The Lord, in His infinite compassion and power, created beings who were entirely free from passion, endowed with all-knowing wisdom, and numbering in the hundreds of millions. These extraordinary beings were liberated from old age and death by the declaration of the great Guru Hara himself. Yet, the Supreme Lord of beings was asked, “O Lord, create others who are subject to birth and death.” To this, the Lord replied, “I have no such creation; it is you who should create beings marked by inauspiciousness.” Thus, the state of immovability and supreme stillness belonged to the god of gods, the mighty wielder of the trident, Śiva. He alone possessed the power of creation, perfect self-awareness, and the authority to preside over all that is. He was Śaṅkara in person, the supreme Lord, the bearer of the great bow Pināka. With his mind-born sons surrounding him, their eyes wide with the joy of realization, he praised the One Lord of the worlds. With hands joined reverently upon his head, he offered his salutations: “Salutations to Śiva, the divine one; homage to You who are the very embodiment of Brahman. Homage to the Lord of Pradhāna and Puruṣa, to the master of yoga. Salutations to You, O wielder of Pināka, to the three-eyed Lord, again and again. To the Lord of the knowledge of Brahman, to the giver of that sacred knowledge, to the very essence of Vedānta, homage to You whose form is the core of the Vedas themselves. To You, who are surrounded by beings freed from all sorrows, salutations to the three-eyed god, the supreme Lord. Homage to You, beginningless and pure, who are attainable through knowledge, righteousness, and yoga. To Brahman, the one of universal form, homage to the supreme self. By You, O embodiment of the universe, all that exists—from Pradhāna onward—is dissolved. You are the tranquil, supreme Lord Śiva, the indivisible Person, the great remover. You alone are the infinite Person, as well as Pradhāna and Prakṛti. I bow to that form of Yours, revered as Brahman. I offer my salutations to Him whose belly is the sky and who shines forth brilliantly. Homage to Him who is eternally composed of Brahman’s radiance, the very essence of the sun. Homage to Him who is the essence of fire, the offering for the hosts of ancestors. Homage to Him who is the essence of Soma, drunk by the assemblies of gods. Homage to Him who is the essence of wind, whose power moves with the greatness of Maheśvara. Homage to Him who abides in His own self, the essence of the four-faced one. Homage to Him who is the soul of the universe, realized through union with one’s own self. Homage to Him who is the essence of Śeṣa, the foundation of the entire cosmic egg. Homage to Him who is the essence of Rudra, whose infinite glory dances. I bow to Your divine form, O Lord, who is the witness of all. Homage to Him who is the essence of yoga, whose light is seen by those who practice. Homage to Him who is the boundless essence of knowledge, without limit or end. I seek refuge in that supreme truth, that form of the highest Lord. I seek refuge in You, the supreme soul, the highest Lord.” With hands joined and head bowed low, he stood in devotion, praising the eternal Brahman. Pleased with this devotion, Hara granted him lordship, the state of Brahman, and the gift of renunciation. The Lord himself, having shown favor to the great grandfather, spoke with divine grace.