The Geography of the Puranas c13.s4.2

c13.s4.2

The first part (or *Lakṣaṇa*) of all the Purāṇas deals mainly with the details of Creation—primary (*Sarga*) and secondary (*Prati-Sarga*). The first explains how the Universe proceeds from Prakṛti (or eternal crude matter); the second, in what manner the forms of things are developed from the elementary substances previously evolved, or how they reappear after their temporary destruction. Both these creations are periodical, but the termination of the first occurs only at the end of the life of Brahmā when not only all other forms are annihilated, but the elements are again merged into primary substance, besides which only the Spritual Being exists: the latter takes place at the end of every Kalpa or the Day of Brahmā, and affects only the forms of inferior creatures, and lower worlds, leaving the substance of the Universe entire and sages and gods unaffected. Thus the Purāṇic cosmogony is based on the two basic principles: viz., (a) infinite and eternal revolutions of the Universe and (b) the co-eternity of Spirit (Puruṣa) and matter (Pradhāna).