Creation, Cosmology & Genealogies

Also tell me, O sage, for each of these the food, name, and the sacred day of the month, on which each gives to the people the result of their worship. I wish to know all this secret. Mahatapas said:

When the omniscient soul in the form of Narayana played himself with the form attained by the yogic power, he willed in himself the desire to enjoy.

Then the great cosmos (Mahabhuta) was stirred, the wonderful basis of all existence (water) arose.

Pleased at this, he willed its transformation, and during this transformation, there arose the great fire.

This fire was burning with countless flames and with noise. The effulgent fire underwent transformation and then arose from it the terrific wind.

By the transformation of air, Ether (space) came into existence with sound as its distinctive quality.

The space, air, heat and water interacted among themselves.

The water was dried by the heat and wafted by the wind, and the sky was made distinct.

The whole mass thus solidified and hardened. Thus came into being this earth and later the trees and the rest in it.

By the harmonious combination of these four (water, fire, air and space) as well as by the preponderance of each, the earth attained five qualities established in it. Getting hard thus, it became the Brahmanda (the universe).

In it, God Narayana having four hands and a fourfold form wished to create different beings taking the form of the creator.

Thinking about it as he did, he could not properly conceive it. Then he became extremely angry.

From that anger arose fire with a thousand flames and jt came to burn the Creator himself. It was then told by him as follows.

15—19.1 69

Propitiated by daksinas (offerings of money) first, you carry the daksinas to the gods. So you be Daksinagni.

You take what is offered to the gods in sacrifices all over the three worlds. So, O fire, you are Havyavahana.

The body is said to be Grha (a home). Since you are its Lord, you be Garhapatya everywhere.

When propitiated by offerings you lead all men to final liberation. Therefore you be Vaisvanara.

Dravina (money) is power and it is wealth. Since, you give this, you are Dravinodah (giver of money).

Sins disappear always. The word nis stands for certainty. Therefore and also since you are everywhere, O Agni, you will get (the name) Tejas (splendour).2

Since you blaze when Idhma (the bundle of sacred sticks) is placed in you and air blows, you are yourself Idhma.

O my son, surely people who sacrifice will propitiate you with offerings in these names in great sacrifices."

"You bear (vaha) the offerings havya (for the gods) and kavya (for the manes)". Thus Fire became Havyavahana. But fire was itself hungry and asked Brahma (the creator): what it might do. Brahma replied. '"You will be gratified in three ways.1

Prajapdla said: O great sage, how did Agni, Asvins, Gaurl, Ganapati, Nagas, Skanda, Aditya, Candra, Matrs, Durga, Diks, Kubera,, Visnu, Dharma, Siva, Pitrs and Candra take birth? How did all these deities of the body attain concrete forms?

Mahatapas said: I have told you incidentally the greatness of Visnu's '• This refers to the three sacred fires—Garhapatya, Daksinatya and Ahavaniya. '• This verse is highly corrupt and does not yield any cogent sense. e m atter seems to be missing between the two lines. 70 Vat aha Purana manifestations. Now I shall tell you about the importance o: tithis (dates). Listen to me.

The great fire born from Brahma's anger asked Brahma " O lord, please give me a day in which I shall get the praise 02 the whole world5'. Brahma said:

O fire, the foremost among the gods, Yaksas and Gandharvas, you were born on Pratipad, the first day (in the fortnight).

On account of this that day will be honoured by all gods. Thus the day Pratipad is yours.

On that day the gods and manes will be gratified by the offerings given in Prajapatya form.

Four kinds of beings, men, beasts, demons and gods, together with Gandharvas, will be pleased if you are gratified.

Your devotee who on the Pratipad day, fully fasts or takes milk alone, gets the great result of beng worshipped in heaven for twentysix aeons.

And he will be the powerful, beautiful and wealthy in this life and after his death he will be respected in heaven as a king.

The fire went to the hermitage given by Brahma and kept quiet.

The man who hears this story of the birth of fire getting up early morning, no doubt, will be free from all sins.

Yama is the dikpala guarding the southern direction.

Prajapala said: The fire was thus born from the great Brahma. How did Prana and Apana in the form of twin gods Asvins take birth? Mahatapas said:

Marici was Brahma's son, the foremost among the fourteen forms assumed by him.

His son was the great sage by name Kasyapa. Being himself a creator, he became the father of gods. 4 He got as his sons twelve suns, (adityas) all endowed with the spirit of Lord Narayana.

These suns (adityas) are the twelve months while Visnu himself is the year. Martanda is the most lustrous among those twelve suns (adityas).

Tvasta gave him his gracious daughter named Sarnjua in marriage. He got two children by her, Yama and Yamuna.

But unable to bear his virility she became a steed fast as the mind and leaving tier shadow (Chaya) there, went to the Northern Kurus.

The Sun had union with Ghaya who was in form and complexion similar to her and got two chidren—Sani (Saturn) and Tapatl.

Chaya did not treat all these children equally and so Martanda became angry and told her: "O dear, don't show partiality among your children."

Yet, she did not change her attitude. Then Yama said to his father with great sorrow:

"O my father, she is not my mother. She always behaves towards us as an enemy. In a stepmotherly manner, she behaves cruelly towards us, but kindly towards her own children."

Hearing Yama's words, Ghaya lost her temper and cursed him: "You will shortly be the king of the dead".

Hearing this, Martanda consoled him saying: "You will be the judge in deciding merit and demerit. And you will have the position in heaven as a guardian deity".1

Then, agitated by Chaya's anger, he cursed Sani (Saturn). "O my son, you will be of cruel eye on account of your mother's fault".

Then, the Sun rose up and went to Northern Kurus to see Samjfia and saw her there in the form of a mare.

Then he too took the form of a steed and united himself with her.

In that daughter of Tvasta. in ihe form a marc, he, in the form of the horse, laid the glowing seed, but that came out split into two.

These in the uterus were Prana and Apana but attained embodied forms due to boon.

Since they were born from Tvasta's daughter who was in the form of a mare (Axva), these sons of the Sun by her are praised as the Asvins.

3-16 7 1

The Sun himself was the Creator, the daughter of Tvasta the power (Sakti) by name parapara. These two were in her body first formless and then they attained their form.

Then the gods Asvins approached tiie Sun and asked him: "What shall we do?" The Sun said:

" O my sons, worship the Creator Narayana with devotion and get from Him a boon".

Advised by the great Sun thus they, performed severe penance reciting the Brahmapara hymn.

After so many years, Brahma, the manifestation of Narayana, was pleased by their penance and he gave them a boon with extreme joy. Prajapala said:

O great sage, I wish to know the hymn recited by the Asvins on Brahma. Mahatapas said:

Hear from me, O sinless king, the hymn to Brahma recited by the Asvins and the fruit that they obtained by the recitation of that hymn.

" I bow to you, the being free from action, free from the world, one without any base or dependence, devoid of qualities and beyond vision, and one free from the feeling 'Г and 'mine'.

O Brahman, great Brahman, dear to Brahmins, O man, Supreme Man, excellent Man; O god, great god, excellent god; O immovable, one who preserves harmony.

O being, great being, lord of beings; O Yaksa, great Yaksa, lord of Yaksas; O Guhya, great Guhya and Lord of Guhyas: O soft, very soft, and lord of all that is soft.

O bird, lord of great birds, O demon, lord of great demons; O Rudra, lord of great Rudras; O Visnu, lord of great Visnu; O Supreme lord Narayana; I bow to you, O Prajapati (creator)."

Extolled by those twin gods, the Asvins, the Creator was pleased very much and said thus:

"Please woo a boon which is rare even to the gods and by which you can go everywhere in heaven." ASvins said:

" O great Creator, please give us our share among gods. Please give us the position of gods who drink Soma-juice and an eternal place in the generality of gods." Brahma said:

You will attain all these—beauty, lustre, uniqueness, the position of physicians for all beings, and a place among gods entitled to drink Soma-juice in the worlds. Mahatapas said:

ЛИ this was given by Brahma to Asvins on the second day. Therefore, the second (Dvitiya) is the best day among all days.

The man who wishes to attain beauty should eat flowers only on this day. And if he does this for a year in all purity, he will attain great beauty of form.

One who hears this account of the origin of Asvins daily, attains all those qualities of Asvins and will be freed from all sins and blessed with sons. 74 Varaha Parana

A mace with a skull at the head. creation, the Vedas with their Pada, Krama etc.,1 and the Vedangas and all branches of knowledge.

Pada, Krama, Ja(a, Ratha and Ghana are methods of rendering the Veda, each word being differently combined with the preceding and following words. 80 Varaha Purann

These are the seven sages Marici, Atri and others.

Prajapdla said: O wise sage, how was Gauri extolled on account of the boon, and how did she become part of the body of the great god (Rudra)? Mahatapas said:

Signifies God, Soul and matter.

Presumably identical with Aditi.

Formerly, the virtuous god Brahma, in order to create different beings, entered into deep thought, but could not gain the end.

He then became angry, and from the anger arose the valiant Rudra (lit. 'roarer'), so-called because he was crying loudly at birth.

This group of gods should be taken as different from the Rudra created by Brahma earlier. order to make them prosperous, he started a sacrifice to propitiate Brahma.

To him Brahma gave as wife the auspicious virgin his daughter, the goddess of speech, named Gauri.

The children of DaksayanI (lit. Daksa's daughter2) are the gods and (their king) Indra, eight Vasus, Rudras,3 Adityas and Maruts.

Daksa was pleased with his daughter's children and in

In that the functions of the priests were taken upon themselves by the sons of Brahma, namely Marlci and others, in a specific manner.

The person to be propitiated by the sacrifice was Brahma himself and the sacrifice was for the world. The persons to be honoured were the sons of Daksa's daughter, Rudras, Adityas, Angiras and others because they are the visible Pitrs, and once they are pleased, the whole world is pleased.

47-62 7 7 both the eyes of Bhaga.

At that time, suddenly arose Rudra, the anger-born son of Brahma, from the water into which he had formerly entered.

He came out of the water completely pure, full of knowledge and resplendant like a thousand suns.

He shone with his penance which enabled him to visualise the whole universe. Then took place the creation of five things, the celestrials and the four kinds of mortals.

The creation by Rudra occurred quickly. O great king, now listen to the account of that creation.

He then heard the recitations of the priests in Daksa's house and the words of praise in the hermitage.

At that the omniscient and resplendent god (Rudra) became extremely angry and said:

"Formerly I was created by Brahma to be fully potent to create beings and I was asked to start the process. Who has done that action now".

After creating such an army equipped with numerous weapons he produced a chariot of Veda and Vidya (knowledge).

Gayatrl was the bow, the syllable Om the bowstring, the seven notes of music the arrows for that great god.

With all this array and equipment the valiant god flew to Daksa's sacrifice.

As Rudra was descending from the sky, there was a loud noise at which the mantras of the priests were lost.

Seeing this portent the priests said in fear; "A great danger has befallen us; let the gods get ready for battle".

A big demon created by Brahma is coming here to partake of the special offering in this sacrifice".

Then the gods addressed their maternal grand-father Daksa: "O Sire, please tell us what you think we should do". Daksa said:

"Take up your weapons immediately and wage a war".

Told thus, A big battle was then fought by the gods with the army of Rudra, carrying various weapons.

The vampires, goblins and imps holding different weapons fought with the guardian deities.

The Bhutaganas came out of heaven and entering Yama's abode showered arrows, fierce swords and axes.

They attacked Devas with firebrands and bows and arrows in fury before Rudra.

Then in that fierce battle Rudra pierced with an arrow

Seeing Bhaga thus made eyeless, Pusa got angry and engaged Rudra in fight.

Seeing Pusa aiming an array of arrows, Rudra caught him and pulled out his teeth.

At the sight of these fallen teeth the army of gods took to their heels.

Seeing the army scattering away Visnu, the younger brother of Aditya, addressed it.

"Where do you run away giving up your valour, pride and position. Why don't you remember your calling, family and responsibility?

Since you get your life from Brahma, you prostrate before that great god."

Saying thus, Visnu wearing yellow garment and bearing conch, disc and mace, seated himself on Garuda.

Then occurred the thrilling battle between Visnu and Rudra.

Rudra hit Hari with the Pasupata weapon. Infuriated at this Hari hit Rudra with the Narayana weapon.

These two weapons fought each other in the sky intensively, each to gain victory over the other. The fight continued for a thousand divine years.

One was having a crown on his head, and the other tresses of matted hair. One blew the conch, the other sounded the drum.

One was holding a sword and the other a staff. One was glowing with the Kaustubha gem, the other was shining with ashes all over the body.

One was whirling the mace, the other the pole. One shone with gems round the neck and the other with a string of skulls.

One was wearing the yellow garment, the other a girdle of serpents. Thus were the two opposing weapons, one Visnu's and the other Siva's in essence.

Seeing them combating each other, Brahma appealed to them to calm down.

They did so and Brahma told Visnu and Rudra. 78 Varaha Ригйпа

"Both Visnu and Rudra will attain prominence in the world. This sacrifice which was smashed, also will be completed.

Daksa will attain fame in the world because of the progeny".

Telling thus to Visnu and Rudra, Brahma, the grandfather of the world, asked the people to give Rudra a share in the sacrifice.

(He said): "The portion to Rudra is declared to be the foremost in the Vedas. So you Devas, praise this great god Rudra the destroyer of the eye of Bhaga and the teeth of Pusa.

Quickly sing his praise with all his names, and he will be pleased to grant you boons.

Thus asked, Devas bowed to Sambhu and sang his praise in great reverence. The gods said:

You are resplendent like the shooting flame as well as like a crore of suns. We were foolish before seeing you, we arc enlightened now at your sight.

Bow to the three-eyed Sambhu, the remover of all distress, holder of the trident, with mouth fierce, lord of all gods, the essence of purity, immanent, omnipresent, O Rudra, be pleased.

O lord of the worlds pervading the universe, O fierce destroyer of the teeth of Pusa, with neck full of hanging serpents with expansive body and bluish neck, be pleased.

O great lord endowed with all virtues, the crusher of Bhaga's eye, be pleased to receive the main share of the sacrificial offering and save us all.

O lord that arose from Brahma, O lord of Uma, O destroyer of Tripura, O holder of the bowl, with ash smeared in body, save us from all fear.

We find in your person, O Lord of gods, the entire

" O Bhava, O Sarva, O Mahadeva, O Pinakin, O Rudra, O Нага, we all bow to you, protect us all".

Praised by the gods in this way, Mahesvara was much pleased, and he spoke thus to them all: Rudra said:

"Let Bhaga get back his eye and Pusa his teeth. Let the sacrifice of Daksa also attain completion.

At my sight, O Devas, you have all become animals to me and I take you all to me. I thus become your master.

Those who sacrifice for me will have the observance called 'Pasupati' ".

When Rudra spoke thus, Brahma told him affectionately with a smile: "Certainly you will be hailed as 'Pasupati' in the world, and the world will gain renown by your name.

The entire world will surely worship you.

The clever Brahma then spoke to Daksa: "As already decided, give Gaurl in marriage to Rudra".

Saying so he gave the highly auspicious Gaurl to Rudra in the presence of Daksa, thus showing him a great favour.

When Daksa's daughter was thus married, Brahma gave to Rudra an abode on mount Kailasa before all gods.

Rudra with his attendant Bhutas then went to Kailasa.

Devas in great joy returned to their places and Brahma with Daksa went to his abode.

He was extremely happy at getting this beautiful damsel, but when Brahma persuaded him repeatedly to create, he found himself incapable of it and entered into water (to perform penance) feeling that what could be done through penance alone could not be accomplished without it.

The beautiful Gauri, formerly married by the great Rudra was then given by Brahma as daughter to Daksa. She thus became DaksayanI.

When he thus remained within water, Brahma lodged the beautiful Gauri within his own body, and then, desirous of creation, produced seven beings1 from his mind and also Daksa, and progeny was thus increased.

Marlci became Brahman (priest), Atri *ne supervisor, Arigiras the Agnldhra (priest to kindle fire), Pulastya the Hota (to recite Rgvedic hymns), Pulaha the Udgata (to recite Saman hymns), Kratu the Prastota (to assist the Udgata), Pracetas the Pratiharta (also to assist the Udgata) and Vasistha the Subrahmanya (priest). The Sabha (assembly) was constituted of Sanaka and others.

So saying he roared aloud in high rage and from his ears issued forth huge flames and from them came out with weapons ghosts and goblins in crores.

The sacrificial offerings were meant for the Devas, Adityas, Vasus, Visvedevas, Purs, Gandharvas and Maruts, and they received fully all that was offered in the sacrificial fire.

"Bow to the uneven-eyed, bow to the three-eyed, bow to the hundred-eyed, bow to the bearer of trident, bow to the bearer of Khatvanga,1 bow to the holder of staff.

In it two deer were the drawing horses, the triple principle1 was the central pole, the three sandhyas (morning, noon and evening) the three shafts (wheels), dharma the axle, air the sound, day and night the two flags, merit and demerit the flagstaffs all the Vidyas together with Kalas the seat and Brahma the charioteer.

When Rudra came out after performing penance in the water for ten thousand years, he saw the earth full of fine vegetation and big forests and peopled by human beings and beasts.

I am also the prime master of all knowledge. Being thus the master of all you animals, I will attain the name Pasupati (lord of all beasts) in the world.

Kailasa.

Mahatapas said: While they were thus living there. Gauri got angry towards Rudra, thinking of the enmity between him and her father.

She thought of the place1 taken away by him and his smashing the sacrifice and decided to give up her body.

In the house of Himavan.

She thought: "Being born in his house,2 I shall attain the lord by penance. How can I go to my father Daksa who has nothing with him now?

Thinking thus, the beautiful wife of Rudra, went for penance in the great mountain Himalaya.

Then she allowed her body to gradually emaciate and finally burnt it by the fire from within, and then she became the daughter of Himavan by name Uma, also called Krsna.

Thus born with a beautiful and auspicious body in the house of Himavan, she again performed penance meditating on the three-eyed Rudra.

She remained in penance for a long time with the resolve: "This (Rudra) is my husband".

When she was thus performing severe penance in the great mountain Himavan, god Mahesvara felt propitiated and appeared in her hermitage in the form of a Brahmin.

The Brahmin was very old with crippled limbs and was faltering at every step. He came near her with difficulty and told her: "O gracious lady, I am extremely hungry, please give me some food".

Asked thus, Uma, the daughter of the mountain told him: "O Brahmin, I shall give you fruits to eat. Please take your bath and then eat well".

At this, the Brahmin got down for bath in the river Gaiiga which was flowing close by.

While bathing there, he created in it an illusory shark, big and fierce, and that caught him.

He then told Uma showing her the shark that had caught him.

" O girl, a great mishap has happened. Save me from this shark before I am mutilated by it".

Hearing this Parvati thought: " I touch Himavan as my father and Siva as my husband. In this state of mind, purified by penance, how can I touch this Brahmin?

If I don't hold him by the hand and drag him out of the water, no doubt the sin of being responsible for the death of a Brahmin will befall me.

Any other transgression of righteousness can be atoned for, but never being the cause of a Brahmin's death". So saying she hastened towards him.

Going there quickly she held the Brahmin by the hand and dragged him out of the water. He then assumed his real form.

The same lord Rudra to please whom Parvati was performing penance was now holding her hand.

Seeing him she was bashful, and remembering her act of giving up her body, did not speak.

Seeing Gaurl silent, Rudra said with <. smile: "Having held me by the hand, how can you give me up?

If you are going to make this vain for wedlock, then I ask you, the daughter of Brahma, to give me food (for which I came).

47—23.1-5 83 dhas danced, the trees showered flowers and celestial damsels danced in joy.

O lady, I am not joking; I have told you what I should". She then said with a smile:

" O great lord of the three worlds, all my endeavour has been to attain you. I worshipped you as my husband in my previous life.

Now too you are my husband, and none else can be so. But my master is now my lather, the lord of mountains. I shall go to him.

Duly getting his consent, you will marry me".

So saying, she went to her father Himavan and with palms joined in reverence she told him thus.

"Rudra, the smasher of Daksa's sacrifice, who was my husband in my former life, has now become, as a result of my penance, full of love for me.

He came to me in my hermitage in the guise of an old Brahmin and asked me food. 1 82 Varaha Purana

I asked him to have his bath (before the meal), and accordingly he descended into the Ganges for the purpose. He was then caught by a shark and he cried for help.

Being afraid of incurring the sin of killing a Brahmin (if I did not help him), I pulled him out by the hand, and then he showed me his real form.

He then told me that our hands have been mutually held together (and thus the marriage has been effected), and that I should not have any hesitation.

Beiug thus told by the great Sankara, 1 have now come to tell you.

Whatever is proper now, you may kindly do quickly".

Hearing these words, the king of mountains was much pleased, and he told his daughter:

l 'O daughter, I am indeed blessed in this world in thai Rudra has by himself chosen to become my son-in-law. I have become the father of a worthy daughter.

I have now been placed at the head of Devas by you. my daughter. Please wait for a while till I return''.

So saying, the king of the mountains went to Brahma, the grandfather of all Devas.

Bowing to him in reverence, he said that he proposed to give his daughter Urna in marriage to Rudra.

Brahma, the grandfather of Devas and progenitor of the world, gave his consent.

Then the king of mountains rushed back to his home. He then invited Tumburu, Narada, Haha, Huhu, Kinnaras, Asuras and Raksasas.

The mountains, rivers, hills, trees and plants all came in their personal forms to see Himavan's daughter and her marriage with Sahkara.

The earth became the altar for the marriage, the seven seas the ritual pots, the sun and the moon the lamps, and the rivers the carriers of water.

Making thus the materials for the marriage, the king of mountains sent mount Mandara to Rudra.

Galled by Mandara, Sarikara came quickly and he took the hand of Uma in marriage according to the rites.

In that ceremony Parvata and Narada sang, the Sid-

In that marriage wherein holy water was flowing, Brahma, in consideration of the world, told Uma, ''O daughter, you will be a model for other women in the world", and told Rudra "you will be a model for other men".

So saying to Uma and Rudra, Brahma went to his abode.

Thus said sage Mahatapas to Prajapala who asked him. (He continued).

"The origin of Gaurl as well as the account of tier marriage has been thus said to you."

All this happened on Trtiya tithi. Therefore on Trtly. i tithi day give up salt in your food.

A man or a woman who fasts on that day gets prosperity.

A man or woman in utter misery, if lie or she gives up salt and listens to this, attains all desires, acquires great wealth and gains health, brilliance and opulence.

Prajapala said: O good sage, I am eager to know how Ganapati was born. Be pleased to tell me. Mahatapas said:

Formerly, the hosts of Devas and all the sages and saints began to do things to gain the result.

It was seen that the actions of the righteous faced numerous impediments to success while the actions of the unrighteous were unimpeded.

Then the gods and manes seriously deliberated on the matter and thought of ways for creating obstacles in the actions of the bad.

It occurred to Devas then that they may very well consult 84 Varaha Parana the highly intelligent Rudra.

They, therefore, went to him in Kailasa and, bowing to him, said in great respect. The gods said:

"O great god with three eyes and trident in hand, it behoves you to create (a being) for obstructing the actions of the bad".

Thus requested by Dcvas, Rudra with great pleasure looked at Uma for a moment.

When he was looking at Uma in the presence of gods, he was worried why no form of his was seen in the sky.

"There is the body in earth, there is one in water; so also in fire and air.

Seeing the person of this gre.'t boy, Uma remained with eyes stuck on him.

Looking at the beautiful form of the boy and thinking of the fickleness of women's minds Rudra got angry and cursed him.

"O boy, you will attain an elephant's face, protruding belly and yajnopavlta of serpents".

He cursed him thus in great anger, and then rose up shaking his body.

With each shake of the body, water fell on the earth and from it arose numerous Vinayakas, elephant-faced and darkcoloured, holding various weapons.

When Devas were thus thinking, the earth became agitated by Vinayakas. Brahma then rose up in the sky in his vehicle and said:

" O gods, you are lucky. You have been blessed by the wonderful Paramesvara (Rudra). The actions of demons will be surely hampered".

After telling them thus, he turned to the holder of fire in the palm (Rudra): " O Lord, let him who was born out of your mouth (i. e., laughter), Ganapati, be the chief of these Vinayakas, and let the rest be his followers.

Occupying the sky as well, let him be in the other four elements with you. And let the sky with all its parts be for him.

You be the master to give him great weapons." When Brahma departed after saying thus, the three-eyed (Rudra) told his son:

In sacrifices and ceremonies to propitiate the gods, and in other deeds, you will bestow success if you are worshipped in the beginning, and hamper the whole tiling if not done so".

Then Rudra as well as Devas poured holy water on him in golden pitchers and declared him king of the Vinayakas.

The Devas then praised him in the presence of Rudra. Devas said:

"Bow to the elephant-faced, bow to the leader of ganas (group of Vinayakas), bow to Vinayaka (the chief), bow to the valiant.

Bow to the creator of obstacles, bow to the serpent-girdled, bow to him who rose from the mouth of Rudra, bow to the pot-bellied. O lord of all, we prostrate before you to remove all obstacles".

The great Ganesa thus praised by the gods, and anointed by Rudra, became the son of Uma.

All this occurred in the tithi Caturthl. Hence Caturthi is the most important of all tithis.

O king, on this day if one eats only sesamum and worships Ganesa, the lord will certainly be pleased.

He who recites this stotra and he who listens to it never encounter any obstacles. 86 Varaha Pur ana

The Lord (Rudra) then got annoyed and wondered when even one of them could do extraordinary things, how much more will the multitude do?

"May you have the names Vin. ayaka, Vighnakara, Ganesa and Bhavaputra, and may all these (other) Vinayakas with fierce eyes and prowess be your servants, and let them with their flowing ichor and massive body, bring about success in all undertakings.

How is it not there in sky?" So thinking he laughed. By the power of knowledge, by what was seen by Rudra in the sky, by what was said by Brahma formerly as the body of all beings, by the laughter of Rudra, by all these four in the four elements Earth and the rest, there arose a boy effulgent with glowing face, looking like Rudra himself and stupefying Devas with the charm of his dazzling brilliance.

Earth said: O Varaha, be pleased to tell me how the mighty serpents arose by contact with your body. Varaha said:

After hearing about the origin of Ganapati, king Prajapala asked the sage (Mahatapas) in a soft voice. Prajapala said:

O sage, be pleased to tell me how the crooked serpents were born and how they got the enmity of Garuda. Mahatapas said:

When Brahma was creating, he first conceived in his mind his son Kasyapa to beget Marlci.

Daksa's beautiful daughter Kadru became his wife. In her be begot many valiant sons.

The earth was filled by the progeny of these,

They were all crooked, heinous and violent, and with their fangs stung people and reduced them to ashes.

Their contact was reducing human population day byday severally.

Finding their kind thus becoming steadily reduced, men went to the great god Brahma, the refr. ge of all.

They flocked to him who was seated on the lotus, and told him.

"Protect us, O god, from these venomous serpents. Please realise that (otherwise) all men and beasts will be soon reduced to ashes.

What was created by you is being annihilated by the serpents. Please do what is fit to avert this danger". Brahma said:

Doubtless 1 shall give you protection. You may all go to your homes m confidence.

When they were all gone, Brahma called the serpents Vasuki and others, and cursed them in great anger. Brahma said:

Since you. are annihilating my progeny, the men, in another age, in the Svayambhuva manvantara, by a curse of the mother, you will face a serious decline.

Said thus by Brahma shivering with anger, they fell at his feet and implored: The serpents said:

O god, we were made crooked by nature by you. Our venom, cruelty, and the use of eye as weapon were all given by you. The intensity of all that was given may be reduced. Brahma said:

Granting that 1 have created you crooked, what right have you to eat away men every day? The serpents said:

O god, prescribe us a limit and allot us separate regions.

Hearing the words of the serpents, Brahma said: "'I shall make for you an agreement with men.

Listen with attention my verdict.

Patala, Vitala and Sutala are the regions allotted to you. You may all have your abode there.

I ordain that you shall enjoy all pleasures there and remain there till the seventh manvantara.

At the beginning of Vaivasvata manvantara you will become the relations of Devas as well as of Garuda the wise.

Then all your progeny will be consumed by fire but for your own selves there will be no danger.

The end of such serpents as are fierce and insolent will certainly occur, but not of others. You may eat and bite a person " h e is so destined, and also to retaliate when somebody injures you. 88 Varaha Pur an a

You should move away in fear from persons who recite the mantras, or take in the medicine or wear the garudamandala (yantra) (all these being precautions against snake bite). O Earth, otherwise you will bring about your own disaster".

Thus said by Brahma, the serpents went to the netherworld allotted to them.

And gaining in the end, Brahma's relenting mood, they remained in Patala with satisfaction.

ЛИ this happened on the PancamI tithi. So this tithi is auspicious and capable of removing all sins.

If one remains austere on that day, gives up all that is sour in food and bathes the (images of) Nagas in milk, they become friendly towards him.

Ananta, Vasuki, Kambala, Karkotaka, Padma, Mahapadma, Sarikha and Kulika were the chief among them.

Prajapala said: O great sage, how was Skanda born out of Aharhkara (Ego)? Please clear my doubt in this matter. Mahatapas a aid:

From Purusa, considered as the highest of all Tattvas. arose Avyakta which is of three kinds.

Between Purusa and Avyakta, there arose Mahal which is also known as Ahankara.

Purusa is called Visnu, and is also known by the name Siva. Avyakta is Uma or Sri (Laksi).

By the union of these two (Purusa and Avyakta) arose Ahankara, also known as Senapati and Guha. Listen O king, I shall narrate to you his origin.

The first is Narayana. Out of him arose Brahma, and then Svayambhuva, and others like Marici from the sun.

Thereafter came creation consisting of gods, demons. Gandharvas, men, birds, beasts and all other beings. 8 When the creation was thus progressing, the powers of gods and demons began to fight each other in order to gain victory.

Among the demons there were strong leaders of warlike Hiranyakasipu, Hiranyaksa, Vipracitti, Vicitra, Bhimaksa and Kraunca.

These mighty warriors were gaining victory over the gods in the battle every day.

Seeing the defeat of gods. Brhaspati said: " O gods, your army is without a proper leader.

It is not possible for a single Indra to manage the whole army. So quickly search for a commander."

Thus told, the gods went to Brahma and prayed to him to give them a commander.

Brahma then entered into serious thought to find out what he could do in this predicament of Devas, and his mind then fell upon Rudra.

Then led by Brahma, Devas, Gandharvas. Rsis, Siddhas and Caranas went to mount Kailasa.

Seeing there the great god Siva, the lord of all beings, Indra and the other gods praised him. The gods said:

O Mahesvara, the three-eyed god, lord of all beings, we supplicants bow to you. O lord of L'ma, lord of the worlds, lord of Maruts, protect us all.

O god everlasting and holding the trident in hand, and illumining the whole world with the rays of the moon on the locks of matted hair, protect us who have come to you out of the fear of demons.

You are the first of gods, the best of men, Hari, Bhava, Mahesa, the destroyer of Tripuras, all-pervading, the enemy of demons, the most ancient, the bull-bannered. O great god, protect us.

You are the husband of ParvatI, and the great lord worshipped by all gods. You are Gancsa and the lord of all beings. For averting danger to us, protect us from the fierce demons.

You are established in Tattvas like the Earth; parti90 Varaha Pur ana cularly you are of the nature of sound in the sky. You are hidden two-fold in fire, threefold in water, fourfold in earth and fivefold in qualities.

In the tree you are of the nature of fire, in stone you are of the nature of truth, in sesamum you are of the nature of oil. O Mahesvara. protect us who are oppressed by demons.

O three-eyed god, when there was no stem of the universe, and there was no sun, moon or Indra, then you alone remained beyond the purview of any reasoning.

O lord of gods, wearer of the garland of skulls, bearer of the crescent moon on the head, resorter to the cremation ground, smearer of ashes all over the body and encircled by serpents, you are capable of protecting us.

You are the Male and the beautiful daughter of the mountain is your Energy. You are fierce to the whole world with your trident, but the three sacrificial fires (Garhapatya, Ahavanlya and Daksina) remain in your three eyes.

In the form of your matted hair remain all oceans, all great mountains and all rivers. The whole universe is your body, though men without proper inner vision see only the physical aspect.

You are Xarayana, the source of the universe. Similarly, you are the great Brahma, li. y the difference in the Gunas and difference in the fires and by the difference in the yugas you remain threefold.

O lord, all these chieftains of the gods now seek your favour. O you Rudra, who shine with ashes, we bow to you again, be pleased to save us all. Mahatapas said:

- Thus praised by Devas, Rudra asked them as to what he was to do. The gods said:

O great god, give us a commander. That is the desire of Brahma and others. Rudra said:

O Gods, be free from anxiety. I shall give you a commander. Good time will befall the people.

Saying thus, he sent away Devas and then excited the Sakti (Energy) in him for producing a son.

By this excitement there arose Kumara glowing like fire, holding Sakti (lance), the embodiment of knowledge.

O king, the origin of Kumara is different in different manvantaras.

What remains in the body as Ahaiikara, the same appeared as Senapati for a purpose.

When he was born, Brahma together with Devas worshipped him and Siva.

The Senapati was thus propitiated by all the gods, sages and Siddhas. He then asked gods to give him a plaything and a pair of companions.

Hearing this, the great Siva said: " I shall give a cock as your plaything and Sakha and Visakha as your followers. You are the leader of all beings and you become the commander of the army (of Devas)".

Then Rudra and other gods all praised profusely Skanda the commander. The gods said:

" O lord, Mahcsvara's son, six-faced, cock-bannered, the issue of fire, Skanda, may you be the commander of the army of gods.

O Kumara, a terror to the enemies, the smasher of the Kraunca mountain, son of Krttika, son of Siva.

O the foremost of all beings, giver of joy to fire, son of the lord of all beings, three-eyed god, we bow to you."

Thus extolled by Devas, the son of Siva grew up and became resplendent like the dozen suns and of matchless valour.

O king, he illumined the whole world by his effulgence. Prajapala said:

How is it that you referred to him as the son of Krttika, son of fire, and the son of six mothers? Mahdtapas said:

What I narrated relates to the first birth of Skanda. 92 Varaha Pur ana But the gods, by their omniscience knew about the future also and extolled him accordingly.

In the second birth of Skanda, Krttika, Fire, Mothers and ParvatI were the causes of his origin.

O great king, I have told you the secret of the birth of Ahaiikara (as Skanda) and this is a secret which pertains to selfknowledge.

Skanda is a great god and he dispels all sins. During his anointment, Brahma allotted to him the Sasthi tithi.

On that (Sasthi) day, if one worships him with concentration of mind, and eating only fruit, he becomes blessed with child if he is childless, and attains wealth if he is poor.

Whatever man desires, he attains (by worshipping him on that day).

He who recites the stotra of Karttikeya (Skanda), in his house the children get health and prosperity.

Prqjapala said: O Brahmin, how did light attain embodiment? Please clear my doubt in this matter. Mahatapas said:

When this eternal soul, the power of knowledge, desired to form a second, there arose light.

This was known as Surya (Sun) and Bhasvan and all the radiance contained in it, illumined the three worlds.

In it were seen all gods, Siddhas and sages. Since it was self-born, the appellation Surya came into vogue.

From it the latent lustre assumed a body. This is called Ravi by the Vedic seers.

Since it illumines all the worlds from the high sky, it is called Bhaskara (from bhas to illumine).

Since it produces the day (divasa), it is known as Divakara. Since it is the beginning (adi) of the universe, it is called Aditya.

From its lustre arose twelve suns, and the principal one among these now revolves round the world.

Seeing it pervade the entire universe, the gods came out and praised it. The gods said:

"You are the first-born in the world. You protect the world and also destroy it at t he time of deluge. When you rise, you enliven the whole universe. We always bow to you.

You spread light everywhere. You are the heat in sacrifices. You ride in a chariot pulled by seven steeds, fast and never tardy.

You are Prabhakara, Ravi and Adideva, and the soul of all that is moving and stationary. You are Brahma, Varuna and Yama. You are also the past and the future, so say the Siddhas.

You arc the Veda, you are effulgence, you destroy all enemies. Protect us all who have sought refuge in you. You are to be known through Vedanta. In sacrifices you are known as Visnu.

Be pleased at our prayer, and protect us all, O God."

When thus extolled by Devas, the Sun assumed a gentle form and shed lustre on them.

The fierceness thus became reduced for Devas. It was in the tithi Saptami that the sun became embodied.

He who worships Surya on that day, gets all desires fulfilled.

This ancient story of the sun has been thus narrated to you, O king. Now, hear the story of Mothers in the first manvantara.

Mahatapas said: There was a powerful demon named Andhaka who had made all gods subservient to him by a boon got from Brahma.

Being made his servants and driven out of mount Meru, they were very much afraid of Andhaka and sought refuge in Brahma.

Seeing the gods, Brahma asked them the cause of their arrival there. The gods said:

O grandfather, four-faced, we bow to you and seek your protection from Andhaka who is harassing us. Brahma said:

" O gods, I am helpless. to protect you from Andhaka. So we will seek the help of Siva the great god.

But I have already given him a boon the effect of which cannot be nullified and his body will not touch the earth.

The one person who can kill him is Rudra. So we will all go to Kailasa and see him".

So saying, Brahma along with the other gods, went to Siva. Siva rose up and received them and then asked Brahma. Sambhu said:

With what purpose have all of you gods come to me. Command me soon. The gods said:

"Save us from the wicked and powerful Andhaka".

When the gods were thus reporting to Siva, Andhaka came there with a big army.

His aim was to kill Siva in battle with all the four divisions of the army, as also to kill his consort Parvati.

When the demon thus suddenly appeared ready with all weapons, the gods ranged themselves with Rudra.

Rudra then called mentally Vasuki, Taksaka and Dhananjaya, and made for himself a waist girdle of them.

The big demon called Nala then assumed the guise of an elephant and quickly began to attack Siva.

Nandin (the vehicle of Rudra; indicated the demon by a sign to Vlrabhadra (the army chief j, who thereupon assumed the form of a lion and quickly killed him.

He then peeled off the skin of that elephant dark like collyrium and presented it to Siva who wore it.

From then on Siva became the wearer of elephant's skin.

Wearing this skin, and ornamented with the serpents, Siva with his trident in hand and accompanied by his Ganas, rushed towards Andhaka.

Then started a fierce battle between gods and demons, the guardians of quarters like Indra, Skanda the commander and the gods fought in the battle.

Seeing this Naiada quickly went to Visnu and informed him of the severe fighting between gods and demons in Kailasa.

Hearing this, Visnu took his disc and rode on Garuda to that place and fought against demons.

Although much relieved at the inti' vention of Visnu, the gods were full of despair and were taking to their heels.

When the gods thus became dispirited, Rudra himself darted towards Andhaka and engaged him in a terrible light.

He pierced Andhaka with his trident, but from the blood that fell from his body, arose numerous other Andhakas.

At this wonder, Rudra caught up the original Andhaka in the trident and began to dance.

The other (secondary) Andhakas that came were all annihilated by Visnu with his disc.

With blood and ice in the trident, Rudra rose up in anger.

By this anger, there arose from his mouth a fierce flame. The goddess in this form is known as Yogesvarl.

I have thus told you about the cause as well as the form of these goddesses.

The eight goddesses have as their aspects love, anger, greed, pride, stupefaction, rivalry, malignity and tolerance respectively.

The group love etc., constitute their bodies. They assumed the forms as I have told you now.

When the blood of Andlmka was completely drawn by these goddesses, his Maya (magical power) became extinct and he became a Siddiia.

I have now told you all this which is the nectar of selfknowledge.

O king, he who listens to this account of the origin of Mothers, can get protection everywhere.

He who recites this, becomes blessed in the world and finally attains the world of Siva.

To these Mothers the tithi Astami was ordained by Brahma. By worshipping them (on that day) with devotion eating only Bilva, one attains their favour, wealth and health.

Know love to be Yogesvarl, auger as Mahesvarl, greed Vaisnavl, pride Brahmani, stupefaction Kaumarf, rivalry Indraja, malignity Yamudandadliara and tolerance Varahi.

Then Visnu produced another goddess having his own form: so did Brahma, Karttikeya, Indra and Yama. Visnu then created another having his form at the time of raising up the earth. These together with Mahesvarl and Mahendrl are the eight Mothers.

Prajapala said: How was the auspicious Durga, who is Katyayani and Maya, born with a separate body out of the primordial subtle state. Mahatapas said:

Once there was a valiant king named Sindhudvlpa, a manifestation ofVaruna. He was performing severe penance in the forest with a view to begetting a son who would kill Indra.

With this determination he stood fast in constant penance emaciating his body. Prajapala said:

How was he offended by Indra that he wished to get a son to kill him? Alahatapas said:

In his former birth, lie was die son of Tvasta, and being immune against the attack of any weapon, he was killed with foam.

After a long time, the auspicious river Vetravail assumed a beautiful human form and went to the place where the king was engaged in his austerities.

Seeing her in that beautiful form the king's mind was disturbed and he asked her who she was. The river said:

"I am the wife of Varuna, the lord of waters and my name is Vetravatl. I came here loving you.

He who rejects a woman who approaches him with intense desire, although she belongs to another, brings upon himself a sin like the one on killing a Brahmin. Knowing this, accept me".

Said thus, the king enjoyed her heartily.

In Vetravatl was born immediately a son named Vetrasura who was resplendent like the dozen suns, mighty and brilliant, _md he became the king of Pnigjyotisa.

Indra, when vanquished, went to Agni, Agrti when vanquished went to Yama, Yama when vanquished went to Nirrti, and Nirrti when vanquished went to Varnna.

Yaruna with Indra and others went to Yayu, and Yayu went to Kubera with them.

Kubera went to his friend Siva. The Asura was chasing them all with his club, and so he too came to Sivaloka.

Siva, knowing that he could not be easily killed, took the gods to Brahma worsliipped by Siddhas and others.

" O Brahma, protect all of us Devas and sages, who havenow come to you being harassed by the demon (Vrtra)".

Prayed thus, Brahma looked at Devas and contemplated on Maya by whose prowess there will be no Asuras or Raksasas (left to harass them).

She fought with the Asuras with great agility for a thousand divine years and with various divine weapons.

33-48 "

Finally the demon Vetrasura was killed by her in battle and there was then a great shout of joy in the ranks of Devas.

When the Yetrasura was thus killed, the gods bowed in reverence. Siva uttered praise. Mahesvara said:

"Hail goddess Gayatri, Mahamaya, the great Devi, the highly auspicious.

I bow to you O Mahcsvari, mother of Vedas, with celestial sandal smeared over the body adorned with celestial garlands and necklace, and remaining in letters.

(I bow to) you who remain in all the three worlds, in the three Tattvas, in the three fires, hold the trident, have three eyes and are fierce in face and eyes.

(I bow to you) who arose from Bhava, the Perfect, resembling the moon in lustre, with resplendent body, the great knowledge, capable of being known only by the great, the destroyer of mighty demons.

O you goddess who rose from the great Intellect, free from sorrow, the goddess of the hunters, you are justice, you are fortune, you are speech, you are the cow, you are the everlasting.

I bow to you, O great goddess; you are intelligence, you are opulence, you are the Pranava, you are the Tattvas. You do good to all beings."

Seeing her and knowing that the purpose of Devas had been accomplished, he spoke to them thinking of the future. Brahma said:

"Let this beautiful goddess go to the mountain Himavan and all of you go there and offer her worship.

She should be worshipped with all concentration of mind on NavamT tithi. She will then certainly give boons to the whole world.

On the Navami day if a man or woman fasts taking only some flour, he or she gets all desires accomplished.

He who recites the above stotra by you every morning, will get all boons from you and the goddess, and will also surmount all calamities.

Having said thus to Siva, Brahma spoke to the goddess:

" O goddess, you have to render us another great service in future by killing the demon Mahisasura".

Then, O king, Devas left the place and installed her in the Himalayas and paid her homage. Since she was thus honoure d (nandita) she came to be known as Nanda.

He who listens to this account of the origin of the goddess a n d recites it himself, gets freed of all sins and attains salvation.. '• 'Svaha' and 'Svadha' are expressions uttered when offering oblations ш fire respectively to Devas and Pitrs.

Then appeared there out of the water the great Goddess, a maiden wearing garlands and crown, clad in white cloth, with eight hands each holding a divine weapon, disc, conch, mace, rope, sword, bell, bow (and arrow) and with a quiver, riding on a lion.

In due course he became a powerful and courageous youth, much lucky, and he conquered the whole world consisting of seven islands and then, going up the Mem mountain, conquered Indra, then Agni and then Yama. 98 Varaha Parana

I bow to you SarasvatI, the daughter of Brahma, fyfahamaya, lotus-eyed, shedding ambrosia, omnipresent, the lord of all beings, Svaha, Svadha,1 O Mother.

There Brahma, having created the world, was engaged in meditating on Gayatri, the Maya of the Supreme Being, within the water which was flowing from Visnu's feet. At this Devas cried aloud:

When she was thus extolled by the great Rudra and hailed by the gods, Brahma came out of the water and saw her fully gratified.

Killed by foam, he was dissolved in it. Then he was born in Brahma's line as the valiant Sindhudvlpa, and he performed penance always thinking of his enmity to Indra.

Mahatapas said: "O king Prajapala, listen intently to the story of the origin of diks (quarters) from the ears (of Brahma).

When the first creation was in progress, Brahma became anxious as to who would hold all that he created.

As he was thinking thus, there arose from his ears ten radiant girls.

Ainong them six were more important, namely Purva (East), Daksina (South), Pratlcl (West), Uttara (North), Urdhva (the upward direction) and Adhara (the downward direction).

Then amidst them arose four, particularly attractive, auspicious and endowed with great dignity.

"O lovely girls, this universe is ten crore broad and in this vast expanse you can choose to your liking and tell me soon.

I shall also create sinless and beautiful husbands for you. Go you each to the place you like.

Thus told, they went to the regions they liked. And Brahma soon created the powerful guardian deities of the quarters.

Then Brahma arranged their marriage.

Then Brahma allotted the tithi DasamI to them. Dasami became their favourite.

He who observes vow on that day taking in only curd, becomes cleansed of his sins by their favour.

He who listens to the account of the origin of Diks, undoubtedly gets a secure place in the world of Brahma.

1—31.1-3 101

They asked the sinless Brahma earnestly to give them their quarters as well as husbands to live with there. Brahma said:

One he gave to Indra, another to Agni, the third to Yama, the fourth to Nirrti, the fifth to Varuna, and one each to Vayu, Kubera and Isana. Urdhva he himself took and gave Adhara to Sesa.

Mahatapas said: Listen to the holy story of the origin of the lord of wealth from the body of Vayu.

Vayu was originally within the primordial body, but was later on given a concrete body with a purpose.

That was how Vayu came to possess a concrete shape. Listen to me for details.

When Brahma was creating, there arose from his mouth this air (Vayu). It was coming out showering stones. Brahma, therefore, stopped it and gave it a concrete shape saying "Assume a finite shape and become calm".

When that form was obtained, Brahma ordained that the new being may be the keeper of the wealth ofDevas. Thus came into being Dhanapati (Kubera).

Then being pleased, Brahma allotted to him the tithi Ekadasi. On that day, if one remains pure and takes in only uncooked food, Dhanada becomes pleased and gives him everything.

Such is the body of Dhanapati capable of clearing one of all one's sins. He who listens to (the story of) his origin or recites it, accomplishes all desires and attains heaven.

Mahatapas said: Manu about whom we learn now, is only a manifestation in specific form of the great Visnu.

O king, to the Supreme Being, Narayana, an anxiety a r ose, as he was bringing about creation.

" I have now brought into being this creation and I have 102 Varaha Pur ana to protect it myself. It is not possible to establish the performance of duties without a body. Therefore, I shall create a body for the protection of the world".

O king, while the great Being was thinking thus, the whole creation appeared embodied before him.

Lord Narayana then saw himself entering into it and all the three worlds constituted his person.

Then the Lord remembered the assurance he had to fulfil and gave boons.

"You are omniscient and omnipotent and you are worshipped by the entire world. You be the eternal Visnu governing the three worlds.

You should always look after Devas and do whatever Brahma wants. Doubtless you will be knowing everything."

The Lord then withdrew to his original form. And Visnu evoked his own intellect.

The great Lord then mentally summoned Yoganidra (cosmic slumber) and lodging therein all the creatures that arose out of the senses, entered into slumber.

While thus sleeping, there arose from his belly a big lotus.

Seeing the new being come out of his body, Vayu (air within) was delighted and produced the atmosphere (and said):

"Hold victory over illusion in the form of a conch and a sword to cut off ignorance.

Bear this disc which represents Kalacakra (the course of the world) and a mace to crush unrighteousness.

Let there be round your neck this garland which represents the string of beings, and the sun and the moon in the form of Snvatsa and Kaustubha.

For quick travel you have Garuda. Let the great goddess Laksmi be always with you.

Dvadasi shall be your tithi. Any person who takes in only clarified butter on that day and meditates on you, attains heaven, be the person man or woman."

He is Visnu and his body is constituted of Devas and Asuras. From his own self he creates, protects and destroys.

In every yuga he pervades everything. He is verily the Vedantapurusa. No one should take him as an ordinary man.

He who listens to this holy account of Visnu, acquires great fame and attains heaven.

20—32.1-8 103

It was spreading over all the seven islands of the earth and all the waters and forests and extended upto the nether world. In its interior was Meru and at its top Brahma.

Mahdtapas said: Xow listen, O king, I shall tell you about the origin of Dharma, its greatness and the tithi associated with it.

Udatta is the high tone, Anudalta the low tone and Svarita a combination of the two.

Formerly, the eternal and pure Brahma, who is inferior only to the Supreme, thought of creation as well as the protection of the created.

Then from the right side of his body came out a person with body smeared with white unguent and wearing white garland and white earrings.

Seeing him who was four-footed and bull-shaped, he said: "You be the foremost of my creation and protect all these beings".

Thus ordained, he protects the world with all the four feet in Krtayuga, three feet in Tretayuga, two feet in Dvaparayuga and a single foot in Kaliyuga.

Dharma was established with six divisions in Brahmins, three in Ksatriyas, two in Vaisyas and one in Sudras. This lord (Dharma) is prevalent everywhere in all the islands in the earth.

His four feet are acclaimed as Guna (quality) Dravya (substance), Kriya (action) and Jati (genus).

In the Veda he is considered as having three horns, Sarhhita, Pada and Krama.1 He is Omkara and has two heads and seven hands. '• Samhita ia the Veda with the words conjoined, Pada with the words s e parated, and Krama with each word joined with its succeeding word. 104 Varaha Pur ana

He was bound by the three svaras, Udatta, Anudatia and Svarita.1 Such was Dharma.

As a result of Soma's sin based on the woman, Devas and Asuras fought each other with numerous weapons.

Seeing them at war with each other Narada came to his father Brahma and spoke about it.

Brahma then mounted his swan and forbade them from fighting, and asked them about the cause of fight.

They all said Soma to be the cause, and then he was able to see that his son Dharma had resorted to the forest because of persecution.

Then Brahma went there quickly with Devas and Asuras and saw him there four-footed, bull-like and white like the moon. Brahma said:

This is my first son, the sage by name Dharma, harassed by the moon desirous of the wife of his own brother.

O Devas and Asuras, propitiate him so that your former position may be established.

Thus knowing his identity through Brahma, Devas and Asuras extolled him. Devas said:

"Bow to you, O lord of worlds, moon-like in complexion, bow to you with divine form, the guide to heaven's path.

Bow to you of the form of Karmamarga (the path of action) and omnipresent. The earth is governed by you, in fact all the three worlds.

The other worlds like Jana, Tapas and Satya are also

Bow to you the bull-shaped one with four feet, four horns, three eyes, seven hands and three joints.

O lord, without you, we all go astrav. So give us the right path as we are ignorant. You are our great refuge."

Thus praised by gods, the lord of beings in bull's form, became pleased and spoke with benignity.

By the very look of Dharma Devas became freed from ignorance and attached to righteousness. So too Asuras.

25—33.1 105 governed by you. Without you there is nothing, moving or stationary.

This forest where you have been wandering long will be known by the name 'Dharmaranya'.

The world will see you four-footed, three-footed, twofooted and single-footed respectively in the yugas Krta, Treta, Dvapara and Kali, and extending over earth and heaven, protecting the whole universe".