9 - Manifestation of the Lotus-Born Deity-Brahma

The birth of god Brahma from the lotus grown out of the embilical region of god Vishnu is common to many Puranas e.g., Bh. P.III. 8.1-23, LP.I.20, Va. P.I.24.

Suta said: 

1. On hearing these words, Narada and other great sages bowed to Vishnu, the bestower of boons, and submitted to him (because they were overwhelmed with doubts. 

The sages submitted: 

2. O Janardana, the creation of Mukhya etc. has been described by you. Now, it behoves you to dispel our doubts. 

3. How did the Lord Shambhu, the wielder of the Pinaka bow, though born earlier than Brahma attain the son-hood of Brahma, born of the unmanifest? 

4. How was Lord Brahma, the grand-father of the worlds, the controller of the universe, born from Cosmic Egg? It behoves you to explain to us these. 

Lord Kurma replied: 

5. Osages, listen all of you, how Shankara of unmeasured prowess attained the state of being the son of Brahma, and how god Brahma had the lotus as the source of his origin. 

6. At the close of the previous Kalpa, the three worlds, Bhu, Bhuvar and Svar sank into complete darkness.² There was one great terrible vast sheet of water. There were neither Devas and others nor the sages.

2. This sort of Pralaya involving the dissolution of only three worlds (bhu, bhuvar and svar) takes place at the end of a Kalpa or Brahma's day. It is called the Naimittika Pralaya.

7. There, in that isolated place free from disturbance and trouble, Lord Narayana, the Supreme Person, resorted to the Couch of Shesha and slumbered. 

8-9. He assumed the form of one with thousand heads, thousand eyes, thousand feet, and thousand arms. He was omniscient and was contemplated upon by enlightened persons. He had yellow garments and large eyes. He resembled the blue cloud in complexion. He was the great Yogic Soul of Super human power and dignity. He was compassionate to Yogins. 

10. Once, when he was asleep, a divine and wonderful lotus that was the quintessence of the three worlds, shone in his umbilical region, for the sake of his diversion. 

11. It extended to a hundred Yojanas (1 Yojana=12 Kilometres). It resembled the morning sun. It had divine fragrance. It was meritorious and endowed with Karnika (pericarp) and Kesaras (filaments). 

12. While Sharngin (god Vishnu) was staying like this for a long time, Lord Hiranyagarbha (Brahma) came to that place. 

13. That Vishvatman (the Soul of the universe) roused up the eternal deity with his hand. Deluded by his Maya he spoke these sweet words. 

14. O excellent person, tell me who are staying alone in this terrible vast sheet of water, isolated and enveloped in darkness. 

15. On hearing his words the Garuda-bannered Lord laughed and replied to lord Brahma in a voice as majestic as the sound of a cloud. 

16. O, know me as the Supreme Person, Lord Narayana, the source of origin of and the seat of dissolution of the worlds and Mahayogishvara (great lord of the Yogins). 

17. O grandfather of the worlds, within me you see the entire universe including the mountains and the great continents surrounded by seven oceans. 

18. After addressing that person (Brahma) thus, Hari, the soul of the universe, asked Brahma-"who are you?", though he knew it. 

19. Then lord Brahma, the storehouse of Vedas laughed and replied with a smile to the deity whose eyes resembled the lotus, in words gentle and charming. 

20. I am the creator and dispenser of destiny. I am the self-born deity. I am the great grandfather. The universe is stationed in me alone. I am Brahma, with faces all round. 

21. On hearing those words, Vishnu of truthful exploits and genuine power, took his permission and entered the body of Brahma, by means of Yogic power. 

22. He became surprised on seeing this entire set of the three worlds, including Devas, Asuras and human beings in the abdomen of that god (Brahma). 

23. Thereafter Vishnu, the deity with the Lord of serpents, Sesha as his abode, came out of his mouth and spoke to Pitamaha (god Brahma, the grand-sire of the world). 

24. O excellent Purusha, in this manner you too enter my eternal abdomen and see all these wonderful worlds. 

25. After hearing the pleasing words of the Lord of Lakshmi (i.e., Vishnu) and approving of them, Kushadhvaja (i.e., Brahma) entered his belly once again. 

26. Brahma, of truthful exploit, saw the self-same worlds stationed in the womb of the Lord. Ranging about, he did not see any limit of Hari. 

27. Then all the other openings were closed by the noble-souled Janardana and Brahma found an opening in the umbilical region. 

28. The deity born of Golden Egg entered it through his Yogic power. The four-faced Lord manifested himself out of the lotus. 

29. The self-born God Brahma who is lustrous like the interior of the lotus, the grand-sire and the source of the origin of the Universe, shone resplendent while seated in the lotus. 

30. Considering himself the lord of the universe and the highest seat-the goal to be reached-he spoke to Vishnu, the excellent Purusha, with words as majestic as the rumbling sound of the cloud. 

31. "What is this that has been done by you, desirous of your own victory? I am the only powerful one and no one else. Who will dare attack me?" 

32. On hearing the words uttered by Brahma, Hari who was reposing on the cosmic waters as his abode and who was ever wakeful, spoke the following sweet words in a conciliatory tone. 

33. You are the creator and the dispenser of destiny. You are the self-born great grand-father. It was not out of malice that the openings were closed by me.

34. It was only for fun. It was not with a desire to harass you. Who would wish to trouble the grandfather, the Lord of Devas? 

35. O Brahma, you are not harassed. * In every respect you are worthy of being honoured. O auspicious one, please forgive me the offence committed against you i.e., if I have offended you). [v.l. whatever has been done by me to you is in the interest of your progeny.]

*v.l. It may not please be misunderstood by you.

36. O Brahma, for this very same reason be a son unto me. O deity in the form of the universe, be famous by the name Padmayoni (having lotus as the source of origin) for the sake of my love. 

37. Then that Lord conferred the boon to the crowned one (i.e., Vishnu). Deriving unparalleled delight, he spoke to Vishnu again. 

38. You are identical with everything. You are infinite. You are the greatest Ishvara of all. You are the immanent soul of all living beings. You are the greatest and eternal Brahman. 

39. I too am the great Ishvara, the bright light of the Alman of all the worlds. All the worlds are pervaded by me. I am the Brahman, the transcendental Purusha. 

40. There is no superior ruler of the worlds other than we two. We, Narayana and Brahma (the grand-sire of the universe) are but one single body divided into two. 

41. On being addressed thus by him, Vasudeva spoke to Brahma, "This enunciation may lead to your destruction. 

42. Don't you see by means of Yogic power, the unchanging Lord and master of Brahma, the Lord of Purusha and Prakruti and whom I know as the Supreme Lord (Parameshvara). 

43. Seek refuge with that Brahman, devoid of beginning and end, the great ruler of the Universe whom neither prominent Yogins nor Sankhyas (philosophers or the followers of the school of Kapila) perceive." 

44-45. Then, the infuriated Brahma spoke to Keshava (Vishnu) of lotus eyes, "O Lord, certainly I know myself as that Supreme imperishable Brahman, the sole Atman of all the worlds, the highest region. There exists no other Supreme Ruler of the worlds other than we both. 

46. Cast off your long slumber and observe your own self". 

Even after hearing those wrathful words, the Lord said (only this much). 

47-48. "O auspicious one, do not talk like this. Do not denigrate the great Ishvara of noble soul. There is nothing unknown to me, O Brahma, nor do I say otherwise (which is not true). But O Brahma, it is the Maya of the Supreme Ruler who is infinite and the cause of all particularities, born of Atman, that deludes all.” 

49. After saying this much Lord Vishnu remained silent. After knowing that great principle, his own Atman. (v.l. Maheshvara), the Lord of Devas i.e., Vishnu did not think of saying anything. 

50. God Hara of immeasurable soul, the Supreme Ruler of all beings manifested himself from somewhere to confer grace on god Brahma. 

51. The Lord had an eye in his forehead. He was embellished with clusters of matted hair. He wielded the trident in his hand. He was the reservoir of great splendour. 

52. He was wearing a garland of wonderful shape suspended upto the foot. It was wreathed with planets including the sun, the moon and the stars with utmost skilful scholarship. *

*The foot note (Venk, Edt.) records a better reading: 

divyam vishalaṁ grathitam-a heavenly big garland wreathed with planets, the sun, and the moon etc.

53. On seeing Lord Shiva, god Brahma, the grand-sire of the worlds was completely deluded by his Maya. He addressed Vishnu, the yellow-robed deity. 

54. "O Janardana, who is this three-eyed person of blue complexion, with the trident in his hand coming this side? He is a mass of splendour and of an immeasurable spirit (Soul)." 

55. After hearing his words, Vishnu, the suppressor of Danavas, saw Lord Ishvara (Shiva) shining brilliantly in the trans lucent water.

56. Realising that he was the Supreme Reality, the Conceiver of Brahma, Vishnu stood up and said to god Brahma, the grand-sire of the world and the Lord of Devas. 

57. "This is Lord Mahadeva, the eternal self-luminous deity, having neither the beginning nor the end, the inconceivable great Ruler of all the worlds. 

58. He is Shankara (the benefactor), Shambhu (Bestower of welfare) Ishana (the Ruler), Parameshvara, (the highest Controller), the soul of all, the Lord of human beings, the great meditator and the Supreme Isha, the pure and Shiva, the auspicious. 

59. He is the creator and dispenser of destiny. He is the chief immutable Lord. (v.l. the Lord of Prakruti and Purusha). Only those ascetics who meditate upon him as Brahman, can perceive him. 

60-61. By becoming Kala (Time), this absolute, unsullied great god Shiva creates the entire Universe, protects it and destroys it. This eternal one created you Brahma and gave the Vedas unto you. It is that Shankara who comes here. 

62. O great-grand-sire of the universe, understand me to be only another form of his—the form that is eternal, the source of origin of the universe and is designated as Vasudeva. 

63. Can you not see that Lord of Yoga the immutable Lord, Brahman? May your eyes be divine, whereby you will be able to see that great Being." 

64. After securing thus the divine vision from Vishnu, Brahma, the grandfather of the world, realised that the highest knowledge incarnate is present in front of him. 

65. Deriving the Supreme knowledge about Shiva, the great-grand-father sought refuge in Lord Shiva himself (his father). 

66. Recollecting Onkara and concentrating his mind in his own soul, he, with folded palms in reverence, eulogised the Lord by means of the Atharvashiras Mantras.¹

1. Atharva-Shiras is an Upanishad. It begins with 

Deva ha vai svargam lokamayamste Rudram aprucchan ko bhavaniti |

It is printed in the Upanishat-Sangraha, pp. 170-174 (Motilal Banarsidass Delhi, 1970.) 

67. On being eulogised by Brahma, Lord Shiva, the Supreme Ruler felt great affection and pleasure. Smilingly he addressed to him. 

68. O dear child, there is no doubt that you are equal to me, as you are my devotee as well. It was by me alone that you, the Eternal One, were created formerly, for bringing worlds into being. You are the unchanging one.

69. You are the Atman, the Primordial Purusha born of my body. O soul of the universe, seek your boon. I am the bestower of boons unto you, O sinless one.

70. After hearing the words of the Lord of Devas, the lotus-born deity glanced at the Purusha, Vishnu, bowed to Shankara and said: 

71. O holy Lord, Lord of the past and future, O Mahadeva. O consort of Ambika, I wish, that you or someone equal to you, be born as my son. 

72. O Mahadeva, I have been deluded by you, through your subtle Maya. O Shiva, I do not know your real nature precisely. 

73. O Lord, you alone are the mother, father, brother and friend of your devotees. Be pleased. I have sought refuge in you. I bow unto your lotus-like feet.. 

74. On hearing his words, the bull-bannered Lord of the universe spoke to his son, after glancing at Janardana: 

75. “O son, I will do whatever has been requested for by your Lordship. Sinless, divine, perfect knowledge pertaining to Ishvara shall dawn unto you. 

76. O Lord of Devas, grand-sire of the worlds, you alone have been appointed as the primordial maker of all living beings. Create your Maya for them. 

77. This Narayana is born of me. He is the Supreme form of mine alone. O Ishana (Brahma), Hari will be the bestower of security and prosperity unto you. 

78. After saying this, Lord Shiva, the Supreme god who was pleased with Brahma, gently touched him with both the hands and spoke these words to Hari: 

79. O pervader of the world, I am thoroughly pleased with you as you are my devotee. Choose your boon though really there is no one other than the two of us. (v.l. though both of us are non-different)." 

80. On hearing the word of Lord Shiva, Vishnu the permeater of the universe spoke with delighted voice, looking him in his face. 

81. “This alone is the most praiseworthy boon that I shall be able to see you, the Supreme Ruler and the great Atman. May I be blessed with constant devotion unto you." 

82. Saying "so be it", Mahadeva spoke to Vishnu again: "You are the doer of all actions, while I am the presiding deity. 

83. There is no doubt that everything is identical with you as well as with me. You are the moon, while I am the sun. You are the night and I am the day. 

84. You are the unmanifest Prakruti while I am the Purusha. You are the knowledge and I am the knower. You are the Maya, while I am the Ishvara. 

85. You are the power born of knowledge, while I am the master of that power. I who am that unsullied Lord so you are the same such Lord Narayana. 

86. Yogins, expounders of Brahman, see through unity. O Atman of the universe, without resorting to you the Yogin will not attain me. Do you protect the entire universe including Devas, Asuras and human beings.”? 

87. After saying this, the Lord who has no beginning, who deludes the different living beings by means of his own Maya and whose power is unlimited went to his one and only abode which is unmanifest and which is devoid of birth, growth and destruction."