Hear now of the complete liberation from all sins—a deliverance sought even by the gods and the sages. I shall recount for you, in detail and in the proper order, the wondrous and profound account approved by the Vedas, as it has been handed down through the ages. By upholding one’s own lineage, a person is honored in the heavenly world. Therefore, understand well what is being praised here, for such praise increases the glory of the ancients and celebrates all those of steadfast fame and virtuous deeds. Let us offer our reverence to Hiranyagarbha, the Supreme Person and Lord, bowing in devotion to Brahma, the self-born ruler of the worlds. What is to be described is established by five proofs, resting upon six systems, and presided over by the Supreme Person. It is that unmanifest cause, eternal in nature, embodying both being and non-being. This principle is devoid of smell, form, taste, sound, and touch—a reality beyond the senses. Yet, from this unmanifest, all forms of beings came forth. That Brahman, which transcends both being and non-being, remains unknowable and inaccessible to ordinary perception. In the beginning, when the qualities were in perfect equilibrium, it did not shine forth, for it was composed entirely of darkness. But when the qualities became manifest, the great principle known as mahat arose. With the predominance of sattva at the outset, it shone forth as pure existence. Only the unmanifest emerged, and the great principle was presided over by the knower of the field. Freed from pride, this principle undertook the great act of creation, impelled by the desire to bring forth the universe. From the great principle arose the mind, O Brahman, a power difficult to comprehend, emanating from the Lord. This mind perceives all beings, and thus, the all-pervading one is recognized as the result of action. Because it contains the essence of all principles and is great in measure, it perceives division and contemplates separation. Its vastness, its capacity to expand, and its role as the support of all entities are well known. It fills all bodies with its blessings. Within it, the function and instrument of Brahman were established in times past. He who possesses a body is called the first person—the puruṣa—right from the beginning. He is the original creator of beings, the Brahman who existed before all. In both creation and dissolution, the knower of the field, Brahman, remains steadfast and unchanged. At the conjunctions of cosmic cycles, these beings assume bodies anew. The wise should know that, just as water in a pit dissolves back into the earth, so too do all beings dissolve into the five elements. The earth with its seven continents, together with the seven oceans, is encompassed within this principle. Indeed, all the worlds exist within it; the entire universe is contained therein. Whatever exists, whether as worlds or non-worlds, within the cosmic egg, is established within this reality. Outside, the cosmic egg is enveloped by wind, which in turn is covered by fire, tenfold in intensity. All of space is likewise enclosed by the elements—earth and the others—layer upon layer. Thus, the cosmic egg is covered by these seven natural sheaths. At the time of creation, these sheaths remain, and in due course, each consumes the next in order. These modifications exist in a relationship of support and supported, among all that is modified. Such is the natural creation, presided over by the knower of the field. He is long-lived, renowned, fortunate, and wise—of this, there can be no doubt.