Hindu Creation Myth
The Hindu creation myth has some links to other creation myths in that it begins with a watery world of nothingness. There was a large expanse of ocean and on the water floated a giant cobra. Within the endless coils of the giant snake lay Lord Vishnu. The large snake was the protector of Vishnu and watched over him as he slept. Lord Vishnu remained sleeping because everything was so quiet and peaceful.
Then there came a humming sound, Ohm. The sound grew louder and spread, moving through the emptiness and throbbing with energy. The humming sound meant that night was over and it was time for Vishnu to awaken. When dawn broke, a magnificent lotus flower grew from Vishnu’s navel.
From the center of the lotus flower emerged Brahma, the servant of Vishnu. Vishnu spoke to Brahma and commanded him to create the world. Then a wind blew over the waters and caused Vishnu and the snake to disappear, leaving only Brahma. Brahma stayed alone in the lotus flower floating upon the turbulent sea. Then Brahma lifted his arms and calmed the seas and the wind.
Next Brahma split the lotus blossom into three pieces. With one he created the heavens, with another he created the earth and with the third he made the skies. From his buttocks, he created demons and from his body he created the darkness. Donning a new body, Brahma then brought the gods from his face and then cast off that body as well to create light. By taking on more bodies Brahma would create all the things that inhabited the world. His powers of concentration created humans, snakes and birds. Goats were brought from his mouth, sheep from his chest and cows from his stomach. Horses were made from his feet and the other animals were made from his arms. The hairs on his body were used to create the plants.