The Kathasaritasagara narrates the story of creation
associated with Shiva. Story of creation in Shaivism is different from that associated
with Vaishnavism. Kathasaritasagara states once Shiva was asked in Ujjain as to why He loves
skulls and cremation grounds.
Shiva then states the story of Him plucking the head of
Brahma and late due to remorse deciding to roam with the skull.
But before narrating the incident, Shiva narrates the story
of creation.
At the end of a cycle of creation or Kalpa, the earth is
covered with water. Then to start the new cycle of creation, Shiva cuts open
his thigh and drops a blood in the water which turns into an egg.
A man appears break opening the egg – He is referred as Pitamaha,
the supreme father (Brahma). Shiva then creates Prakriti, the female principle.
They together then created Prajapatis, progenitors. They
then gave rise to praja, living beings.