Yogis, absorbed in meditation upon the ever-perfect Lord, forsake all other yogic practices, knowing that devotion to Him surpasses all. Others, pure and serene in their hearts, attain divine enjoyments through their dedicated actions and unwavering devotion. As far as their understanding allows, they praise the greatness of the boundless One, Shiva, whose true essence cannot be measured. With reverence, they pray: “May you, Shiva, be gracious to us everywhere. You are who you are—salutations to you!” Whoever recites this hymn to Brahman-Narayana with devotion, or has it recited by learned Brahmins, or listens to it with concentration, attains a merit equal to performing ten thousand horse sacrifices. Even those burdened by sin, if they listen or recite this in the presence of Shiva, are freed and reach the world of Brahma. Whether at a śrāddha, a divine rite, a sacrifice, or after a ritual bath, reciting this among the virtuous brings one into the presence of Brahman. Witnessing such humility and true praise, Shiva’s face became exceedingly joyful, his eyes shining like honey and copper. The lord of Umā, the three-eyed destroyer of Dakṣa’s sacrifice, Pinākī with the broken axe, Virūpākṣa, was greatly pleased. Hearing their nectar-like words, Mahādeva, though already knowing, spoke playfully to them. He asked, “Who are you two, great souls, seeking each other’s welfare, united here, lotus-eaters, in this dreadful great flood?” The two great souls, Brahma and Vishnu, looked at each other and replied, “O Lord, what is it today that you do not know, O mighty one?” They acknowledged that, by Shiva’s will alone, everything had come to pass. Hearing their words, Shiva joyfully and proudly welcomed them. He spoke sweetly and gently: “O Hiraṇyagarbha, to you and to you, Kṛṣṇa, I speak. I am pleased by your devotion, joined with eternal syllables. You both are dearest to my heart. What boon shall I grant you today, the most desired of boons?” Vishnu answered, “Everything has been done for me, O god. If you are satisfied with me, let my devotion be firmly established in you, O Śaṅkara.” Thus addressed, Mahādeva recognized and honored Keśava, granting him unwavering devotion to his own lotus feet. Shiva then blessed them, saying, “You are the creator of all worlds, you are the supreme deity; blessings to you, child, I shall depart, lotus-eyed one.” After blessing, he touched Brahma, the supreme lord, with his own beautiful hands, exceedingly joyful. He said, “You are like me, there is no doubt, child, and you are my devotee. Blessings to you, I shall depart; let understanding arise, O virtuous one.” Having spoken thus, Shiva vanished. The leader of the hosts, the god worshipped by all gods, departed. Brahma, having received understanding from Govinda, the lotus-born Pitāmaha, resolved to create beings and undertook severe austerity. Yet, despite his efforts, nothing came forth. After a long time, sorrow overtook him, and from that sorrow, anger arose. Consumed by anger, drops of tears fell from his eyes. From those tears, beings of great fortune and strength emerged, possessing the qualities of wind, bile, and phlegm, adorned with auspicious marks. These serpents, with disheveled hair and filled with deadly poison, appeared. Seeing these elder serpents, Brahma reproached himself: “Alas! Fie upon my austerity if such is its result, for my very first creation has become the cause of the world’s destruction.” Overwhelmed by faintness arising from anger and indignation, the lord of creatures, afflicted by this swoon, gave up his life. From the body of that one of incomparable might, with compassion, eleven Rudras, weeping, emerged. Because of their weeping, they came to be called Rudras; these Rudras are indeed the vital breaths, and those vital breaths are their essence. The vital breaths are present in all living beings, fierce, great, and virtuous. The trident-bearing, blue-red one—Shiva—again gave Brahma the vital breaths. Regaining life, the blessed Brahma beheld the god of gods, the spouse of Uma. Bowing, he stood and saw, with Gayatri, the Lord of the Universe. Having seen the god who is the essence of all worlds, the grandsire praised him, filled with wonder and bowing again and again. He then asked Sharva, “How, O mighty one, did you arise at the very beginning?” Hearing these words, Bhava, taking the form of Brahma for instruction, spoke with a smile: “When the White Age existed, I alone was then; white-crested, adorned with white garlands, clad in white garments, shining white. White-boned, white-haired, with white blood and white-redness; thus, that age was known as the White Age. The goddess born from me was white-limbed, white-red, and white in color; then Gayatri, known as Brahma, existed. Therefore, O lord of gods, by your secret austerity, I have again been recognized by you, and immediately attained the state of Sadyōjāta. ‘Sadyōjāta’ is the name of that Brahman, and this is called a secret; therefore, it is considered secret, and those twice-born who know it…” Thus, the story unfolds, revealing the profound mysteries and blessings of the divine, and the origins of creation, devotion, and the Rudras, all flowing from the boundless grace of Shiva.