Initially the universe was the self alone. It existed in the form of a person. He could not see anything but His self and at first said: "I am He." Thus, he came to be known as I (Aham) or the Purusha. Even now people address themselves as I. Slowly he became desirous for someone hence he divided himself in two folds. The husband and wife were thus produced. The wife then thought how she can unite with him as she was produced from him. She thought of hiding herself and became a cow and the husband became a bull. They then united and hence cows were born, one became a mare and the other a stallion, the one a female ass, the other a male ass. He again approached her. One became a female goat the other a male goat, the one became a ewe, the other a ram. They again united that produced goats and sheep. In this way he created every living pair. He thought he is essentially the creation as he had created all this. Hence the name of creation was derived. One who is aware of this becomes a creator. He then rubbed and produced fire from the mouth and the hands. Hence the hands and mouth are both hairless. He also created moist from his semen. This is the Soma. The whole universe is either food, or the eater of food. Soma is the food and Agni the eater of the food. This is the surpassing creation of Bramha. With time the universe became differentiated by name and form. The Self entered inside the body hence people cannot see the Self because when it is seen in parts it is incomplete. It is known as the vital breath (prana); while speaking it is the organ of speech; while seeing it is the eye; while hearing it is the ear; while thinking it is the mind. These are just the names given according to their functions. Thus, the Self alone is to be meditated upon. A person who is aware of the Self obtains fame and association with dear ones. This realisation is dearer than a son, than wealth, than any other thing because this soul is more internal. He who worships the soul is not a perishable object. This is known as the knowledge of Bramha. Whoever among the gods, sages or men realised it, he alone became it. Bramha being one could not extend. In the beginning only one existed, the Brahmin. He with his power created the kshatriyahood, the kshatriya or rulers among the gods are Lord Indra, Lord Varuna, Lord Soma(Moon), Rudra, Parjanya, Yama, Mrityu (Death) and Isana. Therefore none is higher than the kshatriyas. Hence, at the Asvamedha Yajnya, the Brahmin sits below and worships the kshatriya and confers that glory on kshatriyahood alone. Brahminhood is thus, the source of kshatriyahood. Next the Vaisya caste and then the Sudra caste was formed. This earth is the Pushan, the nourisher. He next created justice with concentrated power. This justice is the controller of the kshatriya. Even a weak man hopes to defeat a stronger man through justice as it is the truth. The soul (self) verily is the place of all beings. The self is an object of enjoyment to all beings. When he offers oblations in the fire and performs sacrifices, he becomes an object of enjoyment to the gods. When he learns the Vedas, he becomes a source of enjoyment for the rishis. He thus, becomes the object of enjoyment to others in whatever work he does. He wishes no injury to anyone and no one also wishes any injury to him. |