While concluding Vidyesvara Samhita and opening Rudra Samhita, Veda Vyas described ‘Srishthi Kanda’ (Process of Creation) as was narrated by Suta Muni to Sages. At the stage of ‘Maha Pralaya’ or the Great Dissolution of Universe, there was nothing except Bhagavan Siva. He assumed His Power as Bhagavati Amba and together they created Maha Vishnu. As a child the latter enquired of the cause of His existence and Siva provided His breathing as Vedas and their full knowledge to Vishnu. He also commanded Vishnu to carry out penance, which the latter did for twelve years but could not visualize Siva and Amba again. A voice was heard that Vishnu should continue penance again. Eventually Vishnu found self lulled into yogic sleep and got floated on a huge sheet of Ocean which emerged as fountains from Bhagavan Siva’s skin- pores in all directions; Vishnu was named Narayana. He created the Basic Five Elements of Earth, Fire, Sky, Wind and Water; the Thee Gunas (attributes) of Satvic, Rajas and Tamas nature, besides ‘Ahamkara’ or Ego; the Five Tanmathras viz. Sparsha(Touch), Sabda (sound), Rupa (Colour and Form), Rasa (taste) and Gandha (smell); the Five Jnanendriyas (Skin, Ears, Eyes, Tongue and Nose) and Five Senses viz. (Touch, Hear, See, Taste and Breath). In total, there were twenty four features thus created by Maha Vishnu. As ordained by Bhagavan Siva a Lotus Flower sprouted from Vishnu’s navel in Yoga Nidra and on top of the lotus stalk there was Brahma on the top who sought to travel down the hollow stalk but failed and returned to Vishnu and fought Him to assert His superiority over Vishnu.Thus followed the Drama of ‘Analstambha’ appearing, the cheating by Brahma, Bhagavan Siva cutting one of the Five Heads of Brahma as a punishment, declaring Maha Vishnu as the Senior, alloting the tasks to Brahma to create, Vishnu to preserve and Rudra to Dissolve, and so on. Then emerged the Omkara Mantra – ‘A’ signifying Creation, ‘U’ for Preservation and ‘M’ for destruction. The sum of the word OM manifested as a Golden Egg was submerged in waters for thousands of years and when Bhagavan Siva cut the Egg into two parts, one half appeared as Earth and the other half as heaven. From Siva’s physique emanated the vowels and consonants and Vishnu discovered the Forty Eight Lettered mantras from Omkara the most significant Duel Mantra Expressions viz. Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Maha Devaya Dhimahi Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat and Tatsavitur varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyoyona Prachotayat. Therafter emerged the following Mantras :- The Mrutyunjaya Mantra: Om Joong sah; Hraung Hring Joong Sah and Trayambakam Yaja mahe; Namah Sivaya; the Chintamani Mantra Kshayaum; the Dakshina Murti Mantra : Om Namo Bhagavate Dakshina Murthaye Mahyam Megham Prayaccha Swaha; Tatvamasi and so on.
Sri V.D.N.Rao and Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham
Kamakoti.org presents the Essence of Puranas in English, condensed by Sri. V.D.N.Rao, devotee of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. Compiled, Composed and Interpreted by V.D.N.Rao, Former General Manager, India Trade Promotion Organisation, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India The author can be contacted at [email protected]