Triloka
(three constituent domains in the cosmos):
Trim
rga
(Skt., ‘three ways’). The three major ways through which Hindus can approach
mok
a
(release). They are karma-m
rga (the way of action, especially of sacrificial ritual), jñ
na-m
rga (the way of knowledge, especially associated with
Upani
ads
and
Ved
nta
), and bhakti-m
rga (the way of devotion to God).
Trim
rti
(Skt., ‘of three forms’). The Hindu recognition of threefold interaction being necessary for creation and dissolution, hence especially the three interrelated manifestations of the divine:
Brahm
,
Vi
u
, and
iva
. As Brahm
diminished in importance, the ‘social’ necessity of being (cf.
TRINITY
) led to Vi
u or especially
iva being represented in threefold activity.