GREETINGS

Swamiji:

Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara should not be understood as people but as principles of creation, sustenance and dissolution/re-cycling in the cosmic cycle(kalachakram). The world goes through a continuous process of expansion and contraction. The time takes for the expansion is about 4.32 billion years(1 day of brahma or one kalpam) and same time for dissolution. That is why it is said there is pralayam at the end of each Kalpam. Pralayam is not flood, but the process of returning to the source.
The infinite consciousness that forms the basis of existence is represented as Vishnu. It is inert, blissful awareness ( sandra- ananda- avabodham as per Narayaneeyam). When the consciousness binds to life force a mind with thoughts( Jeevathma) is manifested. That is why Brahma(jeevatma) is sitting in a lotus from the navel of Vishnu. The whole world of matter Is created from the mind and thoughts, hence Brahma is said to be the creator of the world of things. Maheswara represents the principle of knowledge that destroys death, removes bondages and gives Mukthi, thus allowing dissolution into the source of origin, and recreation. That is why he is also depicted as Dakshinamurti (guru/ trancendance). Hari Om.