Indian Philosophy v1.c8.s5.6

v1.c8.s5.6

In the pluralistic stage the several gods, Varuṇa, Indra, Agni, Viśvakarman, were looked upon as the authors of the universe.⁴ The method of creation is differently conceived. Some gods are supposed to build the world as the carpenter builds a house. The question is raised as to how the tree or the wood out of which the work was built was obtained.⁵ At a later stage the answer is given that Brahman is the tree and the wood out of which heaven and earth are made.¹ The conception of organic growth or development is also now and then suggested.² Sometimes the gods are said to create the world by the power of sacrifice. This perhaps belongs to a later stage of Vedic thought.