摘要
在印度教神话中,梵天、毗湿奴、湿婆、因陀罗、伐楼那等都是某种称号类的名称,似头衔,相当于某个部族、部落、族群甚至阶层的代表、头人、首领等,不专指某一特定个体。梵天又称大梵天,在中国文化语境中,他是佛教的护法神之一,地位不高。在印度文化语境中,具体在印度教三大神体系中,梵天负责创造,位于毗湿奴大神和湿婆大神之后,甚至没有女神杜尔迦、象头神伽内什、猴神哈奴曼和战神室建陀等更受礼遇;毗湿奴庙、湿婆庙、杜尔迦庙比比皆是,梵天庙则凤毛麟角,且香火不盛。在日常生活中,信徒们对梵天并不敬重,虽口称老祖宗,但调侃戏谑之意溢于言表。虽然如此,梵天却是印度文化和印度社会中不可或缺的"人物"。他是梵语婆罗米字母的发明者和印度教诸多经典的编订者,是印度教精神世界的统御者和婆罗门种姓的代表;他制定了印度教社会规范和伦理准则,规定了人类生活的方方面面,是世界万物的源头和信徒生活的主持;他不动声色地以施恩和诅咒为工具,成功地展示了自己的赏赐能力和惩罚能量,立威树德,给印度教世界施加了随风潜入夜、润物细无声般的影响。不论从历史角度看,还是从神话角度看,梵天信仰都不可小觑,看似无用,没有地位,实则影响无处不在,似无实有;梵天在印度,乃至南亚次大陆以及其他具有印度教信仰的地区,随处可见,也处处不见。
In Hindu mythology,Brahma,Vishnu,Shiva,Indra,Varuna etc.are designative terms or titles used to denote a tribe,a clan,a community or the representatives,chieftains or leaders of a class,rather than indicating a specific individual.This assumption underlies the discussion of this essay.Brahma is also called"The Great Brahma".In the context of Chinese Buddhism,he is considered one of the Dharmapalas,protectors of dharma,that occupies an insignificant status.In Indian culture and particularly in the system of the Hindu Trinity,Brahma,creator of the universe,comes second to both Vishnu and Shiva.He is worshipped with less popularity even compared to Durga,Ganesh,Hanuman and Skanda.While temples dedicated to Vishnu,Shiva,Durga are erected everywhere in India,Brahma temples can be found in extremely small number and are worshipped unenthusiastically.In daily life,devotees do not show sufcient respect to Brahma.Although they address him as a great ancestor,this appellation often comes together with a sense of ridicule or disregard.However,Brahma is nonetheless an indispensable"fgure"in Indian culture and Indian society.He is the creator of the Brahmic script and the compiler of many Hindu classics.He is the ruler of the Hindu spiritual world as well as the representative of the Brahmin caste.From the perspective of either history or mythology,Brahma belief should not be overlooked.Despite his seemingly little capability and insignifcant position,Brahma’s infuences are in fact everywhere.In India,the subcontinent,and even other regions where Hinduism exists,Brahma takes a unique form that is invisible but ubiquitous.
出处
《南亚东南亚研究》
2021年第4期88-106,156,共20页
South and Southeast Asian Studies
