Krishjan

Chapter 1 — First Chapter

Aitareya

4 Shloka • Translation Only

Hariḥ Om. In the beginning, the Ātman (Self) alone existed. Nothing else whatsoever was active or manifest. He reflected: “Let Me create the worlds.”

He created these worlds: Ambhas, Marīci, Mara, and Āpaḥ. Ambhas is the world beyond heaven; heaven forms its support. Marīci is the region of the rays—the intermediate space (Antarikṣa). Mara is the earthly world, the realm of mortals. Āpaḥ are the waters that lie below the earth.

He reflected: “These worlds have now been created. Let Me create the guardians of the worlds.” Then, from the waters, He brought forth a Puruṣa (Cosmic Person) and shaped him into a living form.

He contemplated and energized that Cosmic Person. As he was thus energized, his mouth opened, as an egg breaks open. From the mouth arose speech (Vāk), and from speech arose Agni (Fire). The nostrils opened; from the nostrils arose Prāṇa, and from Prāṇa arose Vāyu (Air). The eyes opened; from the eyes arose sight, and from sight arose the Sun (Āditya). The ears opened; from the ears arose hearing, and from hearing arose the directions (Diśas). The skin opened; from the skin arose hair, and from the hair arose the herbs and trees. The heart opened; from the heart arose the mind, and from the mind arose the Moon (Candra). The navel opened; from the navel arose Apāna, and from Apāna arose Death (Mṛtyu). The generative organ opened; from it arose seed (Retas), and from seed arose the waters (Āpaḥ).