In the beginning, the divine being divided himself into three parts and moved throughout the three worlds. Then, when all that is movable and immovable had been dissolved into a single ocean, Brahmā—who is also called Nārāyaṇa—shone forth in existence. In the world of Mahas, the sages beheld him, Time itself, resting in slumber. As those great sages turned their attention, the supreme principle, associated with Mahat, was set in motion. From Mahat, due to its steadfast quality, arose the great seers. These seven, known as the great seers in the previous cycle, were the foremost among those embodying Sattva. At that time, these illustrious seers, having been brought forth, beheld Time lying dormant. Because Brahmā creates through the power of his imagination, this process is called a Kalpa. All that is manifest and unmanifest in this world belongs to him, O great god. Yet, between manifestation and unmanifestation, there existed a prior state, which I shall now clearly explain—listen attentively. At the end of the cosmic night, Brahmā acts once more for the sake of creation. In that ocean of darkness, when all that is movable and immovable has disappeared, when only the elements or pure existence remain, he is impelled by desire and force. With his own thought, he sets the process of creation in motion. He perceives that the earth lies hidden within the cosmic waters. Remembering the acts performed in previous Kalpas, the god enacts them again. Desiring the earth, now covered by the waters, that Lord of creatures calls forth the oceanic beings for the oceans and the riverine beings for the rivers. Before creation, when everything had been scorched by the fire of dissolution, those beings who had been joined by the wind from the mountain in that ocean remained. Because they move with the earth, the mountains are called immovable by the sages. Then, the Lord lifted the earth up from the waters. He made the uneven places level, using rocks to form the mountains. In this way, so many mountains stand at the end of each region. The seven continents and oceans were created to encircle one another, and the four worlds beginning with Bhū—along with the moon, sun, and planets—were established. For this cycle, Brahmā created the stationary gods. He also created heaven, the directions, the oceans, all the rivers, and the mountains. He established time itself: moments, sticks, fractions, hours, junctions, nights, and days. He appointed those who preside over places, and the places themselves, each separately. The Krita, Treta, Dvapara, and Tishya ages, as well as the yugas, were set in motion. Those beings I have mentioned to you before, from the earlier cycle, who had not attained the world of asceticism, remained on earth. They stayed there to observe and participate in creation once more. Here, those who accomplished dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa are remembered. Endowed with austerity, they filled the world in ancient times. Through actions joined with attachment and aversion, they went to heaven; and by the remainder of their own karma’s fruits, they became renowned as those of that very nature.