Chapter 2

1 In a man, this being first becomes an embryo as that seed. This is the vigor gathered from all his limbs. In himself he bears his very self. When he pours it into a woman, he brings it to birth. This is his first birth.

2 It becomes part of the woman's own self, like a limb of her own. Therefore it does not harm her. She nurtures this self of his that has come into her.

3 She who nurtures must herself be nurtured. The woman bears him as an embryo. He nurtures the child from the very beginning, before birth. In nurturing the child before birth, he nurtures his own self, for the continuance of these worlds. In this way these worlds continue. This is his second birth.

4 This self of his is put in his place for the performance of good deeds. Then that other self of his, its work accomplished and its age advanced, departs. Departing from here, he is born again. This is his third birth.

5 This was spoken by the seer: “While still in the womb, I came to know all the births of these gods. A hundred iron fortresses guarded me. Then, a hawk, I flew out with speed.” Vamadeva spoke thus while still lying in the womb.

6 Knowing in this way, he rose from the breaking of this body, attained all desires in that heavenly world, and became immortal; he became immortal.

1 This being first exists in a man as an embryo, in the form of semen. The semen is the strength collected from every part of his body. He carries his own self inside himself. When he releases it into a woman, he causes it to be born. That is his first birth.

2 It becomes part of the woman herself, just as one of her own limbs is part of her. That is why it does not hurt her. She cares for this self of his that has entered her.

3 The woman who provides this care must also be cared for. She carries him as an embryo. The father cares for the boy right from the start, before he is born. In caring for the boy before birth, he is caring for himself, so that these worlds can continue. This is how the worlds are kept going. That is his second birth.

4 This self of his takes his place to carry out good actions. His other self has finished its work and grown old, and then it leaves. As he leaves here, he is born again. That is his third birth.

5 A seer spoke of this: “Even while I was in the womb, I learned all the ways these gods are born. A hundred iron strongholds guarded me. Then I flew out at speed as a hawk.” Vamadeva said this while he was still lying in the womb.

6 With this knowledge, he rose up when this body broke apart. In that heavenly world he fulfilled every desire and became immortal. He became immortal.