In the beginning, the universe lay shrouded in utter darkness. The winds had ceased, and not a single light shone in any direction. Amidst this profound stillness, the desire arose once more to bring about the division and ordering of the world. It was then that He, the Supreme, assumed the form of Brahma—possessing a thousand eyes and a thousand feet, all-seeing and all-encompassing. Known also as Narayana, Brahma rested upon the cosmic waters, immersed in deep slumber at that primordial time. Thus, the first step in the ancient unfolding of creation was set forth, as recounted by the wise. Having listened to this sacred account, the sage Kapeya, his heart filled with delight and curiosity, began to pose further questions. From that moment, the knower of cosmic cycles began to explain the succession of ages and worlds. “I wish to understand this fully,” Kapeya said, “for you are truly skilled in these matters.” In response, the sage commenced to narrate the complete origin of the three worlds: their past, their future, and the succession of cosmic cycles that link them all. He spoke of the present age, the auspicious Varaha Kalpa, which exists now, and urged his listener to grasp the intermediate states that arise between each cycle. He explained that, again and again, new cycles begin, accompanied by the worlds of Janaloka and others. At the end of each cycle, all beings are utterly destroyed, yet within the Manvantaras—the great divisions of time—the transitions between the Yugas, or ages, continue without interruption. The sage summarized the previous cycles, describing the procedures and patterns they followed. He spoke of a cycle in the distant past, beyond the great half-period of cosmic time. Among all these cycles, the first is the one currently unfolding, O twice-born. This era is the period of stability, but eventually, the time of withdrawal and dissolution is remembered and arrives. In former times, there were a thousand sets of four Yugas, each accompanied by its own Manvantaras. During those epochs, the gods who dwell in the celestial realms flourished. Their numbers were vast: twenty-eight crores of virtuous beings, three hundred crores, and another ninety-two crores. In each cycle, these celestial beings—the gods—are remembered and revered. Not only the gods, but also the ancestors, the seers, the immortals, and those beyond caste and stage of life—all existed then. When the great dissolution approached, the gods in the sky, regardless of their form or station, became equal in their steadfastness and composure. As the end of the cycle drew near, the gods who resided in the three worlds, those identified with their particular forms, and even those who endure until the final dissolution, grew disturbed. They turned their minds toward the higher world of Maharloka, seeking refuge. All, abundant in purity, attained perfection through the power of their minds. Brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and people of every birth and background—when troubled by the impending dissolution—set their minds upon Janaloka, another exalted world. Thus, thousands upon thousands of divine ages passed, one after another. Together with those destined to dwell for an entire cycle, they reached Janaloka. Some, ascending higher still, attained Brahmaloka—the supreme realm from which there is no return. In that state, they became equal to Brahma, both in form and experience. Having reached the bliss of Brahma, they were liberated along with Him. Yet, even in these lofty states, they remained bound by the measures and rituals of worship, subject to the conditions of the time. Influenced thus, they performed service, and, in the same manner, joy naturally arose within them.