More than eighteen opinions on this point have been professed and extraordinary narratives put forward, and each describes a different genesis. It will be sufficient to mention three of them. The first is that God who has no equal, taking upon himself the form of man appeared under the special manifestation called Brahma already alluded to, and by his mere volition produced four sons, Sanak, Sanandan, Sanátan, and Sanatkumár. Each of these was commanded to engage in acts of creation, but lost in rapture of contemplation in the divine essence they neglected to comply. In anger, the Supreme being formed another design and came forth from his own forehead under another semblance and name as Mahá­deva. His sublime immensity unfitted him for creative action. Ten* other sons issued from his volition and then from his body he fashioned the forms of male and female. The former was called Manu and the latter Sata-rúpá. These two are the progenitors of mankind.

Secondly, it is maintained that God* the Creator of the world, mani­fested himself under the form of a woman whom they call Mahá-Lachhmí. Three qualities are incorporated with her, Satva, Raja and Tama. When she willed to create the world, through the instrumentality of Tama, she manifested herself under another form which is called Mahá-Káli and also Mahá-Máyá. By her union with Satva, a further genesis proceeded called Saraswati, and at her command each brought forth a male and female and these two forms she herself inspired with life. Thus two beings were born of each. From Mahá-Lachhmí sprung Brahma under the form of a man, and Sri under the guise of a woman who is also called Sávitri. From Mahá-Káli, were brought forth Mahá-deva and Tri the latter of whom is also distinguished as Mahá-biddiya and Kámdhenu, and from Saraswati came forth Vishnu and Gauri. When these six forms took birth, Mahá-Lachhmí proceeded to their conjugal union, and joined Brahma with Tri, Gauri with Maha-deva, and Sri with Vishnu. The conjunction of Brahma and Tri produced an egg which Maha-deva divided into two parts,* from one of which originated the devatas, daityas and the like supernatural beings; from the other, men, animals, and the vegetable and mineral worlds.

The Third opinion is accounted the most authentic. In the work called, Súrya-Siddhánta* composed some hundreds of thousands of years ago, it is circumstantially related that towards the end of the Satya-yug, flourished the great Demon Maya. That sage was lost in astonishment at the wonders of creation, and confounded by his own ignorance, applied himself to a supplication of the sun to discover the mode in which creation was effected and passed some thousands of years in these entreaties and desires. After he had undergone surpassing trials, that bestower of radiance on the heavens and the earth appeared to him under a beautiful form and asked him what he desired. He said, “Draw back the veil from the marvels of the stars and the skies and from the mysteries of wisdom and illuminate the darkness of my understanding with the light of knowledge.” It was answered: “Thy desire shall be granted. In a certain shrine unite in spirit with me and a celestial being shall appear and instruct you in wisdom.” The seeker was comforted. He waited in expectation at the shrine appointed and near the close of the Satya-yug, the giver of his desire* appeared. The sage entered into much questioning regarding the mysteries of heaven and earth and received replies that satisfied him. The questions and answers were compiled in one volume under the name of the Súrya Siddhánta, and to this day the astronomy, of entire Hindustán is based upon it. In this work the origin of creation is said to be from the Sun, which is regarded as a divine manifestation. The Almighty Creator of the world formed a hollow sphere of gold com­posed of two parts which he rendered luminous with somewhat of His own glory and it was called the Sun. The Sun produced the signs of the Zodiac and from the same source sprung the four Vedas, and afterwards the moon, the ethereal fluid, air, fire, water and earth, in this order. From the ether he produced Jupiter; from the air, Saturn; from fire, Mars; from water, Venus; and from the earth, Mercury. Through the ten portals of the human frame-work he brought various matter into being. The ten portals are thus numbered: the two eyes, the two ears, the nose, the mouth, the navel, the anterior and posterior foramina, and the tenth, the crown of the head, which last is closed. It opens, however, at the time of death in some of those who are about to quit life and body, and this is considered singularly auspicious. His Majesty has increased the number of portals by the two breasts, and counts the number as twelve. After a long course the human race became of four kinds as shall be presently related.