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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 3: Chapter 5: Verses 29-44
The sage Maitreya describes the process of creation in reply to Vidura's question
From the Mahat-tattva, as it underwent transformation, was evolved the principle of 'Aham' (the ego) which, being of the nature of Adhibhuta, Adhyatma and Adhidaiva, is the cause of the five gross elements, the Indriyas (the five senses of perception and the five organs of action) and the mind. Ahankara (the ego) is of three kinds-Vaikarika (Sattvika), Taijasa (Rajasika) and Tamasika. From the Sattvika ego, as it underwent transformation, sprang up the mind, as well as the deities presiding over the senses, who are all of a Sattvika type, revealing as they do the objects of senses. The senses of perception as well as the organs of action are evolutes of the Rajasika ego alone; whereas from the Tamasika ego was evolved the source of the other subtle elements, (viz., sound). And this latter, again, is the cause of ether, which (by virtue of its all-pervasiveness) serves as an illustration of the Spirit (Brahma). When ether came within the range of the Lord's vision along with Time, Maya and the Jiva, they combined to produce the sensation of touch; and this latter, as it underwent transformation, evolved the air. The most powerful air, even as it underwent transformation, combined with ether to produce the sensation of colour and from colour was evolved fire, the illuminator of the world. Fire, when it came within the range of the Lord's vision and underwent transformation, combined with air as well as with Time, Maya and the Jiva to produce water, which is an evolute of taste. Water, when it came within the sight of the all-perceiving Brahma and underwent transformation, combined with fire as well as with Time, Maya and the Jiva to evolve the earth which has odour for its special characteristic. Of the elements beginning with ether (viz., ether, air, fire, water and earth), O blessed Vidura, the later in evolution the elements, the larger number of qualities it should be understood to possess; for every effect naturally inherits the characteristics of its cause along with its own characteristics. The deities presiding over the Mahat-tattva and other categories, sharing as they do the characteristics of Time, Maya and the Jiva (viz., transformation, distraction and consciousness), are rays of Lord Visnu Himself. But when they were unableto do their work (of creating the universe) because of their heterogeneity (and lack of co-ordination), they prayed to the almighty Lord with joined palms:- The gods said : We bow, O Lord, to Your lotus-feet, that relieve the agony of the suppliant even as an umbrella affords relief from the heat of the sun, and by resorting to whose soles striving men easily drive away the endless woes of earthly existence. Because living beings in this world, O Creator and Lord of the universe, never enjoy peace of mind, stricken as they are by the threefold agony, therefore, O Lord, do we resort to the shade of Your feet, which is the abode of wisdom. We have taken shelter in Your feet, which are the abode of sanctity, which the seers search for in seclusion with the help of Vedic Mantras, that are like birds having their nest in the lotus of Your mouth, and which are the source of the Gang& the foremost of all the rivers whose water possesses the virtue of wiping out one's sins. We resort to the footstool bearing Your lotus-feet, by contemplating on which in their heart, that is being purified through reverence and devotion in the shape of hearing (and chanting) the divine names and glory etc., Your votaries succeed in controlling their mind with the help of wisdom strengthened by dispassion. Lord, You have descended into the world of matter for creating, preserving and destroying the universe. We all take refuge in Your lotus-feet, which, when meditated upon, vouchsafe fearlessness to their worshippers. We resort, O Lord, to Your lotus-feet, which are far removed from (inaccessible to) such men as have deep-rooted, though false, identification with their frail body and habitation as well as with persons and things connected with them, looking upon them either as their very self or their own-even though You dwell in their own body (heart) as the Inner Controller. They whose inner mind is led astray by their senses, that are ever moving among the unworthy objects of the world, O suzerain Lord of wide renown ! are, therefore, surely unable to see those devotees who enjoy the privilege of beholding the elegance of Your graceful footsteps.
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