Cosmogonies (myth of creation): Genesis 1 (first book of Hebrew bible): 1.

. In the beginning god (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth (cosmos) 2. The earth (cosmos) was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep(tehom)- chaos and the spirit (wind) of god (elohim) was moving over the face of the waters (mayim) [problem: waters- pre-existent matter- compare with laws of manu- watersDevi- womb] 3. And god said Let there be light and there was light 4. And saw that the light was good (God created by his word- out of nothing) 5. Light- day; darkness- night *3-5 was 2nd theory 6. And god said Let there be a firmament (dome) in the midst of the waters and let it (the firmament) separate the waters from the waters *separating and shaping pre-existent matter] 7. And god made the firmament and separated the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament. And it was so 8. And god called the firmament heaven 9. And god said Let the waters under the heavens be gathered togetherand let the dry land appear and it was so 10. God called the dry land earth *theory 1- creating out of pre-existent matter (ex. potter molding chaotic clump of claywhich represents pre-existent matter- and shapes it into a pot) *theory 2- creating out of words alone -god is transcendant (separate; cant be known) but god is immanent (indwelling) in his revelation -concept of god is monotheistic- one god -genesis theory of time is linear -compare with hindu cyclical time- samsara cycle of creation/ destruction repeats infinitelyno beginning nor end of time Laws of Manu chapter 1: 1. he (ishvara= lord), desirous to create the various creatures (cosmos) from his own body and havind concentrated first created the waters and put his seed into them 2. That seed became the golden egg, like the sun in splendor. Within that egg the cosmos was bornand within that egg was born brahma (lesser god), the first born of creation -sanskrit: Brahma (masculine, singular) creator withing the cosmos not the bragman (nev. Sing)= the absolute nor brahman= priest 1. ishvara 2. devi 3. brahma From reading (since the notes are really confusing):

1. The great sages approached Manu, who was seated with a collected mind, and, having duly worshipped him, spoke as follows: 2. deign, divine one, to declare to us precisely and in due order the sacred laws of each of the (four chief) castes (varna) and of the intermediate ones 3. for thou, o lord, alone knowest the purport, (i.e.) the rites, and the knowledge of the soul, (taught) in this whole ordinance of the Self-existent (Svayambhu), which is unknowable and unfathomable 4. He, whose power is measureless, being thus asked by the high-minded great sages, duly honoured them, and answered, 'Listen!' 5. This (universe) existed in the shape of Darkness, unperceived, destitute of distinctive marks, unattainable by reasoning, unknowable, wholly immersed, as it were, in deep sleep. 6. Then the divine Self-existent (Svayambhu, himself) indiscernible, (but) making (all) this, the great elements and the rest, discernible, appeared with irresistible (creative) power, dispelling the darkness. 7. He who can be perceived by the internal organ (alone), who is subtle, indiscernible, and eternal, who contains all created beings and is inconceivable, shone forth of his own (will). 8. He, desiring to produce beings of many kinds from his own body, first with a thought created the waters, and placed his seed in them. 9. That (seed) became a golden egg, in brilliancy equal to the sun; in that (egg) he himself was born as Brahman, the progenitor of the whole world. 11. From that (first) cause, which is indiscernible, eternal, and both real and unreal, was produced that male (Purusha), who is famed in this world (under the appellation of) Brahman. 12. The divine one resided in that egg during a whole year, then he himself by his thought (alone) divided it into two halves; 13. And out of those two halves he formed heaven and earth, between them the middle sphere, the eight points of the horizon, and the eternal abode of the waters. 51. When he whose power is incomprehensible, had thus produced the universe and men, he disappeared in himself, repeatedly suppressing one period by means of the other. 52. When that divine one wakes, then this world stirs; when he slumbers tranquilly, then the universe sinks to sleep. 53. But when he reposes in calm sleep, the corporeal beings whose nature is action, desist from their actions and mind becomes inert.

57. Thus he, the imperishable one, by (alternately) waking and slumbering, incessantly revivifies and destroys this whole movable and immovable (creation).