Then, the revered sage imparted divine knowledge and the observances prescribed in his own tradition, revealing the practices of the final stage of life—those followed by Brahma and others. In this stage, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas, devoted to celibacy, meditate upon the great god Mahadeva, contemplating the formless nature of Shiva. Out of deep compassion for his devotees, the blessed Lord abides there, desiring the welfare of all worlds. He himself worshipped the great Lord, and as a result, both gods and demons, having performed their worship, attained tremendous accomplishments. Witnessing their ascetic power, they obtained timeless knowledge. The sage advised, “Remain always with me; then you will attain perfection.” He taught the great mantra in the proper way, guiding each to attain their own purpose. The sages instituted sacred rites beginning with the worship of Agni. One among them became a direct devotee of Paśupati, immersing himself in Vedic study. Peaceful, self-controlled, and free from anger, he adopted the discipline of renunciation. This sage was known as Prācīnabarhis, who also mastered the science of archery. He fathered ten sons with the daughter of the ocean. These sons studied their own Veda, devoted to Nārāyaṇa. Among them, Dakṣa was born, greatly fortunate, who had previously been the son of Brahmā. Having quarreled with Rudra, Dakṣa was cursed and became a son of the Pracetas. Recognizing the proper worship, the sage himself offered it to Dakṣa. Yet, Dakṣa, desiring unmerited worship, returned home in anger. Together with his wife, he harshly rebuked his daughter, censuring her. “You too are an unworthy daughter of ours; leave this house as you came,” he said. Condemning her father Daksha, she consumed herself by her own power. Through her austerities, she pleased Himavat and became his daughter. Angry, Rudra cursed Daksha upon arriving at his house: “You, deluded in mind, will beget a son on your own daughter.” In time, Daksha, the son of Prachetas, was also born in the era of Svayambhuva. The account of creation up to Daksha, when heard, destroys sin. The sages then requested, “O Sūta, tell in detail the origin during the interval of Vaivasvata. What did he do, O great-minded one? We wish to hear this now—the detailed account of the creation of beings, bound to the three times and destroying sin.” Out of former enmity, Daksha criticized and performed a sacrifice to Bhava at the ford of the Ganga. All the foremost sages gathered there, along with many others. Then, a sage named Dadhīci spoke to Prācetasa, “Why is that god Rudra not being worshipped now according to the proper rite?” The reply came, “Because there are no mantras together with a wife for Śaṅkara, he is not worshipped.” As all the gods listened, Dadhīci, full of knowledge, declared, “Śaṅkara is indeed worshipped by all sacrifices, once he is recognized. Naked, bearing a skull, deformed, the soul of the universe—he does not fit the ritual. Yet, that blessed one, whose essence is sattva, is worshipped in all rites.