Brahman is also known as Hiranyagarbha, Prajapati (both used in the early Vedic Age), and many other names. Here, Hiranyagarbha and Prajapati are used interchangeably. Brahman is the world spirit that enfolds all of existence and the divine essence that is hidden in all beings, and of which all beings are a part. Everything that exists — the gods, men, animals, plants, even rocks — is simply a manifestation of the Brahman.
According to legend, in the beginning there were only the waters. From the waters was formed a golden egg (Hiranyagarbha). Prajapati was hatched from the egg, speaking the sounds “bhur,” “bhuvah,” and “svark,” thereby forming the earth, the air, and the sky. Prajapati/Brahman has every power that any Power or mortal in the Vedic+Pantheon possesses, for all things are a part of him. In his true form, Brahman has a face on each side of his head. There is also a vacant spot on the top of his head where a fifth face was burned off by the gaze of the god Siva.
Though he sees and hears all, Brahman is an aloof god and will involve himself in the affairs of men only when existence itself (i.e., Brahman himself) is threatened.
Source: Legends & Lore (2nd ed.)
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