Studies in the Epics and Puranas c8.30

c8.30

Another creation legend is still more remarkable, though also much less clear, which begins with the words,¹⁴ "In the beginning there was here only the non-existent (Asat)". But it is at once added that this non-existent was really the Ṛṣis, for these, by means of self-torture and self-mortification, have brought forth everything. These Ṛṣis, however, were the Prāṇas or life-spirits, and these created first seven Puruṣas or persons, and then united these to a single Puruṣa, to Prajāpati.