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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 4: Chapter 1: Verses 16-31
The Progeny of Swayambhuva Manus Daughters
Vidura said: With what intention did the three foremost gods (Brahma, Visnu and Siva), who are severally responsible for the (processes of) creation, preservation and destruction (of the universe), appear in .the house of Atri ? Tell me this, my master. Maitreya replied: Urged by Brahma to multiply creation, the sage Atri, the foremost of the knowers of Brahma, removed with his wife to the Rksa mountain, one of the principal mountain ranges (of India), intent on practising austere penance. On that mountain, clothed with a forest of Palasa and Atoka trees, which was laden with bunches of flowers and echoed on all sides with the sound of the waters of the Nirvindhya river falling (on its rocks), the sage subjugated his mind by means of Pranayama (breath-control) and remained standing on one foot for a full century, subsisting on the air and defying cold and heat and other such pairs of opposites. The thought which was foremost in his mind (all the time) was : "l resort for protection to Him who is the Lord of the (whole) universe. May He bless me with offspring like Himself." Seeing the three worlds being tormented with the fire produced by the fuel of Pranayama and issuing from the crown of the sage's head, all the three lords (Brahma, Visnu and Siva) went to his hermitage. Their glory was being sung (all the time) by Apsaras (celestial nymphs), sages, Gandharvas (celestial musicians) and (other demigods such as) Siddhas, Vidyadharas and Nagas. His mind being flooded with light by their simultaneous appearance, the sage stretched himself up even on one leg and saw the three foremost gods seated severally on a swan, Garuda (the king of the birds) and a bull (Nandi and distinguished by their characteristic marks (a Kamandalu or water-pot, a discus and a trident and soon). He greeted them by falling prostrate on the ground and paid them homage with articles of worship (such as water, flowers and so on) in the hollow of his palms, their gracious look and smiling faces bearing testimony to their pleasure. The sage closed his eyes, which were dazzled by Their splendour, and collecting his mind, which had conceived a fondness for them, extolled with joined palms and in sweet and significant words, the three gods, who were the greatest of all in the whole universe. Atri said : You are (evidently) Brahma, Visnu and Siva, who assume a personality at the beginning of every Kalpa (round of creation) with the help of the three Gunas (modes) of Maya (Prakrti), divided for the purpose of creation, preservation and destruction of the universe. I bow to You all. (Pray tell me,) of You three, who was called by me here? It was the one (supreme) Lord, the foremost of all the gods, whose presence here was invoked by me in order to be able to beget children. How, then, did You all (condescend to) come here-You, who are beyond the reach even of the mind of embodied beings ? Be pleased to tell me (the secret of it); for great is my wonder at this. Maitreya went on : Hearing these words of Atri, the three foremost divinities laughed and replied to the sage in sweet accents as follows, O mighty Vidura. The Deities said: As you willed, precisely so it must happen; it could not be otherwise. For it was your will, O brahmana--you, who are so true of resolve. We three (taken together) represent the truth on which you contemplated. Now there will be born to you, may you be blessed, three sons embodying our rays, who will themselves be celebrated throughout the world; 0 dear sage, and,shall spread your fame too.
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