Let me tell you of the One who is the heart of all that exists, the source and sustainer of every being and every force. He is the doer of actions, the action itself, the process by which things unfold, and the result that emerges—nothing happens outside His will. This One is the lord of the gods, honored as the lord of the Vṛṣṇis, their protector and guide. He is known as the lord of animals, holding dominion over all creatures, and is also the lord of the Vasus, those radiant beings. He is the lord of the trees, nurturing their growth, and the lord of the wind, commanding its movement. He is the lord of Kubera, the keeper of treasures, and the lord of the stars that shine in the heavens. He rules over serpents, the sun in its brilliance, and Dakṣa, the ancient progenitor. He is the lord of the Gandharvas, those celestial musicians, and the supreme lord of the Asūnas. Among the gods, He stands foremost; among the wise, He is the lord of Kapila. He is the lord of sages, revered by those who seek truth, and the supreme lord of the sun itself. He governs the planets in their courses and is also the lord of the Rākṣasas, the powerful beings of the night. He is the lord of rivers, guiding their flow, and the lord of oceans, embracing their vastness. He is the lord of Vetālas and Kūṣmāṇḍas, those mysterious spirits. He is the great soul, auspicious and worthy of honor, known as Mandara and the lord of Mandara. Adorned with garlands, He is the great god, worshipped even by the greatest gods. His might is immense, His vital energy boundless; sage Markandeya himself worships Him. Praised by sages, He is a sage among sages, friendly and strong, possessing a mighty jaw. His mouth is vast, His soul noble, His body great, and His belly expansive. His movement is grand, His fame widespread, His form awe-inspiring—He is a mighty being. He is to be worshipped in sacrifices, takes the form of sacrifice, is worthy of honor, and is the lord of all sacrifices. Among humans, He is human; as Manu, He brings delight to mankind. He is the lord of Budha and Brihaspati, guiding wisdom and intellect. He is Lakshmana and Lakshana, with hanging lips and graceful form. His face shines with many flavors, adorned with various flowers. He is the giver and taker of jewels, possessing form yet beyond form. He is like a dark raincloud, pure and formless, yet also the giver of form and of white hue. His complexion is golden; He is called golden, with golden limbs and girdle, and is Himself gold. He gives gold and holds a portion of gold. He is Suparni and Mahaparni, the cause of Suparna. He is the cause of greatness and the cause of the primary principle. He is the cause of intellect and the cause of ego. He is the cause of space and the supreme cause of earth. He is the cause of the body and the cause of the eye. He is the cause of the tongue and the cause of breath. He is the cause of speech and the cause of milk. He is the cause of Yama and the cause of Īśāna. He is the foremost cause of kings and the cause of dharma. He is the cause of Manus and the supreme cause of birds. He is the cause of Siddhas and the highest cause of Yakṣas. He is the cause of rivers and the supreme cause of streams. He is the cause of plants and the cause of worlds. In Him, all causes rest, and from Him, all effects arise. Such is the One, the heart and soul of all creation.