EXTRACT FROM THE VISHNU PURAFA.
(translated hy H. WUson).
 

" Brahm^, Datsha, time, and all creatures are the four energies
of Hari which are tlie causes of creation. Vishwu, Manu and
the rest, time, and all creatures are the four energies of Vishnu,
which are the causes of duration. Eudra, the destroying fire,
^ime, and all creatures are the four energies of JanS,rdana that
are exerted for. universal dissolution. In the beginning and
the duration of the world, until the period of its end, creation
is the -work of Brahm^, the patriarchs, and living animals.
BrahmS, creates in the beginning. Then the patriarchs beget
progeny; and then animals incessantly multiply their kinds.
But Brahm4 is not the active agent, in creation, independent
of tim.e y neither are the patriarchs, nor living animals. So, in
the periods of creation and of dissolution, the four portions of
the god of gods are equally essential. 'Whatever 0 Brahman,
is engendered by any living being, the body of Hari is co¬
operative in the birth of tliat being. So, whatever destroys
any existing thing, movable or stationary, at any time, is the
destrqying form of JanArdana, as Rudra. Thus, Jan^rdana is
the creator, the preserver, aud the destroyer of the whole
world—^being three-fold in the several seasons of creation,
preservation, and destruction ; according to his assumption of
the three qualities. But his highest glory is detached from
all qualities. For the four-fold essence of the Supreme Spirit
is composed of true wisdom, pervades all things, is only to be
appreciated   by itself, and admits of no similitude."