also: ぼんでん
noun
Refers to the Hindu deity Brahma; also used in Buddhist contexts as a high-ranking heavenly being.
梵天はヒンドゥー教の創造神です。
Brahma is the creator god in Hinduism.
noun
large staff with plaited paper streamers
Used at Shinto festivals or as a sign; often seen at construction sites or ceremonies. The cross-reference to 御幣 (gohei) indicates a similar ritual object.
See also:
祭りで梵天を持って練り歩く。
They parade carrying the large staff with paper streamers at the festival.
noun
Technical term in longline and gillnet fishing; a float or buoy used to mark gear.
漁師は梵天を目印に網を引き上げる。
The fisherman uses the buoy as a marker to haul in the net.
noun
down puff (ear pick)
The small fluffy ball on the end of an ear pick (耳かき).
耳かきの梵天が取れてしまった。
The down puff on the ear pick came off.
御幣 is a ritual wand with paper streamers used in Shinto, similar in appearance to the festival staff sense of 梵天, but 梵天 is larger and used in processions or as a sign.
From Sanskrit Brahmā, via Chinese 梵天 (Fàntiān). The other senses are extended uses of the same kanji, likely by metaphorical association with the deity or the shape of the ritual object.