author - "Kisari Mohan Ganguli"

ishnu, beneficent and the beneficence itself, worthy of allpreference, pure and immaculate; who is Hari, the ruler of the faculties,the guide of all things moveable and immoveable; I will declare the sacredthoughts of the illustrious sage Vyasa, of marvellous deeds and worshippedhere by all. Some bards have already published this history, some are nowteaching it, and others, in like manner, will hereafter promulgate it uponthe earth. It is a great source of knowledge, established throughout thethree regions of the world. It is possessed by the twice-born both indetailed and compendious forms. It is the delight of the learned for beingembellished with elegant expressions, conversations human and divine, anda variety of poetical measures.'"

In this world, when it was destitute of brightness and light, andenveloped all around in total darkness, there came into being, as theprimal cause of creation, a mighty egg, the one inexhaustible seed of allcreated beings. It is called Mahadivya, and was form