Creation

Every ancient mythology has given a special place to the creation of the universe. This can be attributed to mankind’s quest for its roots, for the answer to the question – “how did it all begin?” And it is no different in Hinduism.

There are numerous texts in Hindu mythology and the story of creation differs in detail from text to text. This one is found in the “Matsya Purana” or the scriptures revealed by Lord Vishnu during his first incarnation, that of The Fish. In the beginning there was nothing in the universe, only darkness and the “brahman” or divine essence. The brahman being without trait is not describable. When it was time for creation of the universe the brahman dispelled the darkness and divided itself into the three supreme gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma and brahman are different. Brahma is one of the three manifestations of brahman. Then water was created and out of the water came a huge serpent with many heads known as “Sheshnag”. This serpent became the resting-place for Vishnu. Since “nara” means water and “ayana” means resting place in Sanskrit Vishnu is also known as Narayana.

Next from the waters came a golden egg that shone with the brilliance of a thousand suns. Brahma, who is responsible for the creation, ensconced himself in the egg and stayed in it for a thousand years. Hence he is also known as “Hiranyagarbha” meaning “from golden womb”. During these thousand years he created the entire universe within the egg. Then the egg broke into two and Brahma emerged from within. The upper part of the eggshell was made the heaven and the lower part the earth. The entire features of the universe then began to emerge from the shell and take their ordained places. The sun was the first to emerge and took his place in the heaven. (Some texts state that the sun was born of Sage Kashyap and his wife Aditi with the rest of the demi-gods somewhat later). The land forms, rivers, oceans, mountains then followed.

Another and more popular version has Vishnu playing an initiating role. This may be because Vishnu had gained prominence amongst the three supreme gods. It goes as follows. In the beginning a vast dark ocean washed upon the shores of nothingness and licked the edges of night. Vishnu lay asleep on Sheshnag the serpent. At the time of creation the vibrant sound of Om filled the void with energy. The night had ended and Vishnu awoke. As the dawn began to break, from Vishnu's navel grew a magnificent lotus flower. In the middle of the blossom sat Brahma. Vishnu commanded Brahma to create the world. Brahma split the lotus flower into three. He stretched one part into the heavens. He made another part into the earth. With the third part of the flower he created the skies. He filled the earth with landforms and trees and plants and animals and birds and fish.

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