Rig Veda: A Novel

In ancient India, before the existence of the world as we know it, there was only darkness and chaos. Then, from the breathless One Thing, warmth was born and Desire arose. The sages who searched with their heart’s thought discovered that the existent’s kinship lay within the non-existent. The Puruṣa, with a thousand heads, eyes, and feet, filled the space on every side of the earth. He was all that yet had been and all that is to be, the Lord of Immortality.

From Puruṣa, Virāj was born, and from Virāj, Puruṣa was born again. The Gods prepared a great sacrifice with Puruṣa as their offering. From this sacrifice, the creatures of the air and animals were formed, along with horses, cattle, goats, and sheep. The Brahman was his mouth, of both his arms was the Rājanya made, his thighs became the Vaiśya, and from his feet, the Śūdra was produced. The Moon was gendered from his mind, and from his eye, the Sun had birth; Indra and Agni from his mouth were born, and Vāyu from his breath.

The Gods bound Puruṣa as their victim in a great general sacrifice. From this sacrifice, Ṛcas and Sāma-hymns were born, along with spells and charms. Seven fencing-sticks had he, thrice seven layers of fuel were prepared. The Mighty Ones attained the height of heaven, where the Sādhyas, Gods of old, are dwelling.

Visvakarman rose from Hiranyagarbha in the beginning and created both worlds submerged in fatness. He fixed and held up this earth and heaven. The Lord of death, whose shade is life immortal, became Sole Ruler of all the moving world that breathes and slumbers. He is the God of gods, and none beside him.

Agni, the chosen Priest, is the God, minister of sacrifice, and the hotar, most lavish of wealth. Through Agni, man obtains wealth and plenty waxing day by day, most rich in heroes, glorious. He brings hitherward the Gods and verily goes to them with the perfect sacrifice which he encompassest about.

In this epic tale of ancient India, the reader is taken on a journey through the creation of the world as we know it. The story is full of mythical beings and powerful Gods who shape the world with their sacrifices and offerings. The main character is Puruṣa, who embodies all that exists and is to be. The conflict arises from the chaos and darkness before creation, and the resolution comes from the sacrifice of Puruṣa. The story follows a strong cause-and-effect pattern that takes the reader on a journey through the creation of the world.