With deep reverence, homage is offered to Him who is the very essence of Śeṣa, the eternal foundation upon which the entire cosmic egg rests. Homage, too, to Him who is the essence of Rudra, whose infinite glory is ever in a divine dance. To that divine form, O Lord, who stands as the witness of all, I bow in humility. Homage is given to Him who is the heart of yoga itself, whose radiant light is revealed to those who undertake its practice. Homage to Him who is the limitless essence of knowledge, boundless and without end. In that supreme truth, the very form of the highest Lord, I seek my refuge. In You, the supreme soul, the highest Lord, I surrender myself. With hands joined and head bowed low, he stood there, offering praises to the eternal Brahman. In response, Hara—the great Lord—bestowed upon him lordship, the realization of Brahman, and the path of renunciation. The God, having shown His favor to the Grandfather, spoke graciously: “All this has been accomplished by Me; now, create the many and varied worlds.” The Supreme Lord, though without parts, is endowed with the qualities of creation, preservation, and dissolution. From His right and left sides, the Supreme Person arose. Thus was Rudra born; and I am his other form, He declared. Though one, Śaṅkara abides by His own will, dividing Himself as He chooses. By nature, Mahādeva is formless, pure, and transparent. The great goddess, three-eyed, ever bestows peace upon yogis. She is endowed with eternal sovereignty, knowledge, brilliance, and deep union with yoga. Becoming Time itself, she declared that none would overcome her by darkness. “Again and again, My presence will be with you, O sinless one,” she assured. Then, in an instant, the Lord vanished, along with his mind-born sons. Nārāyaṇa, as before, became the progenitor of all. By the power of yoga, he created Dakṣa, Atri, and Vasiṣṭha, all of whom were equal to Brahmā, accomplished and speakers of Brahman. All those who preside over the worlds, as previously described, came into being. Together with his mind-born sons, he engaged in supreme austerity. Then, the Lord, three-eyed and bearing the trident, appeared before them. At His command, “Divide yourself,” Brahmā disappeared, overcome by awe and fear. The Lord then divided the state of being a person into ten forms, and then once again into one. O Brahmins, Kapāla and others were appointed to the tasks of the gods. The God divided Himself in many ways, assuming forms both dark and bright. Through these forms, beginning with Lakṣmī, the sovereign goddess pervades the universe. By Mahādeva’s command, she approached the Grandfather, Brahmā, and at his bidding, she appeared before the Lord of Creatures. Rudra, the bearer of the trident, also received his own share from Dakṣa. Thereafter, in Menā, the daughter of Himavat, Satī was born—for the welfare of the gods, the three worlds, and even herself. Śivā, Satī, the daughter of Himavat, was honored by both gods and demons alike. The sages realize her, or Śaṅkara himself, or Hari. Thus was Brahmā born from the lotus, and the immeasurable energy of Śaṅkara revealed.