The most fundamental of Hindu deities, is the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - popular deities include Ganesha, Krishna, Hanuman and goddesses like Lakshmi, Durga,Saraswati.
Ushas, Brahma's first feminine creation was beautiful. All the prajapatis gazed at her, even Brahma's heart fluttered with excitement. With Ushas also arose a dark youth Kamadeva the god of desire who carried a quiver of arrows -the arrows of love.
Kamadeva'a darts of love wounded Brahma who intensely desired Ushas. He tried to grab her but she fled taking the form of a cow, Brahma chased her in the shape of a bull. She then turned into a mare and ran faster, Brahma turned into a stallion. Ushas became a goose flying in the air, a fish swimming in the sea, a mosquito, an ant, a lioness ... and each time Brahma turned into the corresponding male. Thus all animals of the world came to be, from the smallest insect to the largest mammal. Finally in the shape of a doe, Ushas rose up into the heavens. Taking the form of a buck, Brahma continued to follow her.
The prajapatis who witnessed all this were alarmed as this uncontrolled desire of Brahma would wreck the whole cosmic order. But there was no one to stop him.
Then suddenly from Brahma's own brow arose a being- Rudra, the howler. Of a terrifying form and disposition he raised his bow and let loose his fiery missile that struck Brahma and pinned him onto the sky. Ushas was saved!
This being Rudra was Shiva the same as the ardhanarnari who had inspired Brahma to create Ushas
