Listen, O wise one, to the story of how the divine forms and the worlds themselves have unfolded, as told through the sacred dialogue. There are those who, through devotion and understanding, draw near to me, reaching realms from which return is exceedingly difficult. Recall, too, the time when you knew me as Lohita, a name given because of the red hue I manifested. In that age, the beings that arose bore red flesh, bones, and blood, reflecting the color I had produced. Gayatri, revered as the divine cow, was then red-eyed and full-breasted, and so, owing to her redness and the transformation of her color, she was known by that name. It was also in that age, because of my manifestation on the left side, that the name Vamadeva came into being. There, O great-souled one, you recognized me, steadfast and self-controlled. By the power of your yoga, you understood me as I stood established in that altered color, and thus, on earth, I became known as Vamadeva. Those among the twice-born who recognize you as Vamadeva shall attain Rudra’s realm, a place from which return is difficult. Again, when I appeared in the cycle of ages with a yellow hue, my yellow form became established by my own name. From me was born the goddess, yellow-bodied and tinged with red, known as Gayatri and recognized as Brahma. In that age too, O great soul, those whose minds were joined in yoga recognized me. There, you understood me as Tatpurusha, and thus, that state is mine, O Kanakanda. Those pure ones, united with Brahma through austerity and knowledge—who know me, Rudra, Rudrani, and Gayatri, the mother of the Vedas—will likewise reach Rudra’s realm, where return is difficult. When I next manifested as black and terrifying, my color gave rise to a resolve called black. There, I was like Time itself, the force that brings the worlds to their end. You, O Brahman, perceived me as fierce and awe-inspiring. Gayatri, born from me in that age, was black-bodied and black-red. She, too, was known as Brahma, and thus I became fierce. Yet, for those who know me in this fierce form, I become non-fierce, peaceful, and imperishable. Again, when I became universal in form, O Brahman, you recognized me through supreme meditation. Gayatri, too, became universal in form, sustaining all the worlds. Those who know me in this universal form will always find me as Shiva, the gentle one. Because this form is called universal, Savitri too is recognized as universal in form. Thus, all these forms have arisen, O my sons—these four, whom I have named, are my sons, honored throughout the worlds. In that age, all castes among beings will intermingle, all foods will be pure and permitted, yet distinctions by caste will remain. Liberation, righteousness, wealth, and desire—these four aims—will prevail, and because of them, the Vedas and knowledge itself will be fourfold. There are four groups of beings, four stages of life, four pillars of righteousness, and four sons of mine. Therefore, the world, with all its moving and unmoving beings, will exist in four ages, established in fourfold form, with four supports. The worlds are structured thus: the earthly world, then the atmosphere, then heaven, and the great world beyond. Above these are Jana, Tapas, and Satya, and beyond all, the world of Vishnu. The world is established in the eight-syllabled mantra, and in each place is that sacred syllable; earth, atmosphere, heaven, and the great world are the four supports. The earth is the first, the atmosphere the second, heaven the third, and the great world the fourth. Jana is the fifth, Tapas the sixth, Satya the seventh—the world for those who do not return to rebirth. Vishnu’s world is known as the place where return is most difficult; Skanda’s and Uma’s realms are also endowed with all perfections. Rudra’s world is the auspicious state for yogis—those free from possessiveness, egotism, desire, and anger. The twice-born, united and intent on meditation, will perceive that world. Because you have seen this four-footed Sarasvati, know that the end of her feet marks Vishnu’s world, the peaceful and supreme Kumara’s, and also the realm of Auma, Maheshvara; thus, the four-footed form has been revealed. Therefore, all animals will become four-footed and have four udders. Soma, the nectar joined with mantra, flowed from my mouth, and so those living beings who breathe are called drinkers of the breast. Because of this, Soma is known as the nectar of life; thus, these beings are four-footed and their color is white. When action occurred, the two-footed great goddess appeared again—this Sāvitrī, the bringer of worlds. Therefore, all humans are two-footed and have two breasts. This great, unborn goddess, manifesting in all colors, was seen by you, of great strength, sustaining all beings; thus, beings themselves will take the form of the universe. The unborn one, radiant and resplendent, will become the very form of the universe. His seed will never fail, and in his mouth will be the fire of oblation. Thus, the all-pervading, pure one, appearing in the form of a beast with fire as his mouth, is revealed to those twice-born whose minds are purified by austerity and who perceive me in this form. Thus, O seeker, the divine forms, the worlds, and the very structure of existence have arisen in their sacred order, each manifestation unfolding in harmony with the eternal law.