vances. The puissant Lord who is
charged with the creation of all the worlds is called Aniruddha, Sana,
Sanatsujata, Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumara, Kapila, and Sanatana
numbering the seventh,--these seven Rishis are known as the spiritual
sons of Brahman. Their knowledge comes to them of itself (without being
dependant on study or exertion). These seven are wedded to the religion
of Nivritti. They are the foremost of all persons conversant with Yoga.
They are possessed also of deep knowledge of the Sankhya philosophy. They
are preceptors of the scriptures on duty and it is they that introduce
the duties of the religion of Nivritti and cause them to flow in the
worlds. From Unmanifest (Prakriti) has flowed Consciousness and the three
great attributes (of Sattwa, Rajas, and Tamas). Transcending Prakriti is
he called Kshetrajna. That Kshetrajna is myself. The path of those that
are wedded to Karma emerging out of Ahankara is fraught with return. One
cannot, by that path, reach the spot whence there is no return. Different
creatures have been created with different ends. Some are intended for
the path of Pravritti and some for that of Nivritti. According to the
path that a creature follows is the reward that he enjoys. This Brahman
is the master of all the worlds. Endued with puissance it is he that
creates the universe.[1848] He is your mother and father, and he is your
grandfather. At my command, he will be the giver of boons unto all
creatures. His son Rudra, who has sprung from his brow at his command,
will, endued with puissance, uphold all created beings. Go ye to your
respective jurisdictions, and seek, according to the ordinances, the good
of the worlds. Let all the scriptural acts flow in all the worlds. Let
there be no delay in this. Ye foremost of celestials, do ye ordain the
acts of all creatures and the ends that they are to attain therefore. Do
ye appoint also the limits of the periods for which all creatures are to
live. This present epoch that has been set to run is the foremost of all
epochs and should be known by the name of Krita. In this Yuga living
creatures should not be slain in the sacrifices that may be performed. It
should be as I ordain and let it not be otherwise. In this age, ye
celestials, Righteousness will flourish in its entirety.[1849] After this
age will come the epoch called Treta. The Vedas, in that Yuga, will lose
one quarter. Only three of them will exist. In the sacrifice that will be