ith Intelligence, He once more
addressed him, saying--'Do thou now create diverse kinds of
creatures.'--Replying unto Narayana by uttering the word 'Yes,' Brahma
reverently accepted the command of his progenitor. Narayana then
disappeared from Brahma's presence, and in a moment repaired to his own
place, known by the name of Deva (Light or Effulgence). Returning to His
own disposition (of Unmanifestness), Hari remained in that state of
oneness. After the task of creation, however, had been accomplished by
Brahma, another thought arose in the mind of Narayana. Indeed, he
reflected in this strain:--'Brahma, otherwise called Parameshthi, has
created all these creatures, consisting of Daityas and Danavas and
Gandharvas and Rakshasas. The helpless Earth has become burthened with
the weight of creatures. Many among the Daityas and Danavas and Rakshasas
on Earth will become endued with great strength. Possessed of penances,
they will at diverse times succeed in acquiring many excellent boons.
Swelling with pride and might in consequence of those boons that they
will succeed in obtaining, they will oppress and afflict the deities and
the Rishis possessed of ascetic might. It is, therefore, meet that I
should now and then lighten the burthen of the Earth, by assuming diverse
forms one after another as occasion would require. I shall achieve this
task by chastising the wicked and upholding the righteous. (Thus looked
after by me), the Earth, which is the embodiment of Truth, will succeed
in bearing her load of creatures. Assuming the form of a mighty snake I
myself have to uphold the Earth in empty space. Upheld by me thus, she
will uphold the entire creation, mobile and immobile. Incarnated on the
Earth, therefore, in different forms, I shall have to rescue her at such
times from peril.' Having reflected in this way, the illustrious slayer of
Madhu created diverse forms in his mind in which to appear from time to
time for accomplishing the task in view. 'Assuming the form of a Boar, of
Man-lion, of a Dwarf, and of human beings, I shall quell or slay such
enemies of the deities as will become wicked and ungovernable.' After
this, the original Creator of the universe once more uttered the
syllable, Bho, causing the atmosphere to resound with it. From this
syllable of speech (Saraswati) arose a Rishi of the name Saraswat. The
son, thus born of the Speech of Narayana, came to be, also called by the
name of Apantaratamas. Endued with g