PURUSHA hath a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, a thousand feet.

Pervading earth on every side he fills a space ten fingers broad.

2Purusha is in truth this All, what hath been and what yet shall be; Lord, too, of immortality which waxes greater still by food.

3So mighty in his grandeur; yea, greater than this is Purusha. All creatures are one fourth of him, three fourths eternal life in heaven.

4With three fourths Purusha rose up: one fourth of him again was here. Thence he moved forth to every side over what eats not and what eats.

5From him Virâj was born; again Purusha from Virâj was born. When born, he spread to west and east beyond the boundaries of earth.

6From that great General Sacrifice the dripping fat was gathered up. He formed the creatures of the air and animals both wild and tame.

7From that great General Sacrifice Richas and Sâma hymns were born: Therefrom were spells and charms produced; the Yajus had its birth from it.

8From it were horses born, from it all cattle with two rows of teeth From it were generated kine, from it were goats and sheep produced.

9They balmed as victim on the grass Purusha born in earliest time. With him the Deities and all Sâdhyas and Rishis sacrificed.

10When they divided Purusha how many portions did they make? What was his mouth? what were his arms? what are the names of thighs and feet?

11The Brâhman was his mouth, of both his arms was the Râjanya made. His thighs became the Vaisya, from his feet the Sûdra was produced.

12The Moon was gendered from his mind, and from his eye the Sun had birth; Vâyu and Prâna from his ear, and from his mouth was Agni born.

13Forth from his navel came mid-air; the sky was fashioned from his head; Earth from his feet, and from his ear the Quarters. Thus they formed the worlds.

14When Gods performed the sacrifice with Purusha as offering Spring was the butter, Autumn the oblation, Summer was the wood.

15Then seven were his enclosing-sticks, his kindling-brands were three times seven, When Gods, performing sacrifice, bound as their victim Purusha.

16Gods, sacrificing, sacrificed the victim: these were the earliest holy ordinances. The Mighty Ones attained the height of heaven, there where the Sâdhyas, Gods of old, are dwelling.

17In the beginning he was formed, collected from waters, earth, and Visvakarman’s essence. Fixing the form thereof Tvashtar proceedeth. This was at first the mortal’s birth and godhead.

18I know this mighty Purusha whose colour is like the Sun, beyond the reach of darkness. He only who knows him leaves Death behind him. There is no path save this alone to travel.

19In the womb moves Prajâpati: he, never becoming born, is born in sundry figures. The wise discern the womb from which he springeth. In him alone stand