From Manu’s consort Śatarūpā were born two sons, and among them, Manu gave his own daughter, Prasūti, in marriage to the great Dakṣa. In those ancient times, the world was nourished by Yajña and Dakṣiṇā; these two, known as Yāmā among the gods during the era of Svāyambhuva, played a vital role in upholding cosmic order. Dakṣa, the great progenitor, then created daughters, and their names were revered: Buddhi, Lajjā, Vapu, Śānti, Siddhi, Kīrti, and Trayodaśī. From these elder daughters came eleven younger, fair-eyed daughters, whose names were Saṃtati, Anasūyā, Ūrjā, Svāhā, and Svadhā. The sages Pulastya, Pulaha, and Kratu—foremost among those who know dharma—accepted these daughters, beginning with Khyāti, as their wives. From the union of Dhṛti was born Niyama, and from Tuṣṭi came Saṃtoṣa. Kriyā bore the son Daṇḍa, as well as Samaya. Lajjā’s son was Vinaya, and Vapu brought forth Vyavasāyaka. Kīrti’s son was Yaśas. These were the virtuous sons of Dharma, and through them, the creation that leads to happiness spread forth. But from Nikṛti and Anṛta were born Bhaya and Naraka. Bhaya gave rise to Māyā and to Mṛtyu, the taker of all beings. From Mṛtyu sprang disease, old age, sorrow, thirst, and anger. These beings, however, had neither wives nor sons; they remained celibate, existing apart from the flow of ordinary lineage. Thus, O best among sages, the creation was set forth, as has been briefly described. Thereafter, the sages, filled with reverence, bowed to the great Vishnu, the bestower of boons, and approached him with their doubts. They implored, “O Lord, resolve this question for us: How did the earth become the son of Brahma, whose own birth is mysterious and unmanifest? Please explain to us the appearance of the lord of beings who was born from the cosmic egg. Tell us too of Brahma’s sonship and his origin from the lotus.” In response, the tale of the beginning was recounted: In the beginning, all was but a single, boundless ocean—there were no gods, no sages, only infinite waters. Upon these waters, the Supreme Person, Vishnu, rested in deep yogic sleep, reclining upon the mighty serpent Shesha. He was resplendent, with a thousand arms and infinite knowledge, his glory contemplated by the wise. He embodied the highest yoga, dwelling in the hearts of all yogis. From the navel of this Supreme Person arose a wondrous lotus, pure and radiant, the very essence of the three worlds. This lotus was divine, fragrant, auspicious, and adorned with shining stamens and filaments. To this sacred place came the blessed Hiranyagarbha, Brahma himself. Deluded by the Lord’s maya, Brahma spoke sweet words, asking, “Who are you, who alone abides here? Tell me, O best among men.” With a voice as deep as thunderclouds, the Supreme Person replied, “Know me as the Supreme Person, the great lord of yoga. The earth, with all its mountains and continents, is surrounded by seven oceans.” Yet, though Brahma heard these words, he too inquired, “Even knowing this, O great yogi, who are you?” The Lord, the lotus-eyed one, smiled gently and replied with soft words, “The universe abides in me alone; I am Brahma, the all-faced.” Thus were the mysteries of creation and the origins of the earth and Brahma revealed to the sages.