VIII. DEVA AND DEVA-YONI CREATION.

*SKANDHA III., CHAP. 20.* Vidura asked Maitreya: How did Marichi and other Rishis and also Svayambhuva Manu carry out Brahma's orders to create. Maitreya continued the story of Creation in reply to Vidura. We have heard of the primal dark creation of Brahma, consisting of five-fold Avidya. Referring to that, Maitreya said, it was a creation of shadows. Brahma was not pleased with this shadowy creation. He gave up the dark body and it became night, At that time Yakshas and Rakshasas were born and they took it up. The body was not only dark, but it was the seat of hunger and thirst. The new-born therefore in their hunger and thirst ran after Brahma to devour Him. Some of them said: "Have no mercy on Him as father." Others said "Devour him." Brahma became afraid of them and said -- "Save me. You are my sons. You should not devour me." Those that said "Devour" are Yakshas and those that said "Do not save him" are Rakshasas. Brahma then created the Devas, with His radiant Satvika body. This body when given up became day and the playing Devas took it up. Brahma then created the Asuras out of His thigh. They became extremely passionate and ran after Brahma void of all shame. In great distress Brahma prayed to Vishnu and the Creator was told to give up His body of passion. The body was given up and it became Sandhya, or evening. The Asuras accepted Sandhya as their wife. Evening is the time for lust and passion. Brahma then created the Gandharvas and Apsaras with His body of beauty, which when given up became Moon-light. With his indolence, Brahma created the Bhutas and Pisachas. They were stark naked and had long loose hair. Brahma closed his eyes on seeing them. After a time he gave up his yawning body and the Bhutas and Pishachas took it up. The body that causes secretion is called "Sleep." That which causes delusion is "Madness." Indolence, yawning, sleep and madness all these four were taken up by Bhutas and Pisachas for their body. Brahma knew His powers and He created with His invisible body the Sadhyas and Pitris. By His power of becoming invisible, He created Siddhas and Vidhyadharas and gave them His body with that power. By His reflected image He created the Kinnaras and Kimpurushas, who took up that image for their body. At dawn, they sing in pairs the praise of Brahma. Brahma did not find any progress in creation with all these Bhoga (expansive) bodies. He threw away His body and from His hair the elemental serpents or Nagas were born. After all, Brahma created the Manus and Rishis.