) and the Selfborn
Manu, who is the eighth in the enumeration, constituted original
Prakriti. These eight uphold the universe, and it was these eight that
promulgated the treatise adverted to. With their senses and minds under
complete control, and ever devoted to Yoga, these eight ascetics, with
concentrated souls, are fully conversant with the Past, the Present and
the Future, and are devoted to the religion of Truth.--This is good this
is Brahma,--this is highly beneficial,--reflecting in their minds in this
way, those Rishis created the worlds, and the science of morality and
duty that governs those worlds. In that treatise the authors discoursed
on Religion and Wealth and Pleasure, and subsequently on Emancipation
also. They also laid down in it the various restrictions and limitations
intended for the Earth as also for Heaven. They composed that treatise
after having worshipped with penances the puissant and illustrious
Narayana called also Hari, for a thousand celestial years, in company
with many other Rishis. Gratified with their penances and worship,
Narayana commanded the goddess of speech, viz. Saraswati, to enter into
the person of those Rishis. The goddess, for the good of the worlds did
what she was ordered. In consequence of the entrance of the goddess of
speech into their persons, those Rishis, well conversant with penances,
succeeded in composing that foremost of treatises in respect of vocables,
import, and reason.[1797] Having composed that treatise sanctified with
the syllable Om, the Rishis first of all read it to Narayana who became
highly pleased with what he heard.
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