16. He then had the conception (Sankalpa) of the world in his own imagination, and the same assumed a visible and solid form by the power of his will, called the conceptional or conceived world. (Sankalpasrí). 17. He conceived at first luminous idea of light, which having assumed a visible form spread on all sides, as a creeping plant is outstretched all about in autumn. (Light was the first work of creation). 18. The rays of this light pierced all sides like threads of gold; they shone and spread themselves both above and below. 19. Concealed amidst this light, the lotus-born Hiranyagarbha, conceived in his mind a figure like his luminous form, and produced it as the four faced Brahmá. 20. Then the sun sprung forth from that light, and shone as a globe of gold amidst his world encircling beams. 21. He held the locks of his flaming hair on his head, which flashed as fire all around him; and filled the sphere of heaven with heat and light. 22. The most intelligent Brahmá, produced afterwards some other luminous forms from portions of that light, which proceeded from it like the waves of the ocean (and these are thence called the Maríchis or rays, who were the first patriarchs of other created beings). 23. These most potent and competent beings, were also possessed of their concepts and will, and they produced in a moment the figures as they thought of and willed. 24. They conceived the forms of various other beings also, which they produced one after the other, as they desired and willed. 25. Then did Brahmá bring to his recollection the eternal vedas and the many ceremonial rites, which he established as laws in his house of this world. 26. Having taken the gigantic body of Brahma, and the extensive form of the mind—manas, he produced the visible world as his own offspring—Santati. (Brahmá means _brihat_—great; and _santate_ derived from the root tan. Latin—_leoreo_ means continuation of race). 27. He stretched the seas and mountains, and made the trees and upper worlds. He raised the Meru on the surface of the earth, and all the forests and groves upon it. 28. It was he who ordained happiness and misery, birth and death and disease and decay; and he created the passions and feelings of living beings, under their threefold divisions of satva, rajas and tamas. 29. Whatever has been wrought by the hands (faculties) of the mind of Brahma before, the same continues to be still perceived by our deluded vision. 30. He gave the mind and laws to all beings, and makes the worlds anew as they are situated in his mind. 31. It is error, that has given rise to the erroneous conception of the eternity of the world, whereas it is the conception of the mind alone that creates the ideal forms. (The world is neither material nor substantial, but a conceptual and ideal creation of the mind).