The present chapter deals with the remaining Kalpas, viz. (29) Shveta lohita, (30) Rakta, (31) Pitavasas, (32) Sita, and (33) Vishvarupa.
One wonders how to reconcile this list with the statement in supra 7.30 which limits the number of Kalpas to ten,
The sages said:
1. O great sage, all this is wonderful. The secret of the Kalpas and the settlement of mantras have been narrated by you.
2. There is nothing in the three worlds which is not known to you. Hence please narrate in details the number of Kalpas, to us.
Vayu said:
3. I shall explain to you the number of Kalpas precisely and what constitutes the foremost Yugas and years to the supreme god Brahma.
4. One thousand (human) Kalpas constitute a year of god Brahma. Eight thousand such years make a Yuga of Brahma.
5-6. A thousand Yugas constitute a Savana of Prajapati. Six thousand Savanas constitute the period of Brahma’s existence. I shall narrate their number later on in due course.
7. I shall now mention in order the names of other Kalpas beyond the twenty-eight Kalpas already enumerated by me, with their names.
8. Know also the names and origins of the Mantras in the other Kalpas beyond Rathantara and Bruhat Saman.
9-10. The twenty-ninth Kalpa should be known as Shveta lohita. During the period of this Kalpa, while Brahma was engaged in supreme meditation, a son of great splendour resembling the Fire-god was born to him. He had white turban, white garland and white garments and a tuft.
11. His face was dreadful, extremely fierce and very much awe-inspiring. It was reddish white. He was blazing with a refulgent body. He had a huge mouth and a white form.
12-13. On seeing him, god Brahma, the glorious Purusha with faces all round and the grandfather of the world, paid obeisance to that Kumara (youth), the supporter of the world, the omnipresent great Lord, the god of gods who was the refulgent ancient Purusha, the eternal universal soul of Yogins.
14. God Brahma embraced him to his bosom-the great god (Mahadeva), the supreme soul, the ruler of all, who was newly-born (Sadyojata).1 He, then, meditated upon Brahman, knowing him, the ruler of Devas. The Lord of the world became delighted and burst into laughter.
1. Sadyojata is one of forms (also faces) of Shiva. This appeared in Shveta lohita Kalpa. As in his incarnations, these forms also had four sons or disciples.
15. Then, from his side were manifested noble-souled, white complexioned sages refulgent with the splendour of Brahman, bedecked with white garlands and unctions (probably with holy ashes-Bhasman).
16. They were Sunanda, Nandaka, Vishvananda and Nandana, the noble-souled disciples by whom Brahman was then surrounded.
17. In front of him, the great sage Shveta of brilliant white complexion, endowed with great splendour was born. Nara was born of him.
18-19. All the sages, engrossed in Pranayama and absorbed (resolutely) in the realization of Brahman became absolved of sins, free from mala (‘bondage’ in Shaivism). Endowed with the splendour of Brahman, they transcend the world of god Brahma, and go to the region of the (supreme) Brahman.
Vayu continued:
20. The thirtieth Kalpa is well-known by the name Rakta where the Being of great splendour assumed red complexion.
21. From Brahma, the supreme god who, being desirous of a son, was engaged in meditation, a boy of great splendour was born. His body was red. He wore red garlands and garments He was red-eyed and valorous.
22. On seeing that boy of red garments, he entered into deep meditation and realised that he was the great lord of the universe.
23. After bowing to him, Brahma became extremely self controlled and meditated on the Vamadeva1 form of Brahman.
1. Vamadeva-another form of Shiva. This too had four sons listed in v. 28 below. This form appeared in the Rakta Kalpa.
24. The great god who was thus meditated upon by Brahma, the Parameshthin, spoke to the grandfather of the world (Brahma), with mind full of affection.
25-26. “O most venerable god! Inasmuch as I was visualized by you with highest devotion and Yoga of meditation while you were meditating with the desire of having a son, you who are endowed with great penance, will realize me, the supreme ruler and supporter of the world, by engaging yourself in meditation in every Kalpa.” Saying so he, Sharva, burst into a boisterous laugh.
27. Then four sons of noble souls were born to him. They shone with pure intellect.
28. They were Viraja, Vivaha, Vishoka and Vishvabhavana. They were all well-versed in the Vedas, equal to Brahma, heroic, diligent and persevering.
29. They wore red clothes, red garlands and unguents. They had smeared red ashes over their bodies. They were ruddy faced and red-eyed.
30-31. Those industrious, noble souls, well-versed in the Vedas, eulogising that Brahman Vamadeva, imparted instructions in piety for showering grace on the people who desired to receive instructions from them. Then at the end of a thousand years, they re-entered Rudra, the eternal great lord.
32-33. Other excellent Brahmanas practising Yoga for their communion with Vamadeva attained the lord, as they are his devotees and attached to him. Becoming sinless and pure and attaining the splendour of Brahman, all of them reach Rudraloka whence there is no return to Samsara.