# The principal demigods
*The Vedic cosmos is administered by various demigods (devas) who serve as empowered agents of the Supreme Lord. Chief among them are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva — often called the Trimurti. Understanding their relationships and functions helps clarify the Vaishnava understanding of how they relate to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.*
## The Trimurti: Creator, Maintainer, Destroyer
### Their Functions
- **Brahma** — Creates the universe
- **Vishnu** — Maintains the universe
- **Shiva** — Destroys the universe at the end
However, their positions are not equal:
![[sb/2/6/32]]
![[sb/1/2/23]]
## Lord Vishnu: The Supreme Source
### Vishnu is the Origin
Brahma and Shiva are both generated from Vishnu. Brahma comes from the lotus growing from Vishnu's navel, while Shiva manifests from Brahma:
![[sb/3/8/14]]
![[sb/3/12/4]]
### The Guna-avataras
The three preside over the three modes of nature, but Vishnu remains transcendental:
![[bg/14/5]]
![[sb/1/2/23]]
## Lord Brahma: The Creator
### Brahma's Position
Brahma is the first created being and the secondary creator of the universe. He creates under Vishnu's direction:
![[sb/2/5/17]]
![[sb/3/9/1]]
### Brahma's Devotion
Despite his exalted position, Brahma is a devotee of the Lord:
![[sb/2/9/30]]
![[sb/3/9/4]]
## Lord Shiva: The Greatest Devotee
### Shiva's Unique Position
Lord Shiva is neither ordinary jiva nor Vishnu Himself — he is in a special category:
![[sb/4/4/12]]
![[sb/4/7/50]]
### Shiva as Vaishnava
Shiva is celebrated as the greatest Vaishnava (devotee of Vishnu):
![[sb/4/24/28]]
## How They Relate
```
KRISHNA / VISHNU
(Supreme Source)
│
│ maintains
▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ MATERIAL CREATION │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘
│
┌──────────────┼──────────────┐
│ │ │
▼ │ ▼
BRAHMA │ SHIVA
creates │ destroys
(mode of passion) │ (mode of ignorance)
│ │ │
└──────────────┼──────────────┘
│
▼
VISHNU MAINTAINS
(mode of goodness)
(but is transcendental)
```
## Worship Considerations
### All Demigods Worship Vishnu
![[bg/7/20]]
![[sb/4/7/44]]
### Proper Understanding
Devotees respect all demigods but understand Vishnu/Krishna as supreme:
![[sb/4/7/50]]
![[bg/9/23]]
## Their Cooperation
The demigods work cooperatively for cosmic management. When disturbances arise, they approach Vishnu:
![[sb/3/13/14]]
![[sb/8/5/19]]
## Related Articles
- [[wiki/articles/Lord Brahma the creator|Lord Brahma the creator]] — The secondary creator
- [[wiki/articles/Lord Shiva the great devotee|Lord Shiva the great devotee]] — The greatest Vaishnava
- [[wiki/articles/The role of demigods|The role of demigods]] — Their function in the cosmos
- [[wiki/articles/The three modes of material nature|The three modes of material nature]] — What they control
## From the Index
- [[index/entries/brahma|Brahma]] — The creator
- [[index/entries/siva|Shiva]] — The destroyer
- [[index/entries/visnu|Vishnu]] — The maintainer
- [[index/entries/demigods|Demigods]] — The administrative devas
- [[index/entries/trimurti|Trimurti]] — The three principal deities