Varāha Mahā Purana
72 - Determination of Prakruti and Purusha
Actually the Chapter deals with the identity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
Varäha said:
1. Agastya asked the omniscient Rudra; “Who is the most ancient one and the creator of everything?”
Agastya said:
2. Yourself, Brahma and Vishnu constitute a trio and the three Vedas. Like the flame of the lamp (you illumine every-thing) and permeate all šhästras.
3. O god, tell me at which time are you Rudra, at which time Brahma and at which time Vishnu.
Rudra said:
4. Vishnu is the Supreme Brahman and in Vedas and šhästras he is spoken of as having three forms. But this is not known to the ignorant.
5. From the root meaning ‘to enter’ with the Nominative singular suffix we get the word ‘Vishnu’. He is the eternal and the supreme among all gods.
6. This who is spoken of as having a tenfold form as well as of a single form is the Äditya with all yogic powers.
7. The great god for the sake of Devas assumes human form in every yuga and praises me.
8. For the sake of the world as well as gods, I worship these two forms of the lord (divine as well as human) in the Shvetadvïpa (white island) in Krutayuga.
9. At the time of creation, I extol the four faced (Brahmä) and become time. And in that Krutayuga, Brahma, Devas and Asuras extol me always.
10. People who seek pleasures sacrifice to me in my form as liñga (phallus), and those who seek liberation sacrifice to me mentally in my form as the thousand-headed. It is to this form that the universal god Närayana himself offers sacrifice.
11.Those who perform Brahmayajña daily propitiate Brahma, because the Veda is Brahmä.
12. The Supreme Brahman is enshrined in the names Näräyana, Shiva, Vishnu, Šhañkara and Purushottama.
13. For those who perform Vedic rituals, we Brahmä, Vishnu and Mahešhvara are the spirits of the mantras. There need be no doubt in this matter.
14. I am Vishnu as well Brahma with the eternal Vedas. The three (gods) are really one and the wise men should not consider them as different.
15. He who considers Otherwise is a sinner and he goes to the terrible hell.
16. I am Brahma and Vishnu and the Vedas Ruk, Yajus and Säman. The difference is only in this manner.
Summary of chapter 72 of the Varāha Mahā Purana is as follows:
Having bound Himself to grant three steps of land, King Bali pours water from his vessel to sanctify the charity, despite Sage Śukrāchārya's attempt to block the spout. Instantly, Vāmana Prabhu expands into the colossal cosmic form of Trivikrama, encompassing the entire earth with His first step and the heavenly spheres with His second step. Finding no space left for the third step, King Bali bows down in supreme surrender and requests Trivikrama Prabhu to place His third step upon his own head, whereupon Vāmana Prabhu places His lotus foot upon Bali, binding him gently with Varuṇa's cords to purify him of all remaining pride.