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This (universe) existed in the shape of Darkness, (1) unperceived, destitute of distinctive marks, unattainable by reasoning, unknowable, wholly immersed, as it were, in deep sleep. Then the divine Self-existent (2) indiscernible, (but) making (all) this, the great elements and the rest, discernible, appeared with irresistible (creative) power, dispelling the darkness. He who can be perceived by the internal organ (3) (alone), who is subtle, indiscernible, and eternal, who contains all created beings and is inconceivable, shone forth of his own (will). (4) He, desiring to produce beings of many kinds from his own body, first with a thought created (5) the waters, and placed [his] seed in them. That (seed) became a golden egg, (6) in brilliancy equal to the sun; in that (egg) he himself was born as Brahmin, the progenitor of the whole world. The waters were called naras, (for) the waters are, indeed, the offspring of Nara; as they were his (7) first residence (ayana), he thence is named Narayana . (8) From that (first) cause, which is indiscernible, eternal, and both real and unreal, (9) was produced that male (Purusha), (10) who is famed in this world (under the appellation of) Brahmin. The divine one resided in that egg during a whole year, (11) then he himself by his thought (12) (alone) divided it into two halves; And out of those two halves he formed heaven and earth, between them the middle sphere, the eight points of the horizon, and the eternal abode of the waters. From himself (atmanas) he also drew forth the mind, (13) which is both real and unreal, likewise from the mind egoism, (14) which possesses the function of self-consciousness (and is) lordly: Moreover, the great one, (15) the soul, (16) and all products affected by the three qualities, (17) and, in their order, the five organs which perceive the objects of sensation. (18) But, joining minute particles even of those six, (19) which possess measureless power, with particles of himself he created all beings.