Contemplating his devoted wife, the great Lord created offspring from his very self. From his being arose countless multitudes—thousands upon thousands—some clad in animal skins, emerging in vast numbers. He brought forth beings of many kinds: tawny ones, those bearing weapons, the matted-haired Kapardī, and those whose forms shone with blue and red hues. He shaped beings of immense stature, those with unusual and deformed forms, and others of universal beauty and splendor. Some he endowed with hundreds and thousands of arms, assigning them to dwell across heaven, earth, and the sky. He created those who eat food, those who consume flesh, those who drink ghee, and others who partake in soma. Among them were slender-bodied beings, skilled archers, and warriors bearing swords and shields. He also made those devoted to study, recitation, practice, and meditation. Among his creations were the wise, the most enlightened, those who possessed knowledge of Brahman, and seers who realized Brahman. Some of these beings were invisible to all others—great yogis of immense brilliance. Thus, Rudra brought forth excellent gods who had not previously existed. A principle was established: beings should not be created who are unstable or excessive. Indeed, those who are truly free from death do not engage in action. Then a resolve was made: “I will create beings; blessings to you. I remain; you create, O Lord.” And so, from himself, a thousand times a thousand beings emerged—these Rudras became renowned throughout earth and the atmosphere. These Rudras would join in sacrifices with all the hosts of gods. Worshipped together with the gods, they would remain in the world until the end of the age. At this point, the lord of creatures addressed Bhīma, who had been seen in this process. When Brahmā fully understood the nature of creation, everything came into being as it should. Brahmā stood firm, his energy ascending, until the time of dissolution arrived. In this creation were established knowledge, austerity, truth, sovereignty, and righteousness. All the gods and sages gathered together, along with the asuras. Yet, he who created them surpassed the gods in sovereignty and the great asuras in strength. Having brought forth the beings and the sky, he then ceased from creation. Now, of Mahadeva, the great Rudra, and the accomplished sages, the names and forms are to be declared in detail—both from past kalpas and in this present kalpa. Listen as the story continues. From one of his limbs appeared a boy, his complexion dark-red and blue. Upon seeing this boy, who suddenly began to weep, Brahmā addressed him: “Give me a first name, O Grandfather,” the boy requested. Brahmā asked, “Why do you weep, O boy?” and then replied, “Among the gods, you are called Bhava.” Yet the boy continued to weep. “Give me a third name,” he asked once more. Again, Brahmā inquired, “Why do you weep?” and said, “Among the gods, you are called Ishana.” Still, the boy did not cease his tears. “Give me a fifth name,” he pleaded to the self-born Brahmā. Again Brahmā asked, “Why do you weep?” and said, “Among the gods, you are called Bhīma.” Yet the boy wept again. “Give me a seventh name,” he said, and thus the naming continued, as the profound mystery of Rudra’s many forms and names unfolded.