3    ‘Srishti Vidhana’
Pancha Lakshanas (Five broad features) of Puranas are: Sarga, Prati Sarga, Manvantaras, Vamshas and Visarga. Paramatma (Supreme Shakti) and alternative Power called Prakriti materialised Maha Tatwa (Great Awareness); Maha Tatwa generated Ahamkara (Ego in abstractness or Self-Consciousness) which enabled the Creation of Pancha Bhutas. The very First Creation was of Narayana created by Apo Naara or the Radiant Water. The floating Narayana through his Virya / virility produced a Golden Egg and Brahma the Hiranya Garbha was inside the Egg which had two parts; the upper part being the Urthva Loka and Bhuva the lower part; the space in between was Aakaasha.                                                                                                                         In Prati Sarga, Brahma created Dasa Dishas, Kaalamaana (Concept of Time), Arishad -vargas, Ekadasa Rudras (Ajaikapaada, Abhirbudhnya, Virupaaksha, Raivata, Hara, Bahurupa, Triambika, Saavitra, Jayanta, Pinaki, and Aparajita); Chatur Vedas , Ashtaadasha Puranas, Shat-Vedangas viz Siksha including Sangeeta and Nyaya; Vyakarana, Kalpa Grandha, Nirukta, Chandas Shastra, Jyotisha including Jataka Skandha;  Buddhi, Charaachara jagat –moveable and immobile Universe, Sapta Rishis (Marichi,Atri, Angirasa, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu,and  Vasishtha); Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanaatana  and Sanat Kumara brothers; Prajapatis; Narada; Manvantaras, Chatusshasthi Kalas, Sapta Dwipas (Jambu, Plaksha, Salmaali, Kusha, Krouncha, Shaka and  Pushkala) and  Sapta Samudras (Lavana,Ikshurasa, Sura, Grita, Dahi, Ksheera, and Suswada ie.Salt water, Sugar cane juice, Sura, Classified Butter , Curd, milk, and sweet water), Sapta Parvatas viz. Sumeru, Kailasa, Malaya, Himalaya, Udyachala, Agastyachala, Suvela ande Gandhamaadana; Ananta Shesha was at the root of Meru. Brahma also created Eight Lokapaalakaas viz. Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirruti,, Varuna, Vayu and Ishana; Sapta Lokas viz.Bhuloka, Bhuvarloka, Swarloka, Maharloka, Janarloka, Tapoloka, and Satya loka; Sapta Patalas viz. Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talaatala, Mahatala, Patala and Rasatala. Brahma further created Chaturvarnas, Chaturaashramaas, Yagnas and Yagaas, Agni Homas like Shodasi, Ukta, Purushi, Agnishtoma, Aptoryama, Atiratra, Vajapeya and Goshava. Some of Prajapatis born of Brahma like Daksha made contributions in expanding their progeny and he begot from his wife Ashkini sixty daughters of whom seventeen were given to Kashyapa Muni, while the rest were given to Yamadharma Raja, twenty seven to Chandra, and to each to Angira, Kaa1rashava and Bhuta. Kashyapa’s wives included Aditi (Daityas), Diti (Devas), Danu (Danavas), Arishta, (Gandharvas and Kinnaras) Surasa, and Kadru (serpents), Surabhi, (Cows, buffalos and oxen), Vinata (Vihangas), Tamra and Ira (Trees, creepers), Kadru (Serpents), Vishva (Yakshas and Rakshasas), Muni (Apsaras) and so on.


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