Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.3329

c7.3329

(All these am I. There is nothing eternal except me). The Lord was surprised by the voice and there appeared before him Mahādevī with four hands bearing the Śaṅkha, Cakra, Gadā and Padma one in each hand. She wore divine garments and ornaments and was accompanied by Prosperity as her maid. She was surrounded by such forces as Rati, Bhūti, Buddhi, Mati, Kīrti, Smṛti, Dhṛti, Śraddhā, Medhā, Svadhā, Svāhā, Kṣudhā, Nidrā, Dayā, Gati, Tuṣṭi, Puṣṭi, Kṣamā, Lajjā, Jṛmbhā and Tandri. Devi then addressed Mahāviṣṇu thus: "Why wonder? You have always come into being whenever creation was started by the greatness of great powers. The Supreme Being is without quality of any kind. We are all with quality. You have predominance of Sattvaguna. From your navel will arise Brahmā who will be dominated by Rajoguṇa and from the centre of the forehead of Brahmā will be born Rudra with Tamoguṇa predominant in him. Brahmā by the power of his penance will acquire the energy to create and he will then create the world. You will be the protector of this world which will in the end be destroyed by Rudra. I am the sāttvic power to help you in your work and I am always at your service.”