The sages said: How did Brahmā become the lotus-born (deity), formerly, in the Padmakalpa? How did Viṣṇu and Brahmā see lord Śiva? Please recount all this particularly now.

The sages said: How did Brahmā become the lotus-born (deity), formerly, in the Padmakalpa? How did Viṣṇu and Brahmā see lord Śiva? Please recount all this particularly now.

The sages said: How did Brahmā become the lotus-born (deity), formerly, in the Padmakalpa? How did Viṣṇu and Brahmā see lord Śiva? Please recount all this particularly now.

The sages said: How did Brahmā become the lotus-born (deity), formerly, in the Padmakalpa? How did Viṣṇu and Brahmā see lord Śiva? Please recount all this particularly now.

The sages said: How did Brahmā become the lotus-born (deity), formerly, in the Padmakalpa? How did Viṣṇu and Brahmā see lord Śiva? Please recount all this particularly now.

The sages said: How did Brahmā become the lotus-born (deity), formerly, in the Padmakalpa? How did Viṣṇu and Brahmā see lord Śiva? Please recount all this particularly now.

Sūta said: A tall and lofty lotus was sportively created in his umbilicus as he lay there all-powerful self-contented but unwearied in activities. It was hundred Yojanas long. It resembled the mid-day sun. It had adamantine stalk.

Sūta said: A tall and lofty lotus was sportively created in his umbilicus as he lay there all-powerful self-contented but unwearied in activities. It was hundred Yojanas long. It resembled the mid-day sun. It had adamantine stalk.

Sūta said: Even as the bountiful lord was playing (with the lotus), Brahmā, who was born of the cosmic Egg of golden womb, who had golden colour, who was beyond the pale of the sense-organs, who had four faces and large eyes came near the lord casually. On seeing Viṣṇu of splendid eyes sporting with the lotus that was glorious, divine, splendid and fragrant, Brahmā was surprised and asked in a tone filled with gentleness—

Sūta said: Even as the bountiful lord was playing (with the lotus), Brahmā, who was born of the cosmic Egg of golden womb, who had golden colour, who was beyond the pale of the sense-organs, who had four faces and large eyes came near the lord casually. On seeing Viṣṇu of splendid eyes sporting with the lotus that was glorious, divine, splendid and fragrant, Brahmā was surprised and asked in a tone filled with gentleness—

Sūta said: Even as the bountiful lord was playing (with the lotus), Brahmā, who was born of the cosmic Egg of golden womb, who had golden colour, who was beyond the pale of the sense-organs, who had four faces and large eyes came near the lord casually. On seeing Viṣṇu of splendid eyes sporting with the lotus that was glorious, divine, splendid and fragrant, Brahmā was surprised and asked in a tone filled with gentleness—

Sūta said: On hearing the splendid words of Brahmā, Viṣṇu got up from his couch and with his eyes beaming with surprise replied:—

Sūta said: On hearing the splendid words of Brahmā, Viṣṇu got up from his couch and with his eyes beaming with surprise replied:—

Sūta said: On hearing the splendid words of Brahmā, Viṣṇu got up from his couch and with his eyes beaming with surprise replied:—

Sūta said: On hearing the splendid words of Brahmā, Viṣṇu got up from his couch and with his eyes beaming with surprise replied:—

Sūta said: On hearing the splendid words of Brahmā, Viṣṇu got up from his couch and with his eyes beaming with surprise replied:—

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Brahmā said: After saying thus, Viṣṇu spoke to Brahmā again—“In the same manner as you, I also am a lord. O illustrious one, please enter my belly and see the wonderful worlds therein.” On. hearing these pleasant words of Viṣṇu, Brahmā of truthful exploits approved of them and entered his belly. Then he saw those very worlds stationed in his womb.

Brahmā said: After saying thus, Viṣṇu spoke to Brahmā again—“In the same manner as you, I also am a lord. O illustrious one, please enter my belly and see the wonderful worlds therein.” On. hearing these pleasant words of Viṣṇu, Brahmā of truthful exploits approved of them and entered his belly. Then he saw those very worlds stationed in his womb.

Brahmā said: After saying thus, Viṣṇu spoke to Brahmā again—“In the same manner as you, I also am a lord. O illustrious one, please enter my belly and see the wonderful worlds therein.” On. hearing these pleasant words of Viṣṇu, Brahmā of truthful exploits approved of them and entered his belly. Then he saw those very worlds stationed in his womb.

Brahmā said: He roamed about therein, but he could not find the end. Then on observing the movement of Brahmā, lord Viṣṇu closed the openings of the passage and slept a perfect sleep.

Brahmā said: He roamed about therein, but he could not find the end. Then on observing the movement of Brahmā, lord Viṣṇu closed the openings of the passage and slept a perfect sleep.

Brahmā said: Then the four-faced Brahmā came out of the stalk of the lotus and assumed his own form.

Brahmā said: The Seif-born Brahmā, the source of the origin of the universe sat in the lotus, resembling in lustre the interior of the lotus itself.

Brahmā said: In the meantime, even as cither of them was wholly engaged in a struggle with the other in the middle of the ocean, lord Śiva of immeasurable soul, the lord of living beings appeared there itself. Holding a trident in hand and clad in garments of pure gold he came to the place where Viṣṇu was lying on Śeṣa—the lord of serpents. As he waded through the waters quickly, big drops of water rose up in the sky, kicked up by his feet. The wind that blew was very hot and cold. On perceiving this wonderful phenomenon, Brahmā spoke to Viṣṇu “See how hot and cold waters make the lotus shake.

Brahmā said: In the meantime, even as cither of them was wholly engaged in a struggle with the other in the middle of the ocean, lord Śiva of immeasurable soul, the lord of living beings appeared there itself. Holding a trident in hand and clad in garments of pure gold he came to the place where Viṣṇu was lying on Śeṣa—the lord of serpents. As he waded through the waters quickly, big drops of water rose up in the sky, kicked up by his feet. The wind that blew was very hot and cold. On perceiving this wonderful phenomenon, Brahmā spoke to Viṣṇu “See how hot and cold waters make the lotus shake.

Brahmā said: In the meantime, even as cither of them was wholly engaged in a struggle with the other in the middle of the ocean, lord Śiva of immeasurable soul, the lord of living beings appeared there itself. Holding a trident in hand and clad in garments of pure gold he came to the place where Viṣṇu was lying on Śeṣa—the lord of serpents. As he waded through the waters quickly, big drops of water rose up in the sky, kicked up by his feet. The wind that blew was very hot and cold. On perceiving this wonderful phenomenon, Brahmā spoke to Viṣṇu “See how hot and cold waters make the lotus shake.

Brahmā said: In the meantime, even as cither of them was wholly engaged in a struggle with the other in the middle of the ocean, lord Śiva of immeasurable soul, the lord of living beings appeared there itself. Holding a trident in hand and clad in garments of pure gold he came to the place where Viṣṇu was lying on Śeṣa—the lord of serpents. As he waded through the waters quickly, big drops of water rose up in the sky, kicked up by his feet. The wind that blew was very hot and cold. On perceiving this wonderful phenomenon, Brahmā spoke to Viṣṇu “See how hot and cold waters make the lotus shake.

Brahmā said: In the meantime, even as cither of them was wholly engaged in a struggle with the other in the middle of the ocean, lord Śiva of immeasurable soul, the lord of living beings appeared there itself. Holding a trident in hand and clad in garments of pure gold he came to the place where Viṣṇu was lying on Śeṣa—the lord of serpents. As he waded through the waters quickly, big drops of water rose up in the sky, kicked up by his feet. The wind that blew was very hot and cold. On perceiving this wonderful phenomenon, Brahmā spoke to Viṣṇu “See how hot and cold waters make the lotus shake.

Brahmā said: Clear this doubt of mine and tell me what else you wish to do now.”

Brahmā said: Clear this doubt of mine and tell me what else you wish to do now.”

Brahmā said: Clear this doubt of mine and tell me what else you wish to do now.”

Brahmā said: “O Sir, are you in a perplexed state inside the lotus? O lord, what is it that I have done wherefore O excellent one among men, you speak to me thus: What is it for? Tell me factually.” Lord Brahmā, the storehouse of the Vedas, replied to the lotus-eyed lord of Devas who spoke thus in accordance with the activities of the world:—“It was I who formerly entered your belly in accordance with your wish. Just as all the worlds within my belly were seen by you O lord, so also all the worlds in your belly are seen by me. O sinless one after a thousand years I returned. With a spirit of rivalry and a desire to subject me to control, all the openings were closed suddenly by you. O blessed one, I pondered over it. By dint of my own splendour I gained exit through the umbilicus by the lotus stalk. Let there be no dejection, in your mind: O Viṣṇu, this is the sequence of events in their gradual advancement. What should be done by me hereafter, kindly tell me: What shall I do?”

Brahmā said: “O Sir, are you in a perplexed state inside the lotus? O lord, what is it that I have done wherefore O excellent one among men, you speak to me thus: What is it for? Tell me factually.” Lord Brahmā, the storehouse of the Vedas, replied to the lotus-eyed lord of Devas who spoke thus in accordance with the activities of the world:—“It was I who formerly entered your belly in accordance with your wish. Just as all the worlds within my belly were seen by you O lord, so also all the worlds in your belly are seen by me. O sinless one after a thousand years I returned. With a spirit of rivalry and a desire to subject me to control, all the openings were closed suddenly by you. O blessed one, I pondered over it. By dint of my own splendour I gained exit through the umbilicus by the lotus stalk. Let there be no dejection, in your mind: O Viṣṇu, this is the sequence of events in their gradual advancement. What should be done by me hereafter, kindly tell me: What shall I do?”

Brahmā said: “O Sir, are you in a perplexed state inside the lotus? O lord, what is it that I have done wherefore O excellent one among men, you speak to me thus: What is it for? Tell me factually.” Lord Brahmā, the storehouse of the Vedas, replied to the lotus-eyed lord of Devas who spoke thus in accordance with the activities of the world:—“It was I who formerly entered your belly in accordance with your wish. Just as all the worlds within my belly were seen by you O lord, so also all the worlds in your belly are seen by me. O sinless one after a thousand years I returned. With a spirit of rivalry and a desire to subject me to control, all the openings were closed suddenly by you. O blessed one, I pondered over it. By dint of my own splendour I gained exit through the umbilicus by the lotus stalk. Let there be no dejection, in your mind: O Viṣṇu, this is the sequence of events in their gradual advancement. What should be done by me hereafter, kindly tell me: What shall I do?”

Brahmā said: “O Sir, are you in a perplexed state inside the lotus? O lord, what is it that I have done wherefore O excellent one among men, you speak to me thus: What is it for? Tell me factually.” Lord Brahmā, the storehouse of the Vedas, replied to the lotus-eyed lord of Devas who spoke thus in accordance with the activities of the world:—“It was I who formerly entered your belly in accordance with your wish. Just as all the worlds within my belly were seen by you O lord, so also all the worlds in your belly are seen by me. O sinless one after a thousand years I returned. With a spirit of rivalry and a desire to subject me to control, all the openings were closed suddenly by you. O blessed one, I pondered over it. By dint of my own splendour I gained exit through the umbilicus by the lotus stalk. Let there be no dejection, in your mind: O Viṣṇu, this is the sequence of events in their gradual advancement. What should be done by me hereafter, kindly tell me: What shall I do?”

Brahmā said: “O Sir, are you in a perplexed state inside the lotus? O lord, what is it that I have done wherefore O excellent one among men, you speak to me thus: What is it for? Tell me factually.” Lord Brahmā, the storehouse of the Vedas, replied to the lotus-eyed lord of Devas who spoke thus in accordance with the activities of the world:—“It was I who formerly entered your belly in accordance with your wish. Just as all the worlds within my belly were seen by you O lord, so also all the worlds in your belly are seen by me. O sinless one after a thousand years I returned. With a spirit of rivalry and a desire to subject me to control, all the openings were closed suddenly by you. O blessed one, I pondered over it. By dint of my own splendour I gained exit through the umbilicus by the lotus stalk. Let there be no dejection, in your mind: O Viṣṇu, this is the sequence of events in their gradual advancement. What should be done by me hereafter, kindly tell me: What shall I do?”

Brahmā said: “O Sir, are you in a perplexed state inside the lotus? O lord, what is it that I have done wherefore O excellent one among men, you speak to me thus: What is it for? Tell me factually.” Lord Brahmā, the storehouse of the Vedas, replied to the lotus-eyed lord of Devas who spoke thus in accordance with the activities of the world:—“It was I who formerly entered your belly in accordance with your wish. Just as all the worlds within my belly were seen by you O lord, so also all the worlds in your belly are seen by me. O sinless one after a thousand years I returned. With a spirit of rivalry and a desire to subject me to control, all the openings were closed suddenly by you. O blessed one, I pondered over it. By dint of my own splendour I gained exit through the umbilicus by the lotus stalk. Let there be no dejection, in your mind: O Viṣṇu, this is the sequence of events in their gradual advancement. What should be done by me hereafter, kindly tell me: What shall I do?”

Brahmā said: “O Sir, are you in a perplexed state inside the lotus? O lord, what is it that I have done wherefore O excellent one among men, you speak to me thus: What is it for? Tell me factually.” Lord Brahmā, the storehouse of the Vedas, replied to the lotus-eyed lord of Devas who spoke thus in accordance with the activities of the world:—“It was I who formerly entered your belly in accordance with your wish. Just as all the worlds within my belly were seen by you O lord, so also all the worlds in your belly are seen by me. O sinless one after a thousand years I returned. With a spirit of rivalry and a desire to subject me to control, all the openings were closed suddenly by you. O blessed one, I pondered over it. By dint of my own splendour I gained exit through the umbilicus by the lotus stalk. Let there be no dejection, in your mind: O Viṣṇu, this is the sequence of events in their gradual advancement. What should be done by me hereafter, kindly tell me: What shall I do?”

Brahmā said: “O Sir, are you in a perplexed state inside the lotus? O lord, what is it that I have done wherefore O excellent one among men, you speak to me thus: What is it for? Tell me factually.” Lord Brahmā, the storehouse of the Vedas, replied to the lotus-eyed lord of Devas who spoke thus in accordance with the activities of the world:—“It was I who formerly entered your belly in accordance with your wish. Just as all the worlds within my belly were seen by you O lord, so also all the worlds in your belly are seen by me. O sinless one after a thousand years I returned. With a spirit of rivalry and a desire to subject me to control, all the openings were closed suddenly by you. O blessed one, I pondered over it. By dint of my own splendour I gained exit through the umbilicus by the lotus stalk. Let there be no dejection, in your mind: O Viṣṇu, this is the sequence of events in their gradual advancement. What should be done by me hereafter, kindly tell me: What shall I do?”

Brahmā said: On hearing these loving, pleasing auspicious and irreproachable words of Brahmā, Viṣṇu the destroyer of Hirṣayakaśipu and of immeasurable soul, spoke sincere and simple words. This type of adverse action, was not envisaged by me. I closed all the openings sportively and casually out of a desire for enlightening you.

Brahmā said: On hearing these loving, pleasing auspicious and irreproachable words of Brahmā, Viṣṇu the destroyer of Hirṣayakaśipu and of immeasurable soul, spoke sincere and simple words. This type of adverse action, was not envisaged by me. I closed all the openings sportively and casually out of a desire for enlightening you.

Brahmā said: On hearing these loving, pleasing auspicious and irreproachable words of Brahmā, Viṣṇu the destroyer of Hirṣayakaśipu and of immeasurable soul, spoke sincere and simple words. This type of adverse action, was not envisaged by me. I closed all the openings sportively and casually out of a desire for enlightening you.

Brahmā said: You should not mis-understand me. You deserve my respect and worship. O auspicious one, forgive if at all I have committed any offence against you.

Brahmā said: You are borne by me, O lord, descend from this lotus. I cannot bear you. You are refulgent and weighty. Thereupon Brahmā said once again: ‘Tell me, what boon you desire to have. O lord, take me down from the lotus’. Then Viṣṇu said: ‘O slayer of enemies, you should be my son. You will attain, splendid pleasure. Speak agreeable and loving words. O lord, descend from the lotus. You are a great yogin. You are worthy of our worship. You are the Praṇava itself. Henceforth you will be the lord of all; adorned with a white turban you will be known as ‘padmayoni’[4] —one whose source of origin is a lotus. O Brahmā, O lord, as son to me, you will be the overlord of seven worlds’.

Brahmā said: You are borne by me, O lord, descend from this lotus. I cannot bear you. You are refulgent and weighty. Thereupon Brahmā said once again: ‘Tell me, what boon you desire to have. O lord, take me down from the lotus’. Then Viṣṇu said: ‘O slayer of enemies, you should be my son. You will attain, splendid pleasure. Speak agreeable and loving words. O lord, descend from the lotus. You are a great yogin. You are worthy of our worship. You are the Praṇava itself. Henceforth you will be the lord of all; adorned with a white turban you will be known as ‘padmayoni’[4] —one whose source of origin is a lotus. O Brahmā, O lord, as son to me, you will be the overlord of seven worlds’.

Brahmā said: You are borne by me, O lord, descend from this lotus. I cannot bear you. You are refulgent and weighty. Thereupon Brahmā said once again: ‘Tell me, what boon you desire to have. O lord, take me down from the lotus’. Then Viṣṇu said: ‘O slayer of enemies, you should be my son. You will attain, splendid pleasure. Speak agreeable and loving words. O lord, descend from the lotus. You are a great yogin. You are worthy of our worship. You are the Praṇava itself. Henceforth you will be the lord of all; adorned with a white turban you will be known as ‘padmayoni’[4] —one whose source of origin is a lotus. O Brahmā, O lord, as son to me, you will be the overlord of seven worlds’.

Brahmā said: You are borne by me, O lord, descend from this lotus. I cannot bear you. You are refulgent and weighty. Thereupon Brahmā said once again: ‘Tell me, what boon you desire to have. O lord, take me down from the lotus’. Then Viṣṇu said: ‘O slayer of enemies, you should be my son. You will attain, splendid pleasure. Speak agreeable and loving words. O lord, descend from the lotus. You are a great yogin. You are worthy of our worship. You are the Praṇava itself. Henceforth you will be the lord of all; adorned with a white turban you will be known as ‘padmayoni’[4] —one whose source of origin is a lotus. O Brahmā, O lord, as son to me, you will be the overlord of seven worlds’.

Brahmā said: You are borne by me, O lord, descend from this lotus. I cannot bear you. You are refulgent and weighty. Thereupon Brahmā said once again: ‘Tell me, what boon you desire to have. O lord, take me down from the lotus’. Then Viṣṇu said: ‘O slayer of enemies, you should be my son. You will attain, splendid pleasure. Speak agreeable and loving words. O lord, descend from the lotus. You are a great yogin. You are worthy of our worship. You are the Praṇava itself. Henceforth you will be the lord of all; adorned with a white turban you will be known as ‘padmayoni’[4] —one whose source of origin is a lotus. O Brahmā, O lord, as son to me, you will be the overlord of seven worlds’.

Brahmā said: You are borne by me, O lord, descend from this lotus. I cannot bear you. You are refulgent and weighty. Thereupon Brahmā said once again: ‘Tell me, what boon you desire to have. O lord, take me down from the lotus’. Then Viṣṇu said: ‘O slayer of enemies, you should be my son. You will attain, splendid pleasure. Speak agreeable and loving words. O lord, descend from the lotus. You are a great yogin. You are worthy of our worship. You are the Praṇava itself. Henceforth you will be the lord of all; adorned with a white turban you will be known as ‘padmayoni’[4] —one whose source of origin is a lotus. O Brahmā, O lord, as son to me, you will be the overlord of seven worlds’.

Brahmā said: “O Viṣṇu, who is this incomprehensible person with a huge face and curved fangs? With hairs dishavelled, with ten arms stretched and holding a trident, with all-round eyes he seems to be the lord of the universe. He has a deformed body and a girdle of Muñja grass. With huge penis lifted up, he is roaring loudly and terribly. With a mass of splendour and lustre he has enveloped the quarters and the firmament. He comes this way itself.” On being addressed thus by Brahmā, lord Viṣṇu replied as follows:

Brahmā said: “O Viṣṇu, who is this incomprehensible person with a huge face and curved fangs? With hairs dishavelled, with ten arms stretched and holding a trident, with all-round eyes he seems to be the lord of the universe. He has a deformed body and a girdle of Muñja grass. With huge penis lifted up, he is roaring loudly and terribly. With a mass of splendour and lustre he has enveloped the quarters and the firmament. He comes this way itself.” On being addressed thus by Brahmā, lord Viṣṇu replied as follows:

Brahmā said: “O Viṣṇu, who is this incomprehensible person with a huge face and curved fangs? With hairs dishavelled, with ten arms stretched and holding a trident, with all-round eyes he seems to be the lord of the universe. He has a deformed body and a girdle of Muñja grass. With huge penis lifted up, he is roaring loudly and terribly. With a mass of splendour and lustre he has enveloped the quarters and the firmament. He comes this way itself.” On being addressed thus by Brahmā, lord Viṣṇu replied as follows:

Brahmā said: “O Viṣṇu, who is this incomprehensible person with a huge face and curved fangs? With hairs dishavelled, with ten arms stretched and holding a trident, with all-round eyes he seems to be the lord of the universe. He has a deformed body and a girdle of Muñja grass. With huge penis lifted up, he is roaring loudly and terribly. With a mass of splendour and lustre he has enveloped the quarters and the firmament. He comes this way itself.” On being addressed thus by Brahmā, lord Viṣṇu replied as follows:

Brahmā said: “He is wading through the ocean with great speed. When his feet press the surface of water, as he wades through the ocean with great speed, masses of water rise up even to the sky. O lotus-born one, you are being sprinkled from all sides with a heap of water. By the wind coming out of his nostrils, this great lotus emerged out of my navel is being shaken. It is lord Śiva who has no origin and who destroys the world that has come. Let us eulogise the bull-bannered lord with hymns of prayer.”

Brahmā said: “He is wading through the ocean with great speed. When his feet press the surface of water, as he wades through the ocean with great speed, masses of water rise up even to the sky. O lotus-born one, you are being sprinkled from all sides with a heap of water. By the wind coming out of his nostrils, this great lotus emerged out of my navel is being shaken. It is lord Śiva who has no origin and who destroys the world that has come. Let us eulogise the bull-bannered lord with hymns of prayer.”

Brahmā said: “He is wading through the ocean with great speed. When his feet press the surface of water, as he wades through the ocean with great speed, masses of water rise up even to the sky. O lotus-born one, you are being sprinkled from all sides with a heap of water. By the wind coming out of his nostrils, this great lotus emerged out of my navel is being shaken. It is lord Śiva who has no origin and who destroys the world that has come. Let us eulogise the bull-bannered lord with hymns of prayer.”

Brahmā said: “He is wading through the ocean with great speed. When his feet press the surface of water, as he wades through the ocean with great speed, masses of water rise up even to the sky. O lotus-born one, you are being sprinkled from all sides with a heap of water. By the wind coming out of his nostrils, this great lotus emerged out of my navel is being shaken. It is lord Śiva who has no origin and who destroys the world that has come. Let us eulogise the bull-bannered lord with hymns of prayer.”

Brahmā said: Then Brahmā who was infuriated spoke to Viṣṇu whose eyes resembled the lotus:—“Indeed you do not know yourself as the lord of all the worlds. You do not know me also as Brahmā, the eternal creator of the worlds. Who is this Śiva apart from us both?”

Brahmā said: Then Brahmā who was infuriated spoke to Viṣṇu whose eyes resembled the lotus:—“Indeed you do not know yourself as the lord of all the worlds. You do not know me also as Brahmā, the eternal creator of the worlds. Who is this Śiva apart from us both?”

Brahmā said: On hearing these words of Brahmā uttered in rage Viṣṇu spoke: “O auspicious one, bestower of welfare, do not speak ill of the great soul. Here is he who has the lustre of the splendid yoga, who is the invincible bestower of boons, who is the unchanging ancient Puruṣa, the cause of this universe. He is the sower of seeds and the refulgence of seeds, shining by himself. He, the lord, plays with toys as do the children. Pradhāna, the eternal womb, the unmanifest Prakṛti and the quality tamas—darkness—these are my names, since I perpetually give birth to creation. The person of your query is lord Siva who is the goal of the ascetics who, being afraid of the pangs of birth and death resort to him. He is the sower of the seed; you are the seed itself and I am the eternal womb.”[5] On being addressed thus, Brahmā, the soul of the universe asked again:

Brahmā said: On hearing these words of Brahmā uttered in rage Viṣṇu spoke: “O auspicious one, bestower of welfare, do not speak ill of the great soul. Here is he who has the lustre of the splendid yoga, who is the invincible bestower of boons, who is the unchanging ancient Puruṣa, the cause of this universe. He is the sower of seeds and the refulgence of seeds, shining by himself. He, the lord, plays with toys as do the children. Pradhāna, the eternal womb, the unmanifest Prakṛti and the quality tamas—darkness—these are my names, since I perpetually give birth to creation. The person of your query is lord Siva who is the goal of the ascetics who, being afraid of the pangs of birth and death resort to him. He is the sower of the seed; you are the seed itself and I am the eternal womb.”[5] On being addressed thus, Brahmā, the soul of the universe asked again:

Brahmā said: On hearing these words of Brahmā uttered in rage Viṣṇu spoke: “O auspicious one, bestower of welfare, do not speak ill of the great soul. Here is he who has the lustre of the splendid yoga, who is the invincible bestower of boons, who is the unchanging ancient Puruṣa, the cause of this universe. He is the sower of seeds and the refulgence of seeds, shining by himself. He, the lord, plays with toys as do the children. Pradhāna, the eternal womb, the unmanifest Prakṛti and the quality tamas—darkness—these are my names, since I perpetually give birth to creation. The person of your query is lord Siva who is the goal of the ascetics who, being afraid of the pangs of birth and death resort to him. He is the sower of the seed; you are the seed itself and I am the eternal womb.”[5] On being addressed thus, Brahmā, the soul of the universe asked again:

Brahmā said: On hearing these words of Brahmā uttered in rage Viṣṇu spoke: “O auspicious one, bestower of welfare, do not speak ill of the great soul. Here is he who has the lustre of the splendid yoga, who is the invincible bestower of boons, who is the unchanging ancient Puruṣa, the cause of this universe. He is the sower of seeds and the refulgence of seeds, shining by himself. He, the lord, plays with toys as do the children. Pradhāna, the eternal womb, the unmanifest Prakṛti and the quality tamas—darkness—these are my names, since I perpetually give birth to creation. The person of your query is lord Siva who is the goal of the ascetics who, being afraid of the pangs of birth and death resort to him. He is the sower of the seed; you are the seed itself and I am the eternal womb.”[5] On being addressed thus, Brahmā, the soul of the universe asked again:

Brahmā said: On hearing these words of Brahmā uttered in rage Viṣṇu spoke: “O auspicious one, bestower of welfare, do not speak ill of the great soul. Here is he who has the lustre of the splendid yoga, who is the invincible bestower of boons, who is the unchanging ancient Puruṣa, the cause of this universe. He is the sower of seeds and the refulgence of seeds, shining by himself. He, the lord, plays with toys as do the children. Pradhāna, the eternal womb, the unmanifest Prakṛti and the quality tamas—darkness—these are my names, since I perpetually give birth to creation. The person of your query is lord Siva who is the goal of the ascetics who, being afraid of the pangs of birth and death resort to him. He is the sower of the seed; you are the seed itself and I am the eternal womb.”[5] On being addressed thus, Brahmā, the soul of the universe asked again:

Brahmā said: “How is it that you arc the womb, I am the seed and he (lord Śiva) the sower. This is a puzzle which you alone can solve.”

Brahmā said: After thinking about the multiformed creation, Viṣṇu spoke in answer to this specific query of Brahmā, the creator of the worlds.

Brahmā said: After thinking about the multiformed creation, Viṣṇu spoke in answer to this specific query of Brahmā, the creator of the worlds.

Brahmā said: After thinking about the multiformed creation, Viṣṇu spoke in answer to this specific query of Brahmā, the creator of the worlds.

Brahmā said: After thinking about the multiformed creation, Viṣṇu spoke in answer to this specific query of Brahmā, the creator of the worlds.

Brahmā said: After thinking about the multiformed creation, Viṣṇu spoke in answer to this specific query of Brahmā, the creator of the worlds.

Brahmā said: For a thousand years the Egg lay in the waters. Thereafter it was split into two by the force of the wind.

Brahmā said: The upper lid of the Egg became the heaven and the lower lid became the earth. The foetus became the lofty golden mountain Meru.

Brahmā said: Then with the soul entering the womb, you, the lord, Hiraṇyagarbha the most excellent of the lords of Devas, and of four faces were born,

Brahmā said: On seeing that the world with stars, sun and moon, was void you meditated. Then the kumāras were born to you.

Brahmā said: Pleasing to look at, they became ascetics, the predecessors of yatis. Thus at the end of a thousand years they were born as your sons.

Brahmā said: They resembled the terrestrial fire in brilliance. They had eyes large as the petals of a lotus. Sanat and Ṛbhu remained celibate having sublimated sexuality; the other three were Sanaka, Sanātana and Sanandana who were born simultaneously and who could visualize things even beyond the scope of sense-organs. They possessed great intellect; they were the cause of the sustenance of the worlds. They were devoid of the three types of miseries and they desisted from worldly activities.

Brahmā said: They resembled the terrestrial fire in brilliance. They had eyes large as the petals of a lotus. Sanat and Ṛbhu remained celibate having sublimated sexuality; the other three were Sanaka, Sanātana and Sanandana who were born simultaneously and who could visualize things even beyond the scope of sense-organs. They possessed great intellect; they were the cause of the sustenance of the worlds. They were devoid of the three types of miseries and they desisted from worldly activities.

Brahmā said: They resembled the terrestrial fire in brilliance. They had eyes large as the petals of a lotus. Sanat and Ṛbhu remained celibate having sublimated sexuality; the other three were Sanaka, Sanātana and Sanandana who were born simultaneously and who could visualize things even beyond the scope of sense-organs. They possessed great intellect; they were the cause of the sustenance of the worlds. They were devoid of the three types of miseries and they desisted from worldly activities.

Brahmā said: Seeing that life and death in the world yield but little pleasure, that it is attended with great strain and pain, that births and deaths recur again and again, that there is little pleasure in heaven, that miseries abound in hell, knowing the Shastraic injunctions about the inevitability of the future as also that Ṛbhu and San at were under your control, the three—Sanaka, Sanatana and Sanāndana of great prowess eschewed the three guṇas and took to spiritual life.

Brahmā said: Seeing that life and death in the world yield but little pleasure, that it is attended with great strain and pain, that births and deaths recur again and again, that there is little pleasure in heaven, that miseries abound in hell, knowing the Shastraic injunctions about the inevitability of the future as also that Ṛbhu and San at were under your control, the three—Sanaka, Sanatana and Sanāndana of great prowess eschewed the three guṇas and took to spiritual life.

Brahmā said: Seeing that life and death in the world yield but little pleasure, that it is attended with great strain and pain, that births and deaths recur again and again, that there is little pleasure in heaven, that miseries abound in hell, knowing the Shastraic injunctions about the inevitability of the future as also that Ṛbhu and San at were under your control, the three—Sanaka, Sanatana and Sanāndana of great prowess eschewed the three guṇas and took to spiritual life.

Brahmā said: Thus in the functioning of the kalpa, when the three sons—Sanaka and others took to detachment you will become confused and deluded through the illusory power of lord Śiva. Then O sinless one, your consciousness will perish. In the present kalpa, the elements both gross and subtle will be affected by his māyā who, in fact, is the activizer of these elements. This great and glorious account of the most excellent of all Devas is as famous as the golden Meru—the mountainous abode of Devas.

Brahmā said: Thus in the functioning of the kalpa, when the three sons—Sanaka and others took to detachment you will become confused and deluded through the illusory power of lord Śiva. Then O sinless one, your consciousness will perish. In the present kalpa, the elements both gross and subtle will be affected by his māyā who, in fact, is the activizer of these elements. This great and glorious account of the most excellent of all Devas is as famous as the golden Meru—the mountainous abode of Devas.

Brahmā said: Thus in the functioning of the kalpa, when the three sons—Sanaka and others took to detachment you will become confused and deluded through the illusory power of lord Śiva. Then O sinless one, your consciousness will perish. In the present kalpa, the elements both gross and subtle will be affected by his māyā who, in fact, is the activizer of these elements. This great and glorious account of the most excellent of all Devas is as famous as the golden Meru—the mountainous abode of Devas.

Brahmā said: Thus in the functioning of the kalpa, when the three sons—Sanaka and others took to detachment you will become confused and deluded through the illusory power of lord Śiva. Then O sinless one, your consciousness will perish. In the present kalpa, the elements both gross and subtle will be affected by his māyā who, in fact, is the activizer of these elements. This great and glorious account of the most excellent of all Devas is as famous as the golden Meru—the mountainous abode of Devas.

Brahmā said: Knowing him as the great lord and knowing me as the lotus-eyed Viṣṇu, knowing also that the lord is the greatest of all living beings, the bestower of boons and the preceptor of the universe, you should bow to him, uttering the praṇava (oṃkāra) mantra and the Sāman verses. If he is infuriated he will burn us both by his very breath. After realizing the lord of great strength and yoga, I shall keep you in front and eulogize him who is of fiery and dazzling splendour.

Brahmā said: Knowing him as the great lord and knowing me as the lotus-eyed Viṣṇu, knowing also that the lord is the greatest of all living beings, the bestower of boons and the preceptor of the universe, you should bow to him, uttering the praṇava (oṃkāra) mantra and the Sāman verses. If he is infuriated he will burn us both by his very breath. After realizing the lord of great strength and yoga, I shall keep you in front and eulogize him who is of fiery and dazzling splendour.

Brahmā said: Knowing him as the great lord and knowing me as the lotus-eyed Viṣṇu, knowing also that the lord is the greatest of all living beings, the bestower of boons and the preceptor of the universe, you should bow to him, uttering the praṇava (oṃkāra) mantra and the Sāman verses. If he is infuriated he will burn us both by his very breath. After realizing the lord of great strength and yoga, I shall keep you in front and eulogize him who is of fiery and dazzling splendour.