In a realm adorned with divine fragrance and auspicious beauty, where blossoms shimmered with delicate stamens and filaments, the blessed Hiranyagarbha—Brahma, the golden womb—approached that sacred place. Enveloped in the illusion of his own maya, Brahma spoke sweet words, his voice gentle and inviting: "Who are you, alone here? Tell me, O best among men." With a voice resonant as a thundercloud, Brahma addressed the god before him, declaring, "Know me as the Supreme Person, the great lord of yoga." He continued, describing the earth encircled by its mighty mountains, continents, and seven oceans. Yet, even with all this knowledge, Brahma, the Creator, pressed further, "O great yogi, who are you?" The god replied to Brahma, lotus-eyed and serene, smiling gently and speaking softly, "The universe abides in me alone; I am Brahma, the all-faced." Then, empowered through yoga, he entered Brahma's body. Witnessing the divine interior of this being, he was struck with wonder. The blessed Ajātashatru then spoke to Brahma, the Grandfather, inviting him, "Enter and behold these various worlds, O best of men." Kushadhvaja again entered the belly of the Lord of Fortune, Vishnu. Wandering within the god, he could not find the end of Hari. Brahma, guided by Janardana, found no door at the navel. Eventually, the four-faced Brahma emerged from the lotus, relinquishing his own form. Brahma, the self-born, the blessed source of the world, the Grandfather, addressed Vishnu, the Supreme Person, his voice as deep as a cloud. "I alone am powerful; there is no other—who indeed could surpass me?" Hari, Vishnu, replied with gentle words, conciliatory in tone, "It is not out of envy that my doors are closed. For who would seek to trouble the god of gods, the Grandfather? All auspiciousness and harmony that I have taken from you, the one known as Padmayoni, is for my sake, O embodiment of the universe." Having attained incomparable joy, Brahma again spoke to Vishnu, "The inner self of all beings is indeed the supreme, eternal Brahman. All this is pervaded by me; I am Brahma, the supreme person. There is one form, divided in two: Narayana and Pitamaha. This declaration of yours will lead to destruction. I know the Lord who is master of Pradhana and Purusha, the Supreme Lord. Seek refuge in that Brahman, beginningless and endless. You surely do not know your own self, that supreme imperishable. There is no other Supreme Lord of the worlds besides us two." Hearing these words, heated with anger, Vishnu responded, "O Brahman, nothing is unknown to me; I do not speak otherwise to you. The cause of all the distinct forms of maya arises from the self. Knowing that supreme truth, one's own self as the great Lord—" And then, Hara, Shiva, appeared, to bestow his favor upon Brahma.