The Divine Play of Creation: The Mythological Origins and Cosmic Dance of Lord Narayana. Indian mythology curse & boon stories. Curse & boon stories: How did Lord Brahma create the universe?
Upon receiving the command from Lord Shiva, Brahma placed an egg in water. As time passed, the egg grew larger, and from it, the universe was created. Just as ego takes on a formidable form, the egg too grew vast, causing Brahma to worry about where to place it. To alleviate Brahma's concern, the Lord placed the egg on the head of Sheshanaga, where it appeared as small as a mustard seed. However, being spherical, the egg was unstable and kept rolling off, causing the creations on it to be destroyed repeatedly. Unable to find a solution, Brahma prayed to the Supreme Being. Lord Vishwakarma then appeared, adopting a new form to assist in the creation process. He advised Brahma on how to stabilize the universe, and thus eight elephants, each with the strength of a million elephants, were placed in the eight directions. These elephants supported the earth with their trunks, stabilizing the universe. However, sometimes, due to the elephants' movement, the earth would become unstable. Seeing this new problem, the Lord placed Mount Meru on the earth, stabilizing it further. Brahma then divided the universe into fourteen realms. The lower seven realms were named Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Mahatala, Talatala, Rasatala, and Patala, while the upper seven realms were named Bhuloka, Bhuvarloka, Swarloka, Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapaloka, and Satyaloka.
With the universe properly organized, Brahma began the creation of living beings. He imagined Nagas, demons, Yakshas, Danavas, and Pisachas residing in the netherworlds, while humans resided in Bhuloka. Ancestors lived in Bhuvarloka, gods in Swarloka, sages in Maharloka, Siddhas, Charanas, Gandharvas, and Vidyadharas in Janaloka, devotees in Tapaloka, and the Supreme Brahman in Satyaloka. Having created these fourteen realms, Brahma began populating them, starting with the gods. Those born from the essence of the primordial being were called Indra and were crowned as the king of all kings.
Afterward, Brahma created 330 million deities, giving rise to various elemental gods and assigning them to different directions. The eight gods—Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirriti, Varuna, Vayu, Kubera, and Ishana—were made rulers of the eight directions. At the same time, Brahma was placed above the universe and Ananta (Sheshanaga) below it, to guard the cosmos.
Next, Brahma created beings like demons, Danavas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, Pisachas, and Nagas, assigning them appropriate tasks and places in the netherworlds. He created Kinnaras, Gandharvas, Apsaras, and Vidyadharas, each with their respective duties. Finally, Brahma thought of creating humans and placing them on earth. To maintain the balance of creation, the primordial being appointed Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Brahma was responsible for creation, Vishnu for sustenance, and Shiva for destruction. These three deities began working independently: Brahma created, Vishnu nurtured, and Shiva destroyed. As a result, everything became void. In this dilemma, Brahma did not know what to do next, so he meditated once more.
After performing intense penance for a long time, Brahma was graced with a vision of Adi Narayana. Brahma expressed his distress and sought guidance. Moved by Brahma's prayer, Lord Narayana instructed him to create beings through the method of procreation. Brahma then began creating the Prajapatis through the process of procreation. This method was simple and led to an effortless increase in population, which made Brahma very pleased. He then resumed his penance.
Suta continued, "O sages, thus, the world came into existence simply from the Lord's desire to engage in the act of creation. From one world, many worlds emerged, each with its unique qualities and purposes. The Supreme Being is the embodiment of bliss, and by engaging in the act of creation, He continued the expansion of the universe. The instability of creation, which had previously troubled Brahma, was resolved, and the Lord, detached from the act of creation, enjoyed the bliss. The creation had to be sustained, and the Lord, who is bliss incarnate, performed a divine play that is praiseworthy and brings immense joy to countless beings. Therefore, O sages, those who listen to this divine play of the compassionate Supreme Being are not ensnared by the illusion of Maya. Even while engaging in the act of creation, they merge with the blissful essence of the Supreme Father. Those who recite this divine play are considered virtuous and attain pleasure and happiness both in this world and beyond. The blissful Lord keeps His joyous devotees close and grants them His vision."
Hearing these profound words from Suta, the sages, including Shaunaka, were filled with joy. They prayed with folded hands, contemplating the Lord. Suta further said, "Devotees who listen to the accounts of the creation, dissolution, and destruction of the universe are freed from the sins of countless lifetimes."
