Having offered their reverent salutations to Vishnu, the bestower of boons, the seekers approached him, their minds filled with uncertainty and longing for understanding. “O Lord,” they entreated, “we beg you to resolve this doubt that troubles us. How did the earth come to be regarded as the son of Brahma, whose birth is itself unmanifest and mysterious? Please explain to us the origin of the lord of beings, born from the cosmic egg. Tell us also of Brahma’s sonship and how he arose from the lotus.” Vishnu listened as they spoke of the primordial state: “In the beginning, all was a single, boundless ocean. There existed neither gods nor sages, nothing but the endless waters.” Upon these waters, the Supreme Person, Vishnu, reclined, using the great serpent Shesha as his couch. With a thousand arms and all-knowing, he was meditated upon by the wise. Resplendent in his glory, embodying the fullness of yoga, he dwelled serenely in the hearts of yogis. From the navel of this Supreme Person, a wondrous lotus arose, pure and radiant, containing within it the essence of the three worlds. This lotus was divine, fragrant, auspicious, and adorned with delicate stamens and filaments. To this sacred place came the blessed Hiranyagarbha, the Cosmic Egg, drawn by destiny. But, deluded by the veil of maya, Hiranyagarbha spoke sweetly, “Who are you, alone here? Reveal yourself to me, O best among men.” Brahma, with a voice deep and resonant as thunderclouds, replied, “Know me as the Supreme Person, the great lord of yoga. The earth, with its mighty mountains and continents, is surrounded by seven oceans.” Even after hearing this, the Creator questioned further, “O great yogi, even knowing this, who are you truly?” To this, the lotus-eyed Lord smiled gently and spoke with kindness, “The universe abides in me alone; I am Brahma, the all-faced.” With permission granted through the power of yoga, Hiranyagarbha entered into the body of Brahma. Within that divine being, he beheld wonders beyond imagination. Filled with awe, the blessed Ajātashatru addressed the Grandfather, Brahma: “Enter and behold these various worlds, O best of men.” Once more, Kushadhvaja entered the belly of the Lord of Fortune. He wandered within the god, yet could not find the end of Hari. Nor did Brahma, guided by Janardana, find an exit at the navel. Eventually, the four-faced Brahma emerged from the lotus, leaving behind his former form. He, the self-born, the blessed, the source of all worlds, the Grandfather, addressed Vishnu, the Supreme Person, his voice deep as a rain-laden cloud. “I alone am powerful,” Brahma declared, “there is no other—who indeed could surpass me?” To this, Hari responded with gentle, conciliatory words: “It is not out of envy that my doors are closed to you. Who would wish to trouble the god of gods, the Grandfather himself? All auspiciousness and harmony that I have taken from you, O Padmayoni, has been for my sake, O embodiment of the universe.” Having attained incomparable joy, Brahma again addressed Vishnu, saying, “The inner self of all beings is truly the supreme, eternal Brahman. All this is pervaded by me; I am Brahma, the supreme person. There is one form, divided in two: Nārāyaṇa and Pitāmaha.” Thus was the mystery of creation, the relationship between Brahma and Vishnu, and the unity underlying all existence revealed to those who sought wisdom.