Why are there three Gods (Brahma-Vishnu-Shiv) if there is only one God, as stated in the Vedas or Puranas?

 Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!

The answer is given in the Vishnu Purana.

ParaBrahman creates through Lord Brahma, maintains through Lord Vishnu, and destroys through Lord Shiva.

srishtisthithyanthakaraneem brahmavishnushivaathmikaam sa sajnaam yaathi bhagavaan eka eva janaardhanaha

Translation:

“In order to handle creation, sustenance, and destruction, the one and only Janaardhana takes the names of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswara.” - Vishnu Purana 1.2.66

The term ‘Trimurti’ literally means ‘three forms’ and refers to them being the three guna-avataras (i.e., the three expansions that oversee the cycle of creation, maintenance, and destruction).

Hence, in this context, they are qualitatively nondifferent from one another.

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
ahaṁ brahmā ca śarvaś ca jagataḥ kāraṇaṁ param ātmeśvara upadraṣṭā svayan-dṛg aviśeṣaṇaḥ

Translation:

“Lord Viṣṇu replied: Brahmā, Lord Śiva and I are the supreme cause of the material manifestation. I am the Supersoul, the self-sufficient witness. But impersonally there is no difference between Brahmā, Lord Śiva and Me.” - Srimad Bhagavatam 4.7.50

The reason the Trimurti exists is because it is believed that ParaBrahman never directly associates with the material realm to create, maintain, and destroy and acts indirectly through His expansions.

This is stated by Lord Brahma:

māyayāramamāṇasya na viyogas tayā saha

Translation:

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead never consorts with His illusory energy. Still, her connection is not entirely cut off from the Absolute Truth.” - Brahma Samhita 5.7

This is stated by Lord Vishnu:

ātma-māyāṁ samāviśya so ’haṁ guṇamayīṁ dvija sṛjan rakṣan haran viśvaṁ dadhre saṁjñāṁ kriyocitām

Translation:

“My dear Dakṣa Dvija, I am the original Personality of Godhead, but in order to create, maintain and annihilate this cosmic manifestation, I act through My material energy, and according to the different grades of activity, My representations are differently named.” - Srimad Bhagavatam 4.7.51

This is stated by Lord Shiva:

yam āhur asya sthiti-janma-saṁyamaṁ tribhir vihīnaṁ yam anantam ṛṣayaḥ

Translation:

“All the great sages accept the Lord as the source of creation, maintenance and destruction, although He actually has nothing to do with these activities. Therefore the Lord is called unlimited.” - Srimad Bhagavatam 5.17.21

Hare Krishna

Who wrote Vedas and when was it written?

 Nobody wrote the Vedas. Vedas are authorless. They are eternal and always praise the Supreme Bhagavan. That’s why they are known as Apaurusheya (authorless). The Brihadaranyaka Upanishads themselves say:

स यथार्द्रैन्धाग्नेरभ्याहितात्पृथग्धूमा विनिश्चरन्ति,
एवं वा अरेऽस्य महतो भूतस्य निःश्वसितमेतद्यदृग्वेदो यजुर्वेदः सामवेदोऽथर्वाङ्गिरस इतिहासः पुराणं विद्या उपनिषदः श्लोकाः सूत्राण्यनुव्याख्यानानि व्याख्यानानी;
अस्यैवैतानि सर्वाणि निःश्वसितानि ॥

[Brihadaranyaka Upanishad]

Here, it clearly states that the Vedas like the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda, the Itihasas like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the Puranas, Upanishads, and their verses, the Brahma Sutras are all the breaths of the Paramatma, who is being referred over here as महतो भूतस्य.

So, when the Vedas are the breaths of the Bhagavan, then who can compose them? Nobody. So, Bhagavan is the only source of the Vedas. These Vedas existed eternally. At the very beginning of the cosmic creation, Lord Brahma was feeling sleepy. Hence, he went into nidra. Therefore, two demons by the name Madhu and Kaitabha, stole the Vedas from Lord Brahma.

Lord Brahma, then prayed to Lord Narayana, and He assumed the form of Lord Hayagriva and destroyed these two demons, and returned back the Vedas to Lord Brahma. Lord Hayagriva composed the Moola Ramayana. This is told in the Matsya Purana. This Moola Ramayana contains 100 crore shlokas. From Lord Hayagriva, it went to Brahma, from Brahma it went to Naarada Maharshi and from Naarada Maharshi it came to Sage Valmiki. But then after that too, the Vedas were not understood.

So here, Lord Hayagriva, also compiled the Vedas into a structured format so that it becomes understandable. So, that’s why, Lord Vishnu, in Dvapara Yuga, incarnated as Vedavyasa and divided the Vedas (He didn’t compose them) into Rig, Yajus, Sama and Atharva. These Vedas never contradict themselves. But there were some parts in the Vedas, which were appearing as if they were contradicting, if we would see that superficially. Therefore, in order to clear those contradictions, which appeared to happen there, Lord Vedavyasa, composed the Brahma Sutras, which have short formula like verses which would clear the correct meaning of that part of the Vedas.

Plus, Lord Vedavyasa compiled all the 18 Mahapuranas, and wrote the Mahabharata. SriMadhvacharya says that the Mahabharata was written first and then it happened. Therefore, whenever the story of the Mahabharata was on the verge to stop, Lord Vedavyasa would come there and take the story forward, and we can notice this in the Mahabharata. And this Mahabharata is also considered as the Panchama Veda, and hence should be seen not only as a political fight, but with a vision of spiritual lessons that we can gain from it.

The Vedas and Upanishads praise the Supreme Bhagavan. But the most astonishing fact is, the Supreme Bhagavan is even beyond the Vedas. Each and every Shaastra, talks about the greatness of Bhagavan, plus the ways in which we can please Bhagavan. So, the Vedas aren’t written by anyone. Talking about when it was written? Then well, as I said these Vedas are the very breath of Bhagavan, and Bhagavan is eternal, these Vedas don’t have a fixed day, date, and time, when it was written.

Hope this helps!
Jay SriRam!
ShriKrishnarpanamastu!

What is Lord Ganesh’s birth story according to the Vedas?

 

According to Shiva Purana, the birth story of Lord Ganesh is ::

There was an Asura named Gajasura(the Elephant demon), he was a great devotee of God Shiva. He did many years of penance to Shiva. God Shiva who was very happy with his penance, gave Darshan to him. “Hey Gajasura, I’m very pleased with your Tapasya, please ask for any desired boon”, said Shiva with a smirk.

Gajasur says, “hey Prabhu, I love you more than anything or anyone, so I want you to be always close to me. So, I hereby wish that, you stay in my udaramu(belly) forever, so that you would ever leave me. God Shiva just smiles and says, “as you wish(thadasthu)”. So from that very moment, God Shiva in the linga form resided in Gajasur’s stomach.

Meanwhile the Universe and all the residents started to suffer in the absence of Mahadev. Many Devas went and requested the Asura to release God Shiva from his belly, as God Shiva couldn’t go against his own boon. But Gajasura was adamant and said no to all.

Goddess Parvathi was missing Her husband and she too couldn’t do anything to get her Bholenath(innocent God) back. Then she approaches Her brother Shri Vishnu and requests Him to get Mahadev back to Kailash. Then Shri Vishnu disguised as a bull play master, takes Nandi(the bull)along with Him and goes to Gajasura. Nandi, the bull performs all tricks and Gajasura very happy says to the man, “hey you have entertained me a lot today, what boon do you wish for ask me, I would give you anything. Then the bull owner(disguised Shri Vishnu) says, “please release God Shiva who is residing in your belly, as the Worlds are suffering in His absence and please take back your word and free Shiva”.

Then Gajasura, realises that the man is Shri Vishnu Himself who has to come to take away Shiva from him and so his death is for sure. Then Gajasura prays to God Shiva, “hey Shiva, I know when you would come out of my belly, I would die instantly. But I have one wish my swamy, please take my head along with you to Kailash and I would be close to you ever and promise me that you would wear my skin as clothing and thus you would be referred as Gajacharmambara, who wears Elephhant hide as His clothes”. God shiva agrees to this wish and so Nandi with his horns cuts upon the Gajasura Elephant’s stomach and thus God Shiva comes out of the Asura’s belly.

When Goddess Parvathi comes to know about Her Husband’s arrival to Kailash, she very excitedly awaiting for Shiva, thinks of grooming Herself with jewellery and clothes. She first proceeds to take shower, so in the excitement of seeing Her hubby after a long time, playfully she removes the turmeric grime which she applied to her body and blushing within herself makes a small baby doll with that. After the doll is completed, it looked like a small young boy and was very beautiful and so with her powers she breathes life into the doll and thus lord Ganesha is born(Few Puranas say that Goddess Parvathi learnt the Ganesha mantra from Her dad Himavan and so Ganesha was born from the turmeric doll). She before continuing her shower, tells Lord Ganesha to guard the door and shouldn’t allow anyone inside, until her shower is done.

When God Shiva reaches Kailash, He is stopped by Ganesh at the door and doesn’t allow Him to step into the private chamber of Goddess Parvathi. God Shiva fumes with anger and beheads Ganesh. When Goddes Parvathi sees that Her son Ganesh is no more, she cries and requests Mahadev to give Her son back.

Then God Shiva keeps Gajasur’s head to Ganesh’a body and thus Ganesha becomes alive again. And Shiva wore the Elephant’s Hide(Gajasur’s skin) as His clothing and so from that day onwards, Gajasur’s dream of staying close to Mahadev became a reality.

Hara Hara Mahadeva Shambho Shankara

Om Vigneshwaraya Namaha

Who is called Purshottam in the Vedas?

 In Gita Bhagavan Krishna says

यस्मात्क्षरमतीतोऽहमक्षरादपि चोत्तम: |
अतोऽस्मि लोके वेदे च प्रथित: पुरुषोत्तम: || (Bhagavad Gita 15.18)

I am transcendental to the perishable world of matter, and even to the imperishable soul; hence I am celebrated, both in the Vedas and the Smṛitis, as Purushottama.

Now we have reference that call him as the Supreme Purusha(Purushottama/Parama Purusha)

ॐ यो ह वै श्रीरामचन्द्रः स भगवान् यः परमपुरुषो
भूर्भुवः सुवस्तस्मै वै नमो नमः ॥ (Rama Tapini Upanishad 2.4.41)

Salutations unto Sri Ramachandra who is the Supreme Purusha.

ॐ योऽसावुत्तमपुरुषो गोपाल ॐ तत्सद्भूर्भुवः सुवस्तमै वै नमोनमः ॥ (Gopala Tapini Upanishad 2.3.14)

Lord Gopāla is the Supreme Person. Obeisances to Him.

Hence, Hari is the Purushottama of vedas.

What was the origin of Vedas? How did it spread?

 Vedas are considered the "inhalations and exhalations" of Paramashiva.

Lord Shiva created Lord Brahma and then taught him the Vedas at the beginning of a kalpa (aeon), so that the process of creation can begin. This act establishes Lord Shiva as the Veda Karta (Creator of Vedas) and their ultimate origin.
To be more precise, Lord Shiva created all eighteen Vidyas (disciplines of knowledge), which include the four Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva).

There are several evidences:

~Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad (6.18)

यो ब्रह्माणं विदधाति पूर्वं
यो वै वेदान्श्च प्रहिणोति तस्मै ।
तं ह देवमात्मबुद्धिप्रकाशं
मुमुक्षुर्वै शरणमहं प्रपद्ये ॥

Meaning:
He who created Brahmā in the beginning,
He who delivered the Vedas unto him —
That Deva (God), Śiva, who illuminates the intellect of the soul,
To Him I, seeking liberation, take refuge.

~Mahābhārata, Śānti Parva (349.65)

शिवादेव समुत्पन्ना वेदाः साङ्गा सनातनाः

Meaning:
From Śiva alone arose the eternal Vedas along with their auxiliaries.

~Liṅga Purāṇa (1.55.24)

शिववक्त्रविनिष्क्रान्ता वेदाः साङ्गाः सनातनाः

Meaning:
The eternal Vedas, along with their limbs, emerged from the mouth of Śiva.

~ Kūrma Purāṇa (1.12.129)

वेदान् सृजति देवेशः शिवो लोकमहेश्वरः

Meaning:
The Supreme Lord of the worlds, Śiva, created the Vedas.

Furthermore, It is believed that at the end of his cosmic dance (Tandava), Lord Shiva struck his drum (Damaru) 14 times. These 14 sounds formed the foundation of Sanskrit grammar and the sonic vibrations from which the Vedic hymns were realized.

Who is the top five archery warrior in Indian mythology according to Purana and Vedas?

 Top five archers in Hindu mythology:

1.) Bhagwan Shiva, Shri Rama, Kartikeya, Devi Adi Shakti

(i) Bhagwan Sri Ram

He was the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the strongest warrior of Treta yug. He possessed every divine missile be it weapons of Trinity, Trishul and Sudharsana chakra also. He had killed powerful demons like Tarakasura, Maricha, Subhahu, Viradha and Kabandha in Dandaka forest along with Lakshman. Killed Khara, Dhoosana along with 14000 rakshasas in Janasthana. Penetrated the seven sala trees with a single arrow. He easily cut down the divine spear of Makaraksh with normal arrows by which Makaraksh had defeated devtas, Gandharva snad yakshas. Defeated Ravana thrice before killing him in the first attempt. Brutually killed Kumbhkarana and Makaraksh. Defeated Meghnad and made him run away from the fight. He could easily destroy Ravana, Kumbhkarana and the entire rakshasa clan single handedly. He did not do so in order to follow his restrictions as a human and only provided vanara army a chance to provide him service.

(ii) Bhagwan Shiv :

He is supreme among those who wield the bow. He is the originator of Dhanurveda and is unparalleled in his knowledge about all aspects of this warfare. He wields the Pinaka bow and is also known as ‘ Pinakahastaya’ ie. the wielder of Pinaka. During Tripurasura Vadh he had invoked Pashupatastra and destroyed the entire city of Tripura.

(iii) Devi Adi Shakti :

She had shown her archery skills in her battle against Mahisasura.

Mahisasura had defeated all the Devas headed by Devraj Indra and had conquered the Swarga Loka. Then all the Devas had gone to Brahma Deva to find a solution. Then from the combined energies of Brahma Deva, Bhagwan Vishnu and Bhagwan Shiv , Devraj Indra and all the other Devas together Ma Ambika was manifested. Then all the Devas gave their best weapons to Ma Ambika. Mahisasura had the ability to change himself to any form he desired. He had turned into a lion to fight Ma Ambika. He then converted himself into a man, held a sword and disappeared. Afterwards the goddess pierced him with her arrows, he with his sword and shield turned into a mighty elephant. The elephant pulled Goddess Ambika's lion with his trunk. Afterwards Mahishasura assumed the form of a buffalo. Ma Ambika finally struck him with her Shula(Trident) and then beheaded him with her sword.

(iv) Kartikeya ji :

He can be called as the Hindu God of War. He had the vel of Goddess Durga. He is the commander-in-chief of the army of Gods. He had easily killed Tarkasura. Even Bhagwan Sri Krishna has honoured him in Bhagwad Gita. He has taken part in number of legendary wars and has played an important role in the victory of Gods over demons.

2.) Lakshmanji/ Bhagwan Parshuram(in his prime) :

He was the incarnation of Sheshnag who is responsible for balancing the entire weight of the universe. Overpowered Ravana twice in archery once even with the Brahma armour and killed Indrajit( better archer than Ravana). Knew Bala and Atibala mantra and gained all celestial weapons from Vishwamitra. Defeated and killed Atikaya who had crushed Devraj Indra and countered his Vajra by normal arrows. He was stated to be superior to Kartavirya Arjuna in archery, Tormented Kumbhkarana with his arrows who was even unscathed by Vajra of Indra.

Bhagwan Parshurama was the partial incarnation of Vishnu and was trained by Mahadev. He recieved all celestial weapons from Mahadev including weapons of Trinity Pashupatastra, Vaishnavastra and Narayanastra and a divine parashu. He had wiped the kshatriyas clean of earth 21 times. Defeated and killed Kartavirya Arjuna after a fierce battle. Broke the tusk of Ganeshji with his divine parashu. He had killed an army of over hundred akshaunis standing on ground without a chariot. He had single-handedly killed all the friends and relatives of Kartiviraya Arjuna and had finally defeated and killed him with his infallible axe.

3.) Arjuna :

Defeated Devas along with Krishna in Khandava dahana. Shafted Bhishma, Drona and Karna in Virat war and multiple times in Kurukshetra war. Satisfied Mahadeva in battle and obtained Pashupatastra from him. Defeated and killed thirty million Nivatkavachas alone and killed Kalkeiya Poulama demons using Roudrastra. Killed 7 akshauhini armies on 14th day. He was the only warrior in Mahabharata who suffered minimal defeats throughout his life. He was the incarnation of Sage Nara who was partial incarnation of Lord Vishnu. His accomplishments have made him worthy of being called as strongest human warrior of Dvapur yug. He was declared as third best archer after Rama and Mahdeva in Vyasa Dhanurveda because of which he was added in this list.

After keeping Lord Visnu in mind, the name of Arjuna should be intoned by the warrior. Thereafter, he should establish his position along with his four types of troops (namely the elephant-riders, the cavalry, the charioteers and the infantry).
1998,1909

The warriors in whose heart Lord Janardana, whose colour is blue like the blue lotus, resides, become successful and victorious everywhere and they never fear defeat.
1910

These are the names of Arjuna, which the warrior should intone:. Arjuna, Phalguni, Partha, Kiriti, Vivatsu, Vijayi, Krsna, Savyasaci and Dhananjaya.

1911

4.) Devraj Indra:

He is highly underrated warrior in Tv serials. It is true he lost various battles but it was because of the invincibility boons asuras recieved at the hands of Tridev. Any asura cannot defeat Lord Indra without invincibility boons from Gods. Indra had overpowered Ravana and captured him but later was defeated by Meghnad who throuh the use of maya defeated him. Had Meghnad fought like a warrior Indra would have defeated him. He had killed powerful demons like Vritra and Shambrasura. Defeated asuras like Narakasura and Prahlada. Scorched the throat of Mhaadev with his Vajra after which Shiva was called blue throated because of Indra,’ s Vajra hurting him. He is worthy of being regarded as the strongest god after Shiva and Vishnu excluding divine beings like lord ganesh, lord karthikeya, mata parvati, lord brahma, mata lakshmi, mata saraswati, lord hanuman.

5.) Kartavirya Arjuna:

He remained an undefeatable warrior before facing Parshurama. He had recieved boon of all time invincibility to all except Vishnu. Kartavirya Arjuna had defeated Indra and the thirty three gods riding on a single charot. He had defeated Indra and humiliated him in front of hid wife Sachi devi. He had conquered the whole earth by virture of his boon and had ruled the earth for 10000 years. Kartavirya Arjuna,’ s greatest achievement was defeating and capturing Ravana in battle who caused terror among all beings including Devas in the universe. He held Ravana as prisoner and later freed him on request of Sage Pulastya. During the battle between Parshurama and Kartavirya Arjuna Kartavirya Arjuna had given a tough fight to Parshurama and made the warrior sage unconscious by the infalliable trident he obtained from Datta.