Philosophy and Religion / Harivamsa

Harivaṃśa

217. The work of Creation and upraising of the Earth

VAISHAMPAYANA said:-The Vedic Sruti says that formerly this universe of Brahmā existed in the shape of a golden egg.

Thereupon for creating the world the omnipotent Lord cut off the egg which had its mouth upwards. The Lord, who was conversant with the knowledge of all divisions, again divided it into eight parts.

The etherial hole which was on the surface of the egg was converted into the most excellent Brahmā region intended for the virtuous.

And the hole underneath was coverted into Rasātala. As the material cause of the universe the Lord created that egg with eight sorts of holes; and he then divided senses, in the shape of holes, into gross and subtle elements.

And the various parcels of the egg dyed with diverse colors were converted into variegated clouds. The liquid substance, that was in the egg, became gold on earth.

O King, as the world is covered with oceans, at the timeof the universal dissolution so the entire universe was covered with the streaming juice of that egg.

And the water, that came out of the egg which the Lord created formerly for the construction of the celestial region, became the golden mountains.

With that water, all the quarters, sky, the region of Nāka and all other interstices were covered. And wherever that water dropped mountains were created.

The earth was thick set with mountains and became impassable. Assailed by those mountains extending over many Yojanas the earth was pressed down by their weight.

The celestial water, identical with Narāyana which flowed down on earth became the golden energy. Assailed by that energy and unable to bear it the earth entered into the region underneath.

Seeing the earth enter into the region underneath, the slayer of Madhu, for the well-being of all, devoted his attention to raising her (1-16).

THE LORD said:—Assailed by the weight of my strength the poor goodess Earth is going to Rasātala like unto a cow thrown helplessly into mud (17).

The Earth said:—“Salutation unto Purusottama who is endued with three foot-steps, of incomparable strength, the great Man-lion of four arms, and who bears the mystic mark of Srivatsa on his breast and holds the bow Shrānga, discus, sword and club (18).

O lord, thou dost hold Atman, thou dost uphold the universe, the elements and protect the world. Thou dost, by thy energy and strength, hold all and I sustain them afterwards.

I cannot sustain what thou dost not uphold. There is no element which is not supported by thee. O Nārāyāna, at every Yuga, thou dost, for the behoof of the world, relieve me of my burden.

Assailed by thy energy I am about to enter into Rasātala. I do now seek refuge with thee. Do thou save me. When I am oppressed by the Dānavas and the wicked-souled Rākshasas I do seek thy shelter who art eternal and all truth.

When my mind is possessed by fear I, hundreds of times, pray to thee in my mind who art broad-shouldered and like unto a bull and seek thy shelter.’’

The Lord said:—“O Earth, do not fear. Be self-controlled and enjoy peace. I do bring you to your proper place which you wish (19–26).”

VAISHAMPAYANA said:-Thereupon the great Lord thought in his mind of his celestial forms and said:—“Assuming what form shall I upraise the earth?” Then ascertaining how he would raise up the earth sunk under water, the Lord, sporting in water, thought of his boar-form.

Hari, the upholder of the ground, thus engaged himself in raising up the earth. That Brahmā form, indentical with worlds, was above the reach of all.

It extended over ten Yojanas, and was a hundred Yojanas in height. It was like a dark-blue cloud in hue—and its voice was like the muttering of clouds.

It was strong like a huge mountain and had white burning tusks. It was effulgent like lighting and the rays of the sun. His shoulders were plump and spacious. His gait was like that of a proud tiger.

His back was elevated and he was endued with all the marks of a bull. Having thus assumed the form of a huge boar, Hari entered into Rasātala for raising up the earth.

The Vedas were the feet of that boar, the sacrificial stakes were its teeth, the sacrifice was its hands, Chiti was its mouth, fire was its tongue, Darbha grass was its hair, Brahman was its head.

That Great Yogin was the distributor of days, nights and moments, was identical with the Vedas and their limbs, and adorned with Srutis.

Having thus assumed the form of a sacrificial boar the preceptor of the world immediately entered into the region underneath. He held the earth covered with the mass of water.

For the behoof of the world the Lord entered into Rasātala and upraised the earth with his tusks sunk down there.

Thereupon reinstating the earth in her proper place the Lord upheld the upholders of the earth and then released her. On account of her being held up by him the earth attained to peace and saluted the Lord Vishnu.

Having thus assumed the form of sacrificial boar, the Lord, for the well-being of all, raised up the goddess Earth. Having raised up the earth from Rasātala that foremost of Suras, having eyes, devoted his attention to making various divisions of the world.

Having assumed the form of a huge boar, the highly illustrious Achyuta, of unequalled prowess, raised up the earth with one tusk for the well-being of the world (27–48).

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