Brahma’s Creation

When Narayana slept on the water, a lotus sprouted from his navel. Varaha told the earth that Brahma emerged from this lotus. Since padma means lotus and yoni means origin, Brahma is also known as Padmayoni. Narayana instructed Brahma to begin the act of creation.

Through his mental powers, Brahma created five sons known as Sanaka. Sanatana, Sanandana, Kratu and Sanatkumara. But they showed no interest in the work of creation. They devoted themselves wholeheartedly to prayers and meditation.

Brahma was extremely disappointed. He was however consoled by Narayana and began difficult meditation so that he might carry on with the task of creation. When Brahma attained nothing as a result of all this meditation, he was overcome by sorrow and anger. From this anger was born a wailing infant named Rudra. (The word rud means to cry. Rudra is identified with Shiva.) Brahma instructed Rudra to create. But Rudra also went off to perform meditation.