Desiring to know the end of that wondrous form, I, the unborn Brahmā, resolved to ascend upward. For a hundred years I searched, yet even I, the grandsire of all beings, could not find its limit. Bewildered by his māyā, both Nārāyaṇa and I meditated deeply upon the Lord of the universe, seeking understanding. With joined palms, we offered our praises to the supreme Shambhu. With reverence, again and again, we saluted Śiva—the peaceful one, the very embodiment of Brahman, whose form is the liṅga. Our salutations poured forth: to Śiva, the serene, the form of Brahman, the liṅga itself. Seven times we uttered our homage, overwhelmed by awe and devotion. Suddenly, before us appeared the great god, the supreme yogi, his radiance blazing like ten million suns. He manifested with a thousand hands and feet, his eyes shining as the sun, the moon, and fire. Around his sacred form was draped a serpent as his thread, and his voice thundered like a mighty drum. He spoke, “Behold me, the great god; let all your fears be dispelled.” On his left side stood Viṣṇu, the protector, and within his heart was Hara. Embracing Brahmā, the god inclined toward grace. Gazing upon his wondrous face, Nārāyaṇa and Pitāmaha together spoke: “May our devotion to you, O great god, be ever steadfast and unwavering.” Pleased and filled with joy, the great god addressed me, saying, “Child, child, O Hari, protect this entire universe, both moving and unmoving. Though I am beyond qualities and untouched, I manifest the powers of creation, preservation, and dissolution. This blessed one will become your son, eternal in nature. I shall also appear as your son, born of wrath, bearing the trident.” After bestowing these blessings, the god vanished from our sight. O Brahman, by merging into that liṅga, the supreme form of Brahman is attained—a truth known only to those who have mastered yoga, not to gods nor demons. It is through this that the subtle and inconceivable is seen by those endowed with true knowledge. Again, we offered salutations: to Mahādeva, to Rudra, to the god of gods, to the one with the liṅga; homage to the formidable, the peaceful, the steadfast, the cause of all; to Śaṅkara, to Maheśa, to the lord of mountains, to Śiva. Assured by the god, we were told, “You will soon cross over this ocean of worldly existence.” In our minds, we approached the god Īśāna, who faces all directions, and journeyed to the desired abode of the god of gods, the wielder of the trident. Know that whoever hears or recites this sacred account is freed from all sins. O best of Brahmins, by the grace of Vāsudeva, a person is freed from all sin. Thus spoke the great yogi, the lord Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana. And then, she gave birth to Sāmba, the noble and excellent son. Both Sāmba and his brother were endowed with all virtues and were, in truth, other forms of Kṛṣṇa himself.