FROM the earliest time, the whole of this world, being filled up and overflowed by a great rain, and being completely destroyed, was in darkness. There were neither men, nor living beings, nor anything whatever. During the time while it was in this state, Great Vishnu thought, “In what manner, having lowered the water, should the earth be established ?” Having thought this, Great Vishnu went to the God Saman. Having gone there, he asked at the hand of the God Saman, “What is the way to establish this earth ?” The God Saman replied, “There is no one among us {gods] who can establish this earth.” Thereupon the God Great Vishnu asked, “Then who is able to do it ?” The God Saman said, "You must go to the residence of Rāhu ; he can do it.” After that, the God Great Vishnu went to the abode of Rāhu, and spoke to Rāhu, the Asura Chief 1 : “Rāhu, Asura Chief, our residence has been swallowed up by water ; on account of that can even you make us an earth ?” Then Rāhu, the Asura Chief, said, " Countless beings having gone to the world of Brahmā (i.e., having been destroyed in the water), how can I descend into the water which is there ? ” The God Great Vishnu asked, “In what way, then, can you make the earth ?” Rāhu told him to put a lotus seed into the water. [Page 48] After that, the God Great Vishnu, having returned to this world, placed a lotus seed in the water. Having placed it there, in seven days the lotus seed sprouted. Then the God Vishnu again went to the dwelling-place of Rāhu. Having gone there, he spoke to Rāhu, the Asura Chief: “The lotus plant has now sprouted.” Afterwards Rāhu arose, and came with the God Vishnu to this world. Having made ready to descend into the water, he asked Great Vishnu, “What thing am I to bring up from the bottom of the water ?” Then Great Vishnu said, “I do not want any [special] thing ; bring a handful of sand.” Rāhu, having said “Hā” (Yes), descending along that lotus stalk proceeded until he met with the earth. Having descended to the earth in seven days, taking a handful of sand he returned to the surface again in seven days more. Having come there, he gave the handful of sand into the hand of the God Great Vishnu. After it was given, taking it and squeezing it in his hand, the God Great Vishnu placed it on the water. Having placed it there the God Great Vishnu made the resolution : “This water having dried up, may the Earth be created.” Afterwards, that small quantity of sand not going to the bottom, but turning and turning round on the surface of the water, the water began to diminish. Thus, in that manner, in three months and three-quarters of the moon, the water having diminished, the earth was made. After it was formed, this world was there in darkness for a long time. [After the light had appeared], the God Great Vishnu thought: “We must make men.” Having gone to the God Saman he said, “What is the use of being the owner of this world when it is in this state ? We must make