CHAPTER XVI
(THE GREAT BRAHMAN DESCRIBED)
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Vaishampāyana said:—O king, having controlled your five senses listen with whole-minded attention to what I say with a pure mind. Know him as Nishkala Purusha, whom one cannot obtain through Karma, who appears before persons conversant with the knowledge of Brahman, who is not attached to actions, who is related to Brahma, who is the unmanifest cause of the universe, who is eternal, and is with and without form. Egoism, begotten by Atman, proceeds from this Purusha (1-3). He has a celestial form, is the lord of the objects of senses, is beyond the reach of thought, eternal, the origin of Yugas, identical with three forms of time, and not being born is equal everywhere. Persons, having the knowledge of Nārayana, know him as separate from the unmanifest. He comprehends all, courses everywhere, has his head everywhere, sees all, has his face towards all, hears all and extends over the space. He is the cause of cause and action, exists as manifest and unmanifest and is not seen by any body when he moves about (4–7). Although he is beyond the reach of thought and without any form, yet he, assuming a form and manifesting himself, ranges everywhere as fire in a wood. He is identical with past, present and future. He is Parameshthin, Prajāpati and the lord of the worlds. This name of His Has been truly sung. That unmanifest one becomes manifest through Brahma Yoga. Ahankāra has been begotten by ignorance proceeding from Nārāyana (8-10). This Purusha with the consciousness of self exists as Brahma. He is the lord of the world mobile and immobile and is called Brahmā.
The Lord, whose creation is this universe, who is the origin of all, said "I will create all." When Brahma said this the consciousness of ego was produced from nature and thus the whole world was brought into being. But the true, Omni-present Brahma, devoid of qualities, remained as Brahma. From the five subtle elements, the attributes of the unmanifest Brahma, emanated the Vedas and their various branches (11-15). Thereupon commanded by Brahma through whom every thing becomes manifest Brahmā took a form from nature and created water. Afterwards amongst creators following the command of Iswara, the seventh Brahmā created air as before, held it and passed by the name of Dhatri. Formerly when this universe, produced by air, was submerged under water the Tarjasa celestials raised it up and now the whole universe is manifest. When Iswara felt a desire for creating the earth for placing his creation he converted a portion of water into solid substance and the other remained liquid: and so the people perceived the earth (16–19). On account of the water being converted into a solid substance the Purusha Bhu rose up and filling all the quarters with a grave sound said:—"I wish to live above water. On account of the water being turned solid I am being afflicted and worn out. Therefore hold me up." Afterwards Prithivi, Earth, spread everywhere and upholding all creatures desirous of having some room, assumed a form and said "Raise me up." Hearing those sweet words Hari assumed the form of a boar and jumped down into the great ocean. Having performed the most difficult task of raising up the Earth from water he so engaged himself in Samādhi (mental concentration) that nobody could see him. He, who assuming the form of a boar raised up the Earth, is the effulgent Brahma. Some know him as Akāsa (ether). Brahmā, the creator of all, originated from Him. That Iswara, the origin of all, through his subtle mental Yoga of Jnana, is still upholding the earth in the shape of the serpent and tortoise, for the well being of the world. Riving the interior of the earth and water which produced it the sun, as if smiling, stationed himself on high. From the solar region, full of heat emanated the lunar region full of water. Because the moon emanated from the Eternal knowledge and was gifted with His supreme knowledge he was called Soma (Sa-Brahma and Uma, knowledge of Brahman) (20-28). From the end of the lunar region emanated air (vital breath). He began to nurse the Vedas explaining the causes of all phenomena (29). Through his knowledge of Yoga and on account of his nature originating from Brahman he created a celestial and eternal Purusha (30). His liquid state became water and his solid state earth; his holes became the sky and the luminous portion became the eye (31). The principle of Mahat, emanating from Brahman as Purusha and begotten by effulgence, agitates the body through air, when united with five elements (32). Jiva or the human soul exists eternally as Jnāna in Buddhi: only Isvara knows it (33). The fire or self which exist eternally in the body united with the five elements is the sun (i.e. supreme soul) (34). On account of the pristine actions the human soul either advances (in spiritualism) or goes down, either enjoys happiness or suffers misery (35). Stupified by the senses and therefore ignorant of (the true form of) Brahman one meets with birth or death on account of his Karma (action) (36). As long as a man is not identified with the Supreme Brahman so long he passes through repeated births in this world (37). When by virtue of Yoga he gets mastery over his senses he becomes at one with Brahman and enjoys true happiness (38). Yet separating himself from this world (of changes) he becomes identical with Brahman: he is not then led to ruin by anger (and other passions) nor becomes attached to objects of senses (39). This ominiscient person, who has acquired the highest spiritual powers, enters into the essence of elements. He then knows the birth and death. That man, conversant with the true form of Brahman, acquires the knowledge of the means of emancipation and the past and future actions and attains to a most excellent status (40-41). By his manas (mind) he conquers all the intellectual faculties and all other desires that agitate the mind as the wind disturbs the ocean (42). Through the eye of Jnāna (spiritual knowledge) the soul of a man, who conquers all the desires. contaminating his mind, is released from all the fetters of the body (43). The Yogin, having a subtle body, can, through spiritual science, create or destroy the next world and can create even this world (44). He, who has his mind, fixed on the Supreme Soul, can release those who, on account of their pristine deeds, have taken birth in a degraded order. (45). Action leads both to emancipation and enjoyment. But he who has immersed himself in the Brahman has no action leading to worldly enjoyments (46).
Source: https://archive.org/details/AProseEnglishTranslationOfHarivamsh
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