Brahma Amidst the Green World By Rajendra P Kerkar
Among the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, Brahma is considered to be the creator of this universe. He is known as Svayambhu or self-born. In the Rigveda, hiranya-garbha is mentioned as the cause of creation and hence he became hiranya-garbha. Followers of Shaivism and the Vaishnavism have tried to belittle his significance. Till the Middle Ages Brahma was important but afterwards many stories were circulated about his personal character which may have led to the decline of this deity. However, in spite of these stories Brahma is respected.
As a deity he has four faces, four arms, matted hair and wears the hide of a black antelope. In the Hindu iconography he is shown seated in padmasana, in a chariot drawn by seven swans. His four faces represents the four vedas, and the four arms indicate the four directions. It is believed that the whole universe evolved out of water and hence Brahma carries water in his kamandalu or vase. The rosary that he is depicted counting represents time and the seven swans of his chariot represent the seven worlds. He springs from the naval of Vishnu and sits on a lotus, which symbolises the earth. These characteristics of the icon of Brahma clearly establish his link with the environment and ecology and hence he was worshipped in areas that were ecologically rich. The village of Carmoli near Nagargao of Sattari is popularly known as Brahma-Carmoli in Goa. It has received a separate identity due to the independent temple of Brahma. The history of the village dates back into antiquity, which can easily be established from the rock arts found at the Dudinsada. As per the local tradition, the village was formerly known as Chandiwade. Etymologically the name Chandiwade indicates that the village was densely forested. The tree Macaranga peltata locally popular as Chanduvado is predominant. Leaves of the tree contain an anti-coagulant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, neuro-protective and anti-ulcer compound called bergenin. Even today this village has a good forest cover, which forms a part of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. The name of the village was changed to Brahma-Carmoli when the idol of Brahma was brought here from Carmoli in Tiswadi, in 1541. The locals believe that Bonbo of Moula and Shiren dongor of Brahmapuri, Old Goa in Tiswadi had temples dedicated to Brahma. Before the advent of the Portuguese in Tiswadi, the Gawda dominated Carmoli was ecologically and culturally a rich village with many temples. The lake of Carmoli was well protected and had a wide range of flora and fauna. As per the locals, in the past, the Gawdas came to Brahma-Carmoli once a year and staged the folk drama 'Gawda Jagor' in front of Brahma. Earlier, during the festival of Shigmo the villagers of Brahma-Carmoli sang the Lavani, a typical folk song tradition prevalent in Sattari, which mentions how Brahma arrived and how he expressed his desire to stay there forever.
The stone idol of Brahma from Brahma-Carmoli is one of the best specimens of Goan Kadamba art. The sculpture is depicted in a standing posture. The various elements of biodiversity like the bull, the goose, the crocodile, the lotus, etc, are represented on it. In the temples of Bhagvati in Parse and Mauli in Virnoda (both in Pernem) Brahma is an affiliated deity. In the stone sculpture of Brahma found in the village of Colomb in Sanguem the swan is shown as Brahma's mount.
All the four places where the sculptures of Brahma were found were lush green and blessed with the perennial springs. The fertile soil helped the agricultural communities to establish their settlement. Though the cult of Brahma is not popular the people of Goa still worship him at these places. Out in the open countryside on the edge of gently terraced irrigated paddy field backed by groves of betel nuts with the hills rising beyond, the setting of Brahma's temple in Brahma-Carmoli is one of great peace and charm.
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