The Trimurti...is a concept in Hinduism "in which the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified by the forms of Brahmā the creator, Vishnu the maintainer or preserver, and Śiva the destroyer or transformer."[1][2]
These three deities have been called "the Hindu triad" [3] or the "Great Trinity". They are often looked at as the creator, preserver and destroyer respectively. [4] Freda Matchett characterizes the Trimurti system as one of "several frameworks into which various divine figures can be fitted at different levels."[5] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trimurti Paramatma In Hindu theology, Paramatman or Paramātmā is the Absolute Atman or Supreme Soul or Spirit (also known as Supersoul or Oversoul) in the Vedanta and Yoga philosophies of India. Paramatman is one of the aspects of Brahman. Paramatman is situated in the heart of every individual jiva in the macrocosm. The Upanishads compare Atman and Paramatman to two birds sitting like friends on the branch of a tree (body). The Atman eats its fruits (karma), and the Paramatman only observes the Atman as a witness (sākṣin) of His friend's actions. Description in Upanishads The relationship between Paramātmā and Atman is likened to the indwelling God and the soul within one's heart like two birds on a tree. Like two birds of golden plumage, inseparable companions, the individual self and the immortal Self are perched on the branches of the selfsame tree. The former tastes of the sweet and bitter fruits of the tree; the latter, tasting of neither, calmly observes. (Mundaka Upanishad 3.1.1) [1] They are two birds, close companions, clasping the same tree. Of the two, one eats sweet fruit; the other looks on without eating. On this same tree a person, sunk and grieving in slavery, is deluded, but upon observing the Lord happy and great, becomes free of sorrow. (Shvetashvatara Upanishad 4.7) [2] The Supreme Being that dwells in our heart is dearer to us than even our children, wealth and everything else. (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.8) Madhuvidyā of Brihad-Âranyaka further declares - Paramātmā Sri Bhagavān is the sweetness in everything. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramatman Guru Dev referred specifically to Paramatma as simultaneously the unmanifest and manifest form of God. He further said the following about being a devotee of Paramatma [God]. "We, while staying in the jungles, have experienced the all-powerful nature of Paramatma. There in deep forests, where there are no facilities for living easily available; all needs of the devotee were looked into by Paramatma. How can a prince experience any need in his own Kingdom? The devotee of the all-powerful Lord, wherever, in any of the three worlds he might be, he is the prince and so he will live in bliss. How can the all-powerful Lord tolerate the suffering of his devotee? Through one's faith, devotion and trust in Paramatma alone and none else, it is certain to get the Lord's attention. From then onwards Paramatma himself will look after the well being of the devotee. There will be no need to pray for one's welfare. When the son gets sick, he requests the father to get him treated and then the father acts. Is it? Since the father will not be able to see his son suffer. Even without asking, he will do his best to get his son cured. Thus, who becomes Paramatma's, who wrests Paramatma's love for themselves, for them Paramatma, without even a request, will do the needful. It is an experienced fact, that Paramatma's devotee can never be unhappy." 'Shri Shankaracharya Upadesh Amrita Kana 45 of 108 http://www.shrigurudevji.com/article.asp?article=shri_shankaracharya_upadesh_amrita
