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.
When it all began...
There are numerous texts in Hindu mythology and the story of
creation differs in detail from text to text.
Version 1
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.
First Brahma used his mental powers to create the immortal sages but
ultimately had to turn his attention to the task of creating mortal
men and women in the normal way. Hence he created the female form
Shatrupa, who is more popularly known as Saraswati. He gazed
lovingly at her and when she went behind him, he sprouted a face at
the back of his head so that he could continue to look at her.
Similarly he sprouted a face to the right and left and one on top of
his head as well. He married her and had a son Manu, who was the
first man. Manu underwent a long penance and was rewarded with a
wife Ananti. The Matsya Purana does not specify the origin of Ananti,
but some sources say that she was a manifestation of Shatrupa. Manu
and Ananti then carried on the procreation of the human race.
Version 2
Another and more popular version of the creation story 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 then filled the earth with landforms and trees
and plants and animals and birds and fish.
Which ever version you believe, The Creation according to Hindu
mythology is not an event that happened once. Creation and
Destruction follow each other without beginning and without end.
