of Shukas and cuckoos and the sweet sounds of lutes and small drums and tabors. When we reached there we saw the five faced, three-eyed Bhagavan Shankara, with ten hands, wearing tiger skin, and the upper garment of the elephant skin. He was then, getting out of his abode, riding on a bull. His two sons, the great heroes, Ganesha and Kartikeya, beautifully adorned, were attending Him as His body guards. Nandi and all other hosts were following Him, chanting victories to Him. O Muni Narada! we were greatly wondered to see another Shankara, surrounded by the Matrikas. So much so, that perplexed with doubts, I sat down there.

Next our aeroplane went on with the force of wind; and in an instant reached the abode of Vaikuntha, the amusement court of Laksmi. O Suta! There at Vaikuntha, we saw a wonderful manifestation of power. Our companion Vishnu was greatly surprised to see that excellent city. We saw there four-armed Vishnu, of the colour of Atasi flower, wearing yellow garments, adorned with divine ornaments sitting on Garuda. Laksmi Devi is fanning wonderful chowry to Him. Struck with wonder at the sight of the eternal Vishnu, we took our seat on the plane and looked at one another's face.

Read: full analysis of Shrimad Bhagavata Purana

What is the explanation for two Brahma, two Vishnu and two Shiva?

Established fact is that Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are the lords of the three worlds i.e. Earth, Heaven and Nether-World (pataal lok). Another established fact is that Goddess Durga is the mother of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. There is mystery about who is the father of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Holy scriptures and Purana prove that Kaal (also known as Brahm) is the father of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

This God Kaal has his own personal universe which is called the "Brahm lok or Kaal lok". He has also pledged that no one can see him, thus he remains hidden. Kaal Brahm has done a lot of creation in his  personal universe (Brahm lok) where he has created three separate lokas in which he himself resides in three different forms as MahaBrahma, MahaVishnu and MahaShiva (also called Sadashiv). He keeps his wife as MahaSavitri, MahaLakshmi and Parvati respectively in these lokas. The children he has with Goddess Durga in each of these lokas are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva respectively. These three children are then given the responsibility of the Earth, Heaven and the Nether-World (pataal lok)

So, Goddess Durga in the above account in Shrimad Devi Bhagavata shows her children Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva these lokas of MahaBrahma, MahaVishnu and MahaShiva via an airplane where they see another Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. These are actually MahaBrahma, Mahavishnu and MahaShiva form of Kaal god that they see. 

One needs to have thorough understanding of Creation of Universe to understand this concept fully.

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