In days of old, there arose great and noble souls, mighty in virtue and valor. Among them, Mucukunda shone with such prowess in battle that he was said to be the equal of Indra himself. The noble line continued: Harita, the son of Yuvanāśva, begot Hārita; and from Hārita was born Saṃbhūti, who took birth on the banks of the sacred Narmadā river. Elsewhere, Anaraṇya fathered Bṛhadaśva, who in turn was blessed with a son named Haryaśva. By divine grace, Haryaśva received a son of righteous character, one wholly devoted to the Sun—Tridhanvan, a peerless warrior, subduer of foes, learned in the scriptures, generous in charity, steadfast in patience, and unwavering in his commitment to righteousness. In the course of time, the gods themselves—led by Vasiṣṭha, Kaśyapa, and Indra—presided over a grand sacrifice. Upon its completion, Haryaśva honored Vasiṣṭha and the other foremost Brahmins with due reverence. In a spirit of inquiry, he asked these wise ones, “O all-knowing sages, tell me truly: among sacrifice, austerity, and renunciation, which is the highest path?” The sages replied: “Having worshipped the Lord of Sacrifice through offerings, a self-controlled person should then withdraw to the forest. Only after properly honoring the excellent gods with sacrifices should one fully enter the renounced life. By worshipping the thousand-rayed Sun through austerity, one attains liberation. The very seed by which the Blessed Lord is worshipped lies in austerity. Rudra, too, is worshipped by fierce austerity, not by sacrifices alone. The Lord of Austerity, who is all the deities in form, is best worshipped through austerity. By undertaking great austerity, the great Lord is pleased. He, the eternal God of gods, is to be worshipped through ascetic practice, and the supreme yogi is gladdened by austerity. Indeed, no true dharma is found in the scriptures without austerity.” Having honored and dismissed the assembly, Haryaśva then spoke to his son Tridhanvan of these teachings. Tridhanvan, the great vital being, contemplated the Person who dwells within the sun, the one who upholds the whole earth and its fourfold varṇa system. Sinless and pure, he journeyed to the forest to perform supreme austerity. There, subsisting on roots, tubers, and fruits, he worshipped the gods with offerings of ascetic food. In deep meditation, he recited the Sāvitrī—the goddess, mother of the Vedas. Moved by his devotion, Hiraṇyagarbha, the soul of the universe, manifested before Tridhanvan. Approaching with reverence, Tridhanvan bowed low at his feet, announcing his own name, and offered praises: “To you, golden form, thousand-eyed creator, I offer my homage. Salutations to you, embodiment of knowledge, attainable through Sāṃkhya and Yoga. Salutations to the primeval person, ancient one, teacher of yogis.” The radiant Lord spoke: “Choose a boon, O auspicious one, for I am the giver of boons.” With humility, Tridhanvan requested, “May my lifespan be extended by another hundred years, with a little extra.” Pleased, the Lord touched him with his hands and vanished from that very spot. Tridhanvan remained peaceful, bathing thrice daily, subsisting on roots, bulbs, and fruits. One day, a great yogi appeared amidst the orb of the sun. Brahmā, the self-born, eternal and without beginning or end, beheld this wonder and was struck with awe. In a single moment, Brahmā saw that supreme lord, the Person, manifest before him. There he beheld Hara, whose body was both male and female, shining with the radiance of the moon. Hara was adorned in red garments, red in hue, and decorated with red garlands and fragrant ointments—a vision of divine splendor and mystery.