According to the Vedas, the progenitors of the universe are often described as Prajapatis, which means “lords of creation” or “progenitors.” These Prajapatis are believed to be the original beings who participated in the act of cosmic creation.

The specific names and roles of the Prajapatis can vary in different Vedic texts. In general, they are considered the first beings who emerged from the Supreme Reality and played a crucial role in shaping and populating the universe.

One of the prominent Prajapatis mentioned in the Vedas is Brahma. Brahma is often described as the creator deity, who brings forth the universe and all living beings. He is believed to have emerged from the cosmic golden egg (Hiranyagarbha) or lotus that represents the source of creation. Other Prajapatis mentioned in the Vedas include Daksha, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Marichi, Atri, and Vashishtha, among others. These Prajapatis are considered the progenitors of various lineages and are associated with specific roles and responsibilities in the cosmic order.

In the Rigveda, the hymn 10.121 is often cited as one of the references that mention the concept of creation and the progenitors of the universe. This hymn, known as the “Hymn of Creation” or the “Nasadiya Sukta,” contemplates the origins of the universe and the mysterious process of creation.

While the hymn does not explicitly mention specific names of the Prajapatis, it explores the nature of existence, the origin of the universe, and the forces that brought about its manifestation. Here is a translation of a portion of Rigveda 10.121:

Then was not non-existent nor existent: there was no realm of air, no sky beyond it. What covered in, and where? and what gave shelter? Was water there, unfathomed depth of water? Death was not then, nor was there aught immortal: no sign was there, the day’s and night’s divider. That One Thing, breathless, breathed by its own nature: apart from it was nothing whatsoever.

This hymn reflects on the profound questions of existence, creation, and the origins of the universe. While it doesn’t provide specific names of the Prajapatis, it establishes the concept of the Supreme Reality from which the universe emerges and contemplates the intricate nature of creation.