For millions upon millions, countless years was spread darkness, When existed neither earth nor heaven, but only the limitless Divine Ordinance. Then existed neither day or night, nor sun or moon; As the Creator was absorbed in an unbroken trance. Existed then neither forms of creation, nor of speech; neither wind nor water. Neither was creation or disappearance or transmigration. Then were not continents, neither regions, the seven seas, nor rivers with water flowing. Existed then neither heaven or the mortal world or the nether world; Neither hell or heaven or time that destroys. Hell and heaven, birth and death were then not--none arrived or departed.
Then were not Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva: None other than the Sole Lord was visible. Neither existed then female or male, or caste and birth-- None suffering and joy received. Unknowable Himself, was He the source of all utterance; Himself the unknowable unmanifested. As it pleased Him, the world He created; Without a supporting power the expanse He sustained.
Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva He created and to maya-attachment gave increase. 1 Himself He made His Ordinance operative and watched over it: Creating continents, spheres and nether worlds, the hidden He made manifest. Creating the universe Himself, He has remained unattached. The compassionate Lord too has made the holy center [the human being]. Combining air, water, and fire, He created the citadel of the body.
The Creator fashioned the Nine Abodes [of sensation]; In the Tenth [the superconscious mind] is lodged the Lord, unknowable, limitless. The illimitable Lord in His unattributed state of void assumed might; He, the infinite One, remaining detached: Displaying his power, He himself from the void created inanimate things. From the unattributed void were created air and water. Raising creation, He dwells as monarch in the citadel of the body. Lord! In the fire and water [of the body] exists Thy light; In Thy [original] state of void was lodged [unmanifest] the power of creation.
