Chapter 8 - The Description of Creation

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Nandikeśvara said:

1. I think a great burden (i.e. responsibility) has been placed on me, O Mārkaṇḍeya, by you who have asked for (a description) of the greatness of Aruṇācala in detail.

2. It is quite appropriate, O highly intelligent one, that your mind is overcome by curiosity. One who does not know the (glorious) story of the Lord of Śoṇādri is a brute.

3. How can the greatness of celebrated prosperity of Śaṃbhu who is devotedly attached to Śoṇācala be described completely even by those who know it?

4. Even if it is heard, how can it be completely comprehended and retained in memory even by the most exceedingly intelligent ones on being overwhelmed by the emotion of wonder!

5. Now remember the wonderful account of the activity of the enemy of the god of Love. My mind is really dancing with the experience of the nectar supreme.

6. My intellect is unable to describe completely the wonderful conduct of Śiva which is fascinating to the utmost.

7. Still in accordance with my intellect, I shall describe it, a very small part of it. Let the meritorious greatness of the Lord of Śoṇādri be listened to, O sage.

8. Formerly, at the beginning of the Kalpa of the Primordial Lord, Maheśvara, the supreme being without any false notion and above doubt, conceived the entire universe by means of his own will and produced it.

9. Desiring a perpetual arrangement for the creation and protection of that universe generated (by him), the primordial Lord created Brahmā and Viṣṇu.

10. The Three-eyed Lord created Parameṣṭhin (i.e. Brahmā) from his right side. The Lord created Viṣṇu from his left side.

11-12. He endowed Brahmā with Rajoguṇa and Viṣṇu with Sattvaguṇa. Employed by the Lord of the Devas, both of them,

i.e. Viriñci (Brahmā) and Acyuta are capable of carrying out the functions of creation and protection of all the worlds. Brahmā created ten sons mentally, the Brāhmaṇas beginning with Marīci.

13-14. He created Dakṣa from his right thumb. Brahmā engaged them in the work of creation. The Lotus-seated Lord himself created Brāhmaṇas from his mouth, Kṣatriyas from his arms, Vaiśyas from his thighs and Śūdras from his feet.^[1] Asuras and the Suras were born of Kaśyapa, the son of Marīci.

15-18. Maruts, serpents, vultures, Gandharvas, celestial damsels and Manu also were born. The progeny of Manu exists as Mānavas (‘human beings’). They were grouped into different classes. They perform different jobs and duties- Two types of race were born of Atri, viz. that of sages and that of Kṣatriyas. Yakṣas and Rākṣasas were born of Pulastya and Pulaha.

Utathya, Gīṣpati and others were born of sage Aṅgiras. Agni as well as the sages beginning with Cyavana were born of Bhṛgu. Great sages were born of Vasiṣṭha and others. This entire universe is filled with his sons and grandsons.

19. Thus Brahmā filled this universe with his progeny. Due to lapse of time and also due to his prosperity and glory he forgot Maheśvara.

20. Acyuta married the daughter of Bhṛgu (i.e. Lakṣmī) who was having her abode in the Lotus. He incarnated on the earth in the form of fish etc. He did not remember Īśvara.

21. When the functions of creation and sustenance became their independent activities, Brahmā and Viṣṇu became exceedingly arrogant. Which man does not become proud on account of his authority and influence?

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Cf. RV X.90.12; AV 196.6.