Pralaya

In Hindu mythology, the dissolution of
the universe that comes at the end of the
kalpa or Day of Brahma. Pralaya is considered the “night” of Brahma, and lasts
for the same amount of time as the day
(by one estimate, 4.32 billion years). The
approach of this “night” is preceded by
the destruction of the earth, first by fire,
and then by torrential rains that transform the entire planet into one vast
ocean. During this time the only living
thing is the god Vishnu, who reclines on
the back of his serpent vehicle Shesha,
deep in a yogic trance. When the time
again comes for creation, a lotus sprouts
from his navel, which opens to reveal
Brahma, and the world begins anew.