Hindu Mythology: Creation of the Vedic Universe 2.0 Part #2

     With the five elements at hand, Brahma set to work creating the universe. He held out his hands and calmed the harsh winds and the waves of the ocean. He then tore his lotus into three parts. With each parts he made the heavens, the earth, and the sky between them. Bellow them, was the underworld, where demons, spirits, monsters, serpents and Nagas (snake-people) lived.
     Indra killed a demon named Puloman and married his daughter Shachi, who is a form of Shakti. She became his queen and she and Indra ruled the heavens. Brahma also created Surya, the sun god; Chandra, the moon god; and the Nakshatra, who were the stars and constellations.
     Brahma then created the seven sages: Vashishta, Mareech, Atri, Angira, Pulaha, Gratu, and Pulastya. They were tasked with creating mantras, and spreading religion, devotion, knowledge, and good virtues amongst humanity. All seven sages then departed to their abodes. Then from his heart, Brahma created a handsome man and a beautiful woman. Brahma named the man Kama and the woman Sandhya. Kamadeva was tasked him with spreading love and desire amongst all living creatures. Kamadeva is literally the Vedic Cupid. Sandhya was tasked with spreading the knowledge of yagnas and prayers on the earth. She then departed to the home of Brahma rishi. Kamadeva flew off on his parrot vehicle. Brahma then created Vasant, the god of spring. He was tasked with accompanying Kamadeva and spreading the beauty of nature in the form of spring.
     In the previous lifetime of Brahma, there was a Gandharva named Upabarhana, who was respected for his good looks. Unfortunately, his beauty and power made him arrogant. Once the demigods were having a festival and Upabarhana came there with tons of women and foolishly sang random songs while the demigods sang prayers and bhajans (religious songs). The Prajapatis (sons of Brahma), got up and cursed him to be born in a low-caste family and have no good looks in his next life. Hence, in his next life, he was born as the son of a maidservant.
     Him and his mother once served some great devotees and their knowledge and devotion entranced him. After his mother died, he meditated until Vishnu appeared before him. Vishnu gave him a vina and told him to preach devotion wherever he went in the next universe. Henceforth, in the next universe, he was re-created by Brahma as the famous Narada Muni. He became a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and was tasked with travelling the three worlds and spreading religion. Narada had no concerns for the physical world and encouraged living creatures to not get married and not to have children. Since this was the opposite of what Brahma wanted, Brahma became angry at Narada. He cursed him to never stop wandering and that he would live until Lord Narayana goes back to sleep. Narada Muni became very restless and so enjoys going around, causing jealous, quarrels, anger, and all kinds of trouble. You will see more of Narada Muni's mischievousness throughout many stories.
     Then Brahma created a man and a woman. The man was named Swayambhuva Manu and the woman was named Shatarupa. Brahma told them to get married and give birth to all living things. So they got married and gave birth to all humans, then they turned into all different kinds of animal couples and gave birth to all animals on the earth.
     In watching the universe he had created, Brahma had forgotten to create the chief Prajapati Daksha. Daksha's soul was about to burst from Brahma's toe. In pain, Daksha's soul cried out to Brahma. So Brahma finally created Daksha, who then left in a huff, unhappy that he wasn't created first. Daksha married Prasuti, or Veerni, daughter of Swayambhuva Manu, also known as Prajapati Veeran.
     Brahma then created the four Kumaras and asked them to expand the population, but they were sages, and didn't listen to their father. This made Brahma angry and he arched his eyebrows in anger. from the arch came Rudra, the roaring god of storms and hunting. He is known as a form of Lord Shiva. He was born in an Ardhanareshwar for. He split himself into male and female forms. From the male form came eleven beings, both gentle and fierce. They were the eleven Rudras. From the female form came eleven beings who married the Rudras. They were the Rudranis. The Rudras, also known as the Vamadevas, began to create things such as lightning, storms, thunder, rain, rainbows, and medicines (which is kind of weird), all of which are immortal, not mortal, like Brahma wanted. So, the Rudras stopped their creation spree.
     Remember when Prajapati shamefully chased after Ushas and how the gods planned to punish him? Well, they sent Rudra to go and hunt after Prajapati, who was still in the form of a stag. So, Rudra took his bow and arrow and chased Prajapati all over the earth. Finally, Rudra managed to shoot him with an arrow and send him flying into the sky. Prajapati became the constellation Capricorn and Ushas was free to return to the sky, but she never came until night time was finished so that she would be far away from Prajapati.
     Then, after creating all living creatures, Brahma tasked Yama Raj, the ruler of the dead, to also keep track of the deeds of all living and unborn creatures. the task proved too much for Yama Raj and he began to make wrong decisions about dead souls. So, Brahma meditated for 11 thousand years, hoping to find some answers. When he opened his eyes, he saw a god holding a pen and an ink pot. Brahma named him Chitragupta. He was tasked with helping Yama Raj by keeping record of all good and bad deeds of all living and unborn creatures.

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