The Manusmriti, an ancient Indian text, outlines a creation myth that begins with the universe in a state of complete darkness, invisible and unknowable. This primordial state is described as being formless and void, a cosmic darkness from which the Swayambhu, or the self-originated being, emerges. The Swayambhu, driven by a desire to create, first manifests water, the elemental substance.
In this primordial water, Swayambhu places his seed, which
leads to the formation of a golden egg. This egg is radiant, shining with the
brilliance of a thousand suns, symbolizing the birth of immense cosmic
potential. From this golden egg, Brahma, the creator god, is born. Brahma
represents the individualized form of the Supreme Self, who is otherwise known
as Narayana. The term "Narayana" signifies the Supreme Being, as
"Nara" refers to water, and thus Narayana is the one who moves in the
waters.
After the passage of one year from Brahma's perspective, the
golden egg splits into two halves, creating the division of the cosmos into
heaven (the upper realm) and earth (the lower realm). The space in between
these two realms forms the sky, and it includes the eight cardinal directions
along with the surrounding sea, symbolizing the structured order of the
universe.
Following this cosmic separation, a process of further
evolution takes place. This includes the emergence of "mahat," the
great principle or cosmic intelligence, which is fundamental to the structure
of the universe. From mahat arises "ahamkara," the principle of
individuality or ego, which gives rise to the sense of self. Subsequently,
"manas," or the mind, comes into being, followed by the
"tanmatras," which are the subtle elements corresponding to the
senses. These developments lead to the formation of the physical and
psychological aspects of life, completing the structure of the universe and the
beings within it.
In summary, the Manu Smriti's account of creation is a
detailed cosmological narrative that describes the emergence of the universe
from a state of primordial darkness through a series of divine actions and
principles, culminating in the structured cosmos inhabited by living beings.