Are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiv immortal?

Answer: No, they are not immortal. They experience birth and death and have both a mother and a father.

Answer: Evidence can be found in the Shri Devi Mahapuran (published by Gita Press, Gorakhpur), Third Skand, page 123. In it, Shri Vishnu prays to his mother, Goddess Durga, and says:

• "O Mother! You are the pure form from whom the entire world originates. By your grace, we exist. I, Brahma, and Shankar (Shiv) are born and die. We undergo (Aavirbhaav) birth and (Tirobhaav) death. We are not immortal. You are the eternal mother of the universe, Goddess Sanatani, and Goddess Prakriti."

Additionally, God Shankar says:

• "O Mother! When Brahma, who was born after Vishnu, is your son, then am I, Shankar, who performs Tamoguni divine acts, not also your son?"

This confirms that Goddess Durga (also known as Goddess Ashtangi) is the mother of Shri Brahma, Shri Vishnu, and Shri Shankar, and that they are all mortal.

Who are the Mother and Father of Shri Brahma, Shri Vishnu, and Shri Shiv?

Evidence: According to Shri Shiv Mahapuran (published by Gita Press Gorakhpur), their father is described in detail in the Rudrasanhita Khand (pages 100 to 110). Here's the account:

While answering his son Narad Ji, Shri Brahma Ji explained:

"In the beginning, only one 'Sadbrahm' existed, and everything else was destroyed. That formless God appeared in the form of Shiv, also known as 'Sadashiv.' From his body, he brought forth a woman who became known as Durga, Jagdambika, Prakriti Devi, and the Mother of the Tridev (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiv). This woman has eight arms and is also called 'Shiva'."

Birth of Shri Vishnu Ji: Sadashiv and Shiva (Durga) lived as husband and wife and gave birth to a son named Vishnu.

Birth of Shri Brahma Ji: Brahma Ji said that just as Vishnu Ji was born from the union of Shiv and Shiva, he too was born in the same way.

Note: In this context, Shiv refers to Kaal Brahm, and Shiva refers to Goddess Durga. Although Rudra Sanhita Khand does not mention the birth of Shankar Ji, in Devi Puran, Shankar Ji himself admits that he was born from Durga (Prakriti).

Birth of Shri Shankar Ji (Shiv): Shri Shiv Mahapuran (Vidhveshwar Sanhita Khand, pages 24-30) provides evidence of Shankar Ji's birth. Once, Shri Brahma Ji and Shri Vishnu Ji began arguing, with Brahma Ji claiming to be Vishnu Ji's father, and Vishnu Ji asserting the opposite. At that moment, Sadashiv (Kaal Brahm) placed a radiant white pillar between them and, appearing in the form of Shankar, told them that neither of them was the creator. This confirms Shankar Ji's origin as the son of Shiv and Shiva (Kaal Brahm and Durga).

"O sons! I have assigned you two tasks—Brahma for the production and Vishnu for the maintenance of the world. Likewise, I have given the tasks of destruction and death to Shankar and Rudra. In the Vedas, I am called Brahm. I have five mouths, from which emerged the following:

• From the first mouth, 'Akaar' (Aa),
• From the second mouth, 'Ukaar' (U),
• From the third mouth, 'Mukaar' (Ma),
• From the fourth mouth, 'Bindu' (.),
• And from the fifth mouth, 'Sound' (Shabd).

Together, these five components form the word 'Om,' my original mantra."

This account from Shiv Mahapuran demonstrates that the mother of Shri Brahma, Shri Vishnu, and Shri Shankar is Goddess Durga (also known as Ashtangi), and their father is Sadashiv, also called "Kaal Brahm." Kaal Brahm is the same being who narrated the knowledge of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita by entering Shri Krishna's body. He is also referred to as Kshar Purush and Kshar Brahm.

This same evidence is found in Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 14, Verses 3 to 5, which explains that the three qualities—Rajgun (Brahma), Satgun (Vishnu), and Tamgun (Shankar)—originate from Prakriti, or Goddess Durga. Prakriti is the mother who gives birth to all living beings. The speaker of the knowledge in the Gita states, "I am the father of all living beings. I place the seed in Durga's (Prakriti's) womb, from which everything is produced."

Answer:

1. Shri Markandey Puran (Illustrated, Bold Font, published by Gita Press Gorakhpur) on page 123 states that Rajgun (Rajas) is associated with Brahma, Satgun (Sattva) with Vishnu, and Tamgun (Tamas) with Shankar. These three are considered the primary powers of Brahm, and together, they are recognized as the three main gods who represent these three qualities (gunas).
2. In Shri Devi Mahapuran (Sanskrit and Hindi translation, published by Shri Venkateshwar Press, Bombay), in Third Skand, Chapter 5, Verse 8, Lord Shankar says, "O Mother! If you are kind to us, then why did you assign me the Tamogun, Brahma the Rajogun, and Vishnu the Satogun?"

This evidence clearly shows that Rajgun is attributed to Brahma, Satgun to Vishnu, and Tamgun to Shankar.

Who is the immortal God?

Answer: Let’s first clarify whether Shri Brahma, Shri Vishnu, Shri Shankar, and Kaal Brahma are considered God. You rightly stated that God is unborn and does not take birth. The previous evidence has shown that Brahma, Vishnu, and Shankar have a mother and father and that Brahm (Kaal) also takes birth, which proves that they are not the eternal God. Now, the question remains: Who is the immortal God?

To answer this, let’s refer to the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita itself, which clearly distinguishes the immortal God from the speaker of the Gita (Kaal Brahm):

Gita Chapter 2, Verse 12; Gita Chapter 4, Verse 5; Gita Chapter 10, Verse 2 – The speaker of the Gita (Kaal Brahm) clarifies that he has an origin, saying, "Arjun, you and I have had several births. I am also mortal." Thus, the speaker admits his mortality.

Gita Chapter 2, Verse 17 – The speaker refers to a higher, immortal being: "Consider Him to be immortal, whom nobody is capable of killing, and who is the creator of everyone."

Gita Chapter 15, Verses 16-17 – These verses mention three God:

• Two Purush (God) are famous in this world - Kshar Purush and Akshar Purush. These two gods and all the living beings under them are mortal. Everyone's soul is immortal.
• Verse 17 introduces the Uttam Purush (Supreme Being), also known as Purushottam, who is beyond Kshar and Akshar Purush. ("Uttam PurushH tu anyaH Parmatma iti udaahrtH") He sustains the entire universe and is the true immortal God.

Gita Chapter 7, Verse 29 – It is stated that those worshippers who strive to escape the cycle of old age and death know Tat Brahm, which refers to the supreme spiritual being.

In Gita Chapter 8, Verse 3, the speaker explains that Tat Brahm is Param Akshar Brahm or Purushottam.

Resolution of Doubt:

In Gita Chapter 15, Verse 18, the speaker of the Gita (Kaal Brahm) claims, "I am superior to all beings within my 21 universes. Therefore, based on popular belief (Lokved), I am known as Purushottam (Supreme Being)." However, the true meaning of Purushottam is clarified in Gita Chapter 15, Verse 17.

The verse explains that the Uttam Purush (Supreme God), or Purushottam, is distinct from both Kshar Purush (the speaker of the Gita) and Akshar Purush (the lord of 7 universes). This Purushottam is the real God, who sustains and governs all creation. Unlike the mortal beings in the 21 universes, He is immortal and referred to as Param Akshar Brahm—the Master of countless universes, the Creator of all, and the true God.

Answer: - While the term "Akshar" generally means immortal, in the context of Gita Chapter 15, Verse 16, it refers to a different meaning. Here, it is stated that there are two Purush (Gods) in this world—Kshar Purush and Akshar Purush. Both of these and all the living beings under their domain are mortal, even though their souls do not die.

In Gita Chapter 15, Verse 17, the text clarifies that Purushottam (Supreme God) is distinct from both Kshar and Akshar Purush. He alone is truly immortal and sustains everything in creation. Gita Chapter 8, Verse 3, also mentions Tat Brahm as "Param Akshar Brahm," further indicating that beyond the Akshar Purush, there exists Param Akshar Brahm, the ultimate immortal being.

Evidence: The lifespan of the gods demonstrates this distinction between the terms. For example:

• The age of Brahma is 100 divine years. One Chaturyug is of four Yugas (Satyayug, Tretayug, Dwaparyug and Kalyug). Its duration is humans' 43,20,000 (forty-three lakh twenty thousand) years. Each divine day of Brahma consists of 1008 Chaturyugas, and his night is of equal length. One month is made up of 30 such days and nights.  A year for Brahma is made up of 12 such months, and his age is 100 such years.
• Vishnu's age is 7 times that of Brahma, i.e., 700 divine years.
• Shankar's age is 7 times that of Vishnu, i.e., 4900 divine years.
• As for Kshar Purush (Brahm), after the death of 70,000 Shankars, Kshar Purush himself dies. This duration is equivalent to one yug of Akshar Purush.

Thus, the Akshar Purush, though long-lived, is not truly immortal, while Param Akshar Brahm is the eternal and supreme entity.

Age of Akshar Purush:

In Gita Chapter 8, Verse 17, it is mentioned:

Translation: Most translators have incorrectly interpreted this verse to mean "One thousand Chaturyugs of Brahma." This is inaccurate. If we examine the original text, we find the phrase "Sahansr yug," which translates to "one thousand yugas," not "Sahansr Chaturyug."

Thus, the correct translation of Gita Chapter 8, Verse 17 should be:

Akshar Purush’s day is of the duration of one thousand yugas, and his night is also of the same duration. Those who understand this know the day-night cycle of Akshar Purush.

Meaning: The term "Brahma" is absent from the original text, and "Chatur Yug" is also not mentioned. Instead, the word "BrahmnH" appears, which refers to Sachidanand Ghan Brahm, also known as Param Akshar Brahm. In context, this word can also mean ParBrahm (Akshar Brahm).

Thus, the verse emphasizes the immense lifespan of Akshar Purush, whose day and night span a thousand yugas each. However, even Akshar Purush is not immortal in the absolute sense; only Param Akshar Brahm is truly eternal.

Evidence: In Gita Chapter 17, Verse 23, the term "BrahmnH" is correctly translated as Sachidanand Ghan Brahm. However, in Gita Chapter 8, Verse 17, which discusses the topic of lifespan, "Brahmn" refers to Akshar Brahm. The verse explains that one day of Akshar Purush equals one thousand yugas, and his night is of equal duration. After the death of 70,000 Shankars, one Kshar Purush also perishes. This marks the duration of one yug for Akshar Purush, and his day lasts for 1,000 such yugas. After 100 such years, Akshar Purush too dies, confirming that both Kshar Purush and Akshar Purush are mortal, as stated in Gita Chapter 15, Verse 16. Only the immortal Param Akshar Brahm remains beyond the destruction of all living beings, as clarified in Gita Chapter 15, Verse 17.

Example for Understanding:

1. Clay Cups and Saucers (Kshar Purush): Clay items are fragile and break easily when dropped. This represents Kshar Purush, who is perishable and mortal.
2. Steel Cups and Saucers (Akshar Purush): Steel items are durable and take a long time to rust and decay. Although they appear long-lasting, they too eventually perish, representing Akshar Purush.
3. Gold Cups and Saucers (Param Akshar Brahm): Gold items never rust or perish. This symbolizes Param Akshar Brahm, who is truly immortal and beyond destruction.

Thus, the term "Akshar" usually means "immortal," but in certain contexts like Gita Chapter 15, Verse 16, it also denotes something long-lasting but ultimately perishable. True immortality lies only with Param Akshar Brahm.

Further Clarification:

In Gita Chapter 8, Verse 11, the meaning of "Akshar" is indeed Immortal God:

Translation: "Whom the Tatvadarshi saints, that is, the Mahatmas who know the essence of the Vedas, call Immortal; the world in which worshippers engrossed in devotion, free from attachment, enter; and the God whose desirous worshippers follow the disciple tradition; I will briefly explain that state to you."

In this verse, "Akshar" refers to the Immortal God, confirming that Param Akshar Brahm is the only true immortal being.

As Kabir Ji has said in Sukshm Ved: