Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 3 Chapter 20:36-53

Book 3: Chapter 20

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 3: Chapter 20: Verses 36-53 The various species of living beings created by Brahma When you strike the bouncing ball against the ground with your hand again and again, O praiseworthy woman, your lotus-feet stay not at one place; oppressed by the weight of your full breasts, your waist gets fatigued and your clear vision grows dull as it were. Pray, braid your comely hair." Thus the Asuras of clouded understanding took the evening twilight, that showed itself in the form of a young woman, for an alluring damsel and seized her. With a laugh full of deep significance the worshipful Brahma evolved by his own loveliness, which seemed to enjoy itself by itself, hosts of Gandharvas (celestial musicians) and Apsaras (dancing girls of heaven). (After that) he gave up that shining and beloved form made of moon-light. Viawavasu and the other Gandharvas themselves gladly took possession of it. The glorious Brahma (next) evolved out of his sloth the Bhutas (ghosts) and Pisacas (fiends); but he closed his eyes when he saw them stand naked with their hair dishevelled. The Bhutas and Pisacas themselves took possession of the body, in the form of yawn, thrown off by Brahma, the lord of beings. It is also known as sleep, which causes the mouth etc., of living beings to eject running saliva. And these very Bhutas and Pisacas attack men who are rendered impure in this way and such attack of theirs is spoken of as insanity. Recognizing himself as full of vigour and energy, the worshipful Brahma, the lord of beings, evolved out of his invisible form the hosts of the Sadhyas and the Pitrs (manes). The Pitrs themselves took possession of that invisible body, the source of their existence. It is through the medium of this invisible body (of the Pitrs) that those well-versed in the ritual offer oblations to the Sadhyas and the Pitrs (in the form of their departed ancestors on the occasion of Sraddhaetc.). By his faculty of remaining hidden from view Brahma evolved the species of living beings called the Siddhas and the Vidyadharas, and gave them that marvellous form of his, known by the name of Antardhana (the faculty of remaining hidden from view). One day Brahma (the lord of beings) beheld his own reflection (in water) and, admiring himself through that, evolved the Kimpurusas as well as Kinnaras out of that very reflection. They took possession of that (shadowy) form, which was left by Brahma. That is why they sing his praises by recounting his exploits at daybreak (every morning) with their spouses. Once Brahma lay with his body stretched at full length, much concerned over the fact that 'the work of creation had not proceeded apace, and in a sullen mood shed that body too. The hair that dropped from that body (as he apparently pulled them in afit of excitement) were transformed into snakes, dear Vidura; while, even as the body crawled along (with its hands and feet contracted), there sprang from it ferocious serpents and Nagas with their necks dilated in the form of hood. One day, Brahma (the self-born creator) felt as if the object of his life had been accomplished; at that time he evolved out of his mind, last of all, the Manus, who promote the welfare of the world. To them the self-possessed creator gave his own human form. On seeing them (the Manus) those who had been created earlier (viz., the gods, the Gandharvas and so on) applauded Brahma (the lord of created beings). "Oh,.creator of the universe I we are glad what you have produced is well done. Since (all) ritual acts (such as pouring oblations into the sacred fire) have been placed on a sound footing in this human form, we shall all share the sacrificial oblations .with it." Having equipped himself with austere penance, adoration, Yoga (concentration of mind) and Samadhi (deep meditation) accompanied by dispassion etc., and having controlled his senses, Brahma (the first seer) evolved the Rsis, his beloved sons. To each one of these the unborn creator gave a part of his own body, which was characterized by deep meditation, concentration of mind,, supernatural power, austerity, adoration and dispassion. Thus ends the twentieth discourse in Book Three of the great and glorious Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.