In the beginning, that One arose—unified, singular, and without a second. It became a mark, a sign of distinction. It grew vast, surpassing all, and became the eldest, the primordial Brahman. From that, austerity was born, and from austerity, truth itself emerged. By this power, He was born. He grew, expanding in greatness, until He became the Great God. As He moved among the gods, He assumed sovereignty, becoming their lord and ruler. He alone became the Vrātya, the solitary wanderer, and took up a bow—none other than the bow of Indra. His belly shone dark, while his back glowed a fiery red. With the darkness, He concealed all that was unpleasant and hostile; with the red, He struck down His enemies. Thus, the knowers of Brahman declare. He rose up and turned toward the east. As He moved, Bṛhat and Rathantara, the Ādityas, and all the gods followed in His wake. Whoever truly understands and declares the Vrātya in this way is united with Bṛhat, Rathantara, the Ādityas, and all the gods, and attains their beloved abode. In the eastern direction, Faith stands as the courtesan, Mitra as the bard, Knowledge as the garment, Day as the turban, Night as the hair, the two green ones, the two wheels, impurity, and jewel; the past and the future run as His coursers, Mind is the path, Mātariśvan and Pavamāna are His path-finders, Wind is His charioteer, the reins are His goad, and Fame and Glory run before Him. Fame and Glory accompany the one who knows thus. He then rose and turned southward. Sacrifice, Sacrificer, Vāmadeva, the sacrificial rite, and cattle followed Him. Whoever knows and declares the Vrātya thus is united with Sacrifice, Vāmadeva, the rite, the sacrificer, and the cattle, and attains their beloved abode. In this southern direction, Dawn is the courtesan, the Mantra the bard, Knowledge the garment, Day the turban, Night the hair, the two green ones, the two wheels, impurity, and jewel; New Moon and Full Moon are the runners, Mind is the path, Mātariśvan and Pavamāna are the path-finders, Wind the charioteer, the reins the goad, and Fame and Glory the forerunners. Fame and Glory go with the one who knows thus. He moved toward the west. Vairūpa, Vairāja, the Waters, and Varuṇa the king followed Him. Whoever speaks of the Vrātya with understanding becomes dear to Vairūpa, Vairāja, the Waters, and Varuṇa, and attains their beloved abode. In the western direction, the courtesan, laughter, the Magadhan, knowledge, clothing, the diadem of day, night as hair, the two green ones, movement, stain, and jewel are present. Day and night are His coursers, Mind is His path, Mātariśvan and Pavamāna are His path-goers, Wind is His charioteer, the reins are His whip, and Fame and Glory run before Him. To the knower, Fame and Glory come. He turned northward. Śyaita, Naudhāsa, the Seven Sages, and Soma the king followed Him. Whoever declares the Vrātya with knowledge is joined to Śyaita, Naudhāsa, the Seven Sages, and Soma, and becomes their beloved abode. In the northern direction, lightning is the courtesan, thunder the Magadhan, knowledge, clothing, the diadem of day, night as hair, the two green ones, movement, stain, and jewel. Heard and renowned are the coursers, Mind is the path, Mātariśvan and Pavamāna the path-goers, Wind the charioteer, the reins the whip, and Fame and Glory the forerunners. To the knower, Fame and Glory come. He stood upright for a year. The gods, seeing Him thus, asked, “Vrātya, why do you stand?” He replied, “Let a seat be brought to Me.” The gods brought Him a seat. Of this seat, summer and spring formed two legs, autumn and the rainy season the other two. Bṛhat and Rathantara were placed at the front, Yajñāyajniya and Vāmadeva at the sides. The Ṛg verses were the forward threads, the Yajus verses the crosswise ones. The Veda became the covering, Brahman the cushion. The Sāma was the seat itself, with the Udgītha as its support. The Vrātya ascended this seat. For Him, the divine beings became the coursers, and intentions, desires, and all creatures served as His attendants. Whoever knows thus, all creatures become his attendants as well. He moved toward the fixed direction, and Earth, fire, herbs, trees, forest-trees, and grasses followed Him. Whoever knows thus becomes their beloved abode. He moved upward, and Truth, reality, the sun, the moon, and the stars followed Him. To the knower, these too become a beloved abode. He moved toward the highest direction, and the Ṛg, Sāma, Yajus, and Brahman followed Him. Whoever knows thus becomes their beloved abode. His greatness became a tree, reaching to the ends of the earth, and then He became the ocean. Prajāpati, Parameṣṭhin, the father, the grandfather, the waters, and faith, having become rain, circled around Him. The waters, faith, and rain all go to the one who knows thus. Faith, sacrifice, the world, food, and the eater of food all circled around Him as well. He ruled, and from Him the Kshatriya—the royal order—was born. He rose above the people, their kin, food, and all that is to be eaten. Whoever knows thus becomes the beloved abode of the people, their kin, food, and all that is to be eaten. He moved among the people, and the assembly, the council, the army, and the intoxicating drink followed Him. Whoever knows thus becomes the beloved abode of the assembly, council, army, and intoxicating drink. If a Vrātya, knowing thus, arrives as a guest at the house of a king, the king should honor him above himself. Thus, the power of the Kshatriya is not diminished, and the kingdom remains secure. Therefore, Brahman and Kshatra both arose and asked, “Who shall enter the people?” They decided: “Let Brahman enter as Bṛhaspati, and Kshatra as Indra.” Thus, Brahman entered as Bṛhaspati, and Kshatra as Indra. Indeed, this earth is Bṛhaspati, and the sky is Indra. This fire is Brahman, and that sun is Kshatra. Brahman goes to the one who knows thus, and he becomes radiant with Brahman. Whoever knows the earth as Bṛhaspati and fire as Brahman—he attains their radiance and favor.