by Krishnaswami Aiyangar | 1940 | 69,979 words
This page describes the order of creation (srishti-krama) which is Chapter 2 of the English translation of the Parama Samh
by Krishnaswami Aiyangar | 1940 | 69,979 words
This page describes the order of creation (srishti-krama) which is Chapter 2 of the English translation of the Parama Samhita, representing a manual of the Pancaratra school of Vaishnavism philosophy. These pages summarize ritualistic worship, initiation and other topics, as contained in the various Agamas belonging to the Pancaratra school
1. O, Bhagavan! the Lord God of Gods, Lord of the lotus eyes! All religious observances have You alone, the Lord of all creation, for their objective, I ween.
2. Whoever should wish to devote himself to your worship, according to prescribed forms, please tell me how they should prosecute the worship. In what place and in what manner should they please you?
3. Whatever is my sport be it in creation or destruction, that you contemplate in due order, and with devotion.
4. The primary origin of all created things (Bhavas) is Prakṛti, otherwise called Dravya; the same thing is also described as Avyākrita (unchanged) and Avidyā (unknown, nonknowledge). That alone is described as Vyakta also.
5-6. Avyakta, Buddhi, Ahaṅkāra, Bhūta and Mātra, these five, the eleven Indriyas, the five Mahābhūtas (material elements), Kṣetra (abode) in two forms, material and etherial, and Kṣetrajña who is the Supreme One. That these are the Tattvas (the primary elements) you have been already told, Holy One!
7. All created things, are associated with three found in Prakṛti. These fall into three classes, the superior, the middle and the inferior.
8. Where Sattva (goodness) dominates, it is superior; where a desire (Rajas) predominates, it is middle, and where Tamas (darkness or ignorance) prevails, it is inferior. Their action also is quite similar.
9. The service that pleases me best is that which is full of goodness (Sattva). Service rendered with desire (Rajas) results in bringing enjoyment. Service offered in ignorance (Tamas) results in delusive attachment.
10. Therefore one who wishes to please me by service, should render service in the Sāttvic (disinterested) form, having destroyed in due order every wish arising from desire and darkness or ignorance (Rajas and Tamas).
11. Adopting the course of destruction (Saṃhāra, involution) proceed to destroy all desire and darkness. Adopting the course of creation, evolutionised recreation must be brought about.
12. In this process of evolution and involution of all created things in one order, it must be understood that the processes reach up to me. Otherwise there will be no fulfilment.
13. Wherefrom is the birth for things and where do they reach their end according to common acceptance. Have both of these processes an end, please tell me.
14. Prakṛti (Nature) gives birth to things. Prakṛti: it is that which swallows them again. With Brahma’s coming into existence is creation, his end brings destruction.
15. The day and the night alike of Brahma are of the measure of one thousand Yugas. By that measure Brahma’s life is a hundred years.
17. What îs the form of that Prakṛti. and in what manner does she bring things into existence? What is the connection between her and the Supreme Puruṣa?
18. The form of Prakṛti is described as unanimated, immeasurable, eternal, always changing; as possessed of the three qualities, and as providing body for those who act (Karmiṇa).
19. The relation between Puruṣa and Prakṛti is universal pervasion (vyāpti), as He, in very truth, is with