The highest Nivritti is
identical with the annihilation of all duties and acts. Hence, by
adopting Nivritti one should conduct oneself in complete felicity.
Learned preceptors, with settled convictions deducted from the truths of
the Sankhya philosophy, have spoken of me as Kapila endued with the
puissance of Knowledge, dwelling within the effulgence of Surya, and
concentrated in Yoga.[1835] In Chcchandas (Vedas) I have been repeatedly
hymned as the illustrious Hiranyagarbha. In the Yoga scriptures, O
Brahmana, I have been spoken of as one who takes a delight in Yoga. I am
eternal. Assuming a form that is manifest, I dwell, at present, in the
heavens. At the end of a thousand Yugas I shall once more withdraw the
universe into myself. Having withdrawn all creatures, mobile and immobile
into myself, I shall exist all alone with knowledge only for my
companion. After the lapse of ages I shall again create the universe,
with the aid of that knowledge. That which is my fourth form creates the
indestructible Sesha. That Sesha is called by the name of Sankarshana.
Sankarshana creates Pradyumna. From Pradyumna I take birth myself as
Aniruddha. I create (myself) repeatedly. From Aniruddha springs Brahman.
The latter takes birth from Aniruddha's navel. From Brahman spring all
creatures mobile and immobile. Know that Creation springs in this way
repeatedly at the beginning of every Kalpa. Creation and destruction
succeed each other even as sunrise and sunset in this world. Then, again,
as Time, endued with immeasurable energy, forcibly brings back the Sun
after his disappearance, after the same manner I shall, assuming the form
of boar and putting forth my strength, bring back the Earth with her belt
of seas to her own position for the good of all creatures when she
becomes submerged in water. I shall then slay the son of Diti, named
Hiranyaksha, filled with pride of strength.[1836] Assuming the form then
of a Man-lion (Narsingha), I shall, for benefiting the deities, slay
Hiranyakasipu the son of Diti, who will be a great destroyer of
sacrifices. Unto Virochana (the son of Prahlada) will be born a mighty
son of the name of Vali. That great Asura will be unslayable in the whole
universe consisting of deities, Asuras and Rakshasas. He will hurl Sakra
from the sovereignty of the universe. When after routing the Lord of
Sachi, that Asura will take unto himself the sovereignty of the three
worlds. I shall take birth in Aditi's womb, by