Brahma, the third member of the Hidu Triad, was apparently the least popular of the three. He probably received no independent worship, but was venerated in association with iva and Vishnu in many shrines of ancient Indonesia. His images however, appear in practically every period of Indonesian art. In spite of iva's supremacy, Brahma probably retained his position as the Creator of the World which qualities are reflected in his four faces and in his constant attributes. These are the rosary, manuscript, waterpot and three-stalked ascetic's walking stick (for these see Pal 1977: cat. 124; Scheurleer and Klokke 1988: cat. 37).
The style confirms to the tradition of the Central Javanese period. The details of the garment and the form of the lotus-throne reflect the mode of the early 10th century, as represented by the sculptures at Candi Lara Jonggrang.


See illustration