Brahmā, filled with pride, declared, “I alone am powerful; there is no other—who indeed could surpass me?” Hearing these words, Hari, the gracious Viṣṇu, responded with gentle speech, seeking first to soothe and reconcile. “It is not out of envy that my doors are closed,” Viṣṇu explained. “For who would wish to trouble the god of gods, the Grandfather himself?” Viṣṇu continued, “All auspiciousness and harmony that I have taken from you, O Padmayoni, has been for my own purpose, O embodiment of the universe.” Hearing this, Brahmā, who is known as Padmayoni and who had attained incomparable joy, addressed Viṣṇu once more. He spoke of the highest truth: “The inner self of all beings is indeed the supreme, eternal Brahman. All this is pervaded by me; I am Brahmā, the supreme person. There is but one form, divided in two: Nārāyaṇa and Pitāmaha. Yet, this declaration of yours will lead to destruction. I know the Lord who is master of both Pradhāna and Puruṣa, 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, which were tinged with anger, Viṣṇu replied, “O Brahman, nothing is unknown to me; I do not speak otherwise to you. The cause of all the distinct forms of Māyā arises from the self. Knowing that supreme truth, one’s own self as the great Lord—” At that moment, Hara, the great Lord Śiva, appeared to grant favor to Brahmā. The blessed Lord stood before them, holding his trident, radiating supreme splendor. He wore a wondrous garland that hung down to his feet. Deluded by Māyā, he was clothed in yellow garments. The immeasurable Self, a mass of radiant energy, Janārdana, approached and beheld the Lord, the luminous God, blazing in the pure waters. Rising up, the Blessed Lord addressed the god of gods, the Grandsire. He was without beginning or end, inconceivable, the great Lord of all worlds. He was the lord of beings, the yogi, pure and auspicious, the one whom ascetics perceive when absorbed in the state of Brahman. Becoming Time itself, this great and solitary god, partless and auspicious, was the very one who had given the Vedas; this Śaṅkara now approached. Viṣṇu spoke, “Know me, O Grandsire, as the one called Vāsudeva. May you have divine sight, by which you will see that supreme reality.” With this blessing, Brahmā perceived the Supreme Lord standing before him. He sought refuge in that very god, Śiva the father, and with joined palms, praised him with the Atharvaśiras hymn. Filled with supreme delight, Brahmā spoke, as if smiling, “I myself previously brought forth the imperishable for the creation of the worlds.” Śiva, the granter of boons, said, “Choose a boon, O Soul of the Universe; I am the giver of boons to you, O sinless one.” Beholding Viṣṇu, the Supreme Person, Brahmā bowed and addressed the Bull-bannered Lord with reverence.