From Vasudeva, Sankarshana emerges. From Sankarshana, Pradyumna appears and from Pradyumna, originates Aniruddha
The illustrious Vasudeva is kshetrajna and possesses no qualities in his soul. When that illustrious one is born in any creature, he is known as the lord Samkarshana. Pradyumna is said to be generated from the mind and is born from Samkarshana. Aniruddha is generated from Pradyumna and is consciousness, or Maheshvara. Everything in the universe, mobile and immobile, is generated from him.
- 326, Moksha Dharma parva, Mahabharata.
Vasudeva
He is known as Vasudeva. He is the eternal paramatman. O Narada! Behold the greatness and power of that god. He is never touched by good and bad deeds. Sattva, rajas and tamas are said to be the qualities. These exist in all bodies and roam around there. Though these qualities are enjoyed, kshetrajna does not enjoy them. He is without qualities. He is free from the qualities. He is the creator of qualities. He is superior to the qualities.
There is nothing that is superior to the eternal Purusha. There is no creation in the universe, mobile or immobile, that is eternal. The only single exception is the eternal Purusha Vasudeva. The immensely powerful Vasudeva is in the atmans of all creatures.
- 326, Moksha Dharma parva, Mahabharata.
Sankarshana
That jivatman is also known as the lord Shesha or Samkarshana. Using his own deeds, the one who arises from this is known as Sanatkumara. When all creatures are destroyed, it is into him that they merge.
- 326, Moksha Dharma parva, Mahabharata.
Pradyumna
The mind of all creatures is known as Pradyumna. It is from him that the the doer and cause and effect arise.
- 326, Moksha Dharma parva, Mahabharata.
Aniruddha
Everything in the universe, mobile and immobile, is generated from Aniruddha. He is also known as Ishana and he manifests himself through all his deeds.
- 326, Moksha Dharma parva, Mahabharata.
By the fourth, the Aniruddha (for of) Narayana, all worlds have come to be. This (part of) Narayana created Prakriti (Matter) for making the worlds.
- Mudgala Upanishad of Rigveda.
Brahma is created by Aniruddha
Brahma, the one who is born from the lotus, results from Aniruddha. All mobile and immobile creatures are created by Brahma. Know that this repeatedly happens in several kalpas.
- 326, Moksha Dharma parva, Mahabharata.