Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.2475

c4.2475

(2) In days of old all the worlds with everything in them were under water in a single ocean. The Sun, the Moon, the Stars, air, fire, everything was destroyed. A day of utter darkness appeared. Grass, bush all were destroyed. Nothing could be seen and recognized. All existents and non-existents were destroyed. Bhagavān, (Supreme Being) was sleeping continuously for so many thousands of nights. At the end of the night Bhagavān assumed the attribute of Rajas (Activity) and got ready for the work of creation. He, the knower of all Vedas and Vedāṅgas appeared in the shape of a wonderful being with five faces. Another being with three eyes, matted hair, a trident in one hand, and a garland of beads in the other, and with darkness as its attribute took shape. That being was called Puruṣa (the male creative energy). Then the Mahātmā (the Supreme Spirit) created Ahaṃkāra (Egoism). It affected Brahmā and Śiva. Overcome by egoism, Śiva said to Brahmā:—“Who are you? Who created you?” Swelled with egoism Brahmā asked in reply:—“Who are you? Who are your parents? Let me hear it.” This talk ended in a quarrel. The origin of Bhagavān (the Lord) was from this quarrel. Immediately after his birth the Lord took an unparalleled lute and playing it, went up to the sky. Śiva being defeated by Brahmā, bowed his head and coloured. While Parameśvara was standing angrily thus, the fifth face told him, “You, who are having three eyes and whose attribute is darkness! look here! I will tell you all. You, who wear air as garments, and ride on an ox, are the destroyer of the world.” Hearing these words Śiva grew more and more angry, opened his third eye and looked steadily at Brahmā to burn him. Seeing the faces shining like the Sun Brahmā said, “When you beat on water, bubbles will appear. But do they have any prowess? Hearing this, Śiva plucked off the head of Brahmā with the tip of his finger nails. (Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 2).