Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.472

c5.472

And, the Devī spoke to Mahāviṣṇu as follows:—After all, what is there to be wondered at. Whenever the world faced the phenomenon of Sṛṣṭisthitilaya (creation, existence and absorption into the primordial force) you too have come up due to the power of Mahāśakti. As for Parāśakti (the ultimate, universal force) it is above and beyond all attributes. We, all of us, possess attributes. From the nābhi (navel) of yourself in whom sattvaguṇa (gentle attributes) predominates will be born Brahmā in whom rajoguṇa (active attributes) will predominate, and from the centre of his brows will be born Rudra with tamoguṇa (black, destructive attributes). Brahmā, by the force of his tapas will earn powers of creation and will with his rajoguṇa create the world blood-red in colour, and you will be the sustainer and guardian of that world. The very same world will be annihilated by Rudra at the end of the Kalpa era. You please do know that I am the sāttvic force which depend on you for the purpose of creation. All creations of worlds have been made according to the suggestions of Devī.