These eleven Rudras are called by name of
Vikara-Purushas. The Rudras, the (eight) Prakritis, and the several
celestial Rishis, having started into life, approached Brahman with the
object of upholding the universe and its operations. Addressing the
Grandsire, they said, We have been created, O holy one, by thee, O thou
of great puissance. Tell each of us, O Grandsire, the respective
jurisdiction we shall be vested with. What particular jurisdictions have
been created by thee for supervising the different affairs? We, each,
should be endued with what kind of consciousness and shall take charge of
which of these? Do thou ordain also unto each of us the measure of
strength that we are to have for discharging the duties of our respective
jurisdictions.' Thus addressed by them, the great god replied unto them
in the following way.
"Brahman said, You have done well, ye deities, in speaking to me of this
matter. Blessed be you all! I was thinking of this very subject that has
engaged your attention. How should the three worlds be upheld and kept
agoing? How should your strength and mine be utilized towards that end?
Let all of us, leaving this place, repair to that unmanifest and foremost
of Beings who is the witness of the world, for seeking his protection. He
will tell us what is for our good. After this, those deities and Rishis,
with Brahman, proceeded to the northern shores of the Ocean of milk,
desirous of doing good to the three worlds. Arrived there, they began to
practise those austere penances that are declared by Brahman in the
Vedas.
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