Listen, O wise one, to the account of Brahmā’s detachment, which arose from darkness. In the beginning, the blessed Nārāyaṇa divided his own form in two. From his own limb, he brought forth all beings, both moving and unmoving. Then Brahmā, the Grandfather, created the Brahmāṇas, and from him, Rudra was born. At the end of a kalpa, Rudra created Hari, Brahmāṇa, and Īśvara; and again, at the close of another kalpa, Hari created Brahmāṇa. Once more, Brahmā created Nārāyaṇa, and Bhava created Brahmāṇa. As Brahmā reflected, he realized the sorrow inherent in worldly existence. Withdrawing himself from creation, Brahmā established himself within, restraining his breath and becoming motionless, like a stone. He remained in deep samādhi for ten thousand years. Within his heart, the lotus, beautiful and downward-facing, was filled by his inhalation and awakened; its upward face was restrained by retention of breath. In the center of this heart-lotus, Brahmā established the Lord—the syllable ‘Om’, Śiva, the supreme god, beyond all measures. Situated within a hundredth part of a lotus fiber, controlling the Lord in his heart with purity and restraint, he worshipped with yam-flower and other offerings, honoring the one worthy of sacrifice, unaging and undecaying. By the command of the indweller of the heart-lotus, a mighty portion was born. From Brahmā’s forehead, this being broke forth, red in color and self-existent, blue, born from the heart of Śiva. By union with fire, the Lord, the person, arose from nature—blue and red—from whom the form of Time, the man, emerged. He was called Nīlalohita, the blue-red Lord; blessed Kāla, Time, was thus created by Brahmā, who was content in spirit. Filled with delight, the Grandfather praised the god with eight names, addressing the soul of the universe: “Salutations to you, O blessed Rudra, radiant as the sun; salutations to Bhava, composed of essence and water. Salutations to Śarva, who is earth, always fragrant; salutations to Īśa, who is wind and the sense of touch. Homage to you, Lord of creatures, whose brilliance surpasses fire, whose form is space and whose nature is sound alone. Salutations to you, O great god, O Soma, O immortal one; salutations to you, O fierce one, O sacrificer, O practitioner of ritual action.” Whoever recites or hears this ancestral hymn for Rudra, or causes attentive Brahmins to listen, attains union with the Eight-formed One within eleven years. Thus, having praised the great god, the Grandfather beheld him. Then the great god assumed eight forms all around: the sun shone forth, the moon appeared with its dark path, earth, wind, man, water, ether, and the all-pervading. From that time, he has been known as the Lord with eight forms. By the grace of the Eight-formed One, Virinchi (Brahmā) created again; and having created all, he did so once more at the end of the age. When, for a thousand ages, all beings were asleep, Brahmā, desiring to create creatures, performed severe and mighty austerity. Yet, nothing came forth from his austerity. After a long time, suffering gave rise to anger. From his eyes, filled with anger, drops of tears fell, and from those tears, beings called bhūtas and pretas were born. Seeing these elder beings—bhūtas, pretas, and night-wanderers—Brahmā, the unborn and all-pervading, blamed himself. Overcome by anger, the blessed lord of creatures abandoned his vital breaths. Then, from his mouth, Rudra arose, composed of vital energy. Rudra became the Lord who is half male and half female, shining like the rising sun. He divided himself into eleven forms and remained thus. With half of his portion, the soul of all, he created Śivā, Umā; and she then created Lakṣmī, Durgā the excellent, and Sarasvatī. She also created Vāmā, Raudrī, Mahāmāyā, Vaiṣṇavī with lotus eyes, Kalā, Vikiriṇī, Kālī, and Kamalavāsinī. The goddess Balavikariṇī, Balapramathinī, the subduer of all beings, and Manonmanī were also created. Likewise, she created thousands of other women. With the Rudras, the great god became Lord of the three worlds. The Supreme Lord stood before her, the soul of all. Brahmā, the supreme lord, had died. The compassionate Lord Maheśvara, son of Brahmā, restored the life-breaths to Brahmā, granting him those vital airs which were within himself. Rudra became joyful, regaining his vigor, and addressed Brahmā with supreme words: “Do not fear, O highly fortunate one, O Virin̄ca, teacher of the worlds. I have established your life-breaths here; therefore, rise up, O Lord.” Hearing these words, Pitāmaha, his mind awakened as if from a dream, became serene in spirit, his eyes shining like blooming lotuses. With his life restored, he gazed upon Maheśvara, and after looking at him for a long time, spoke with a gentle and deep voice. Rising and joining his palms in reverence, the venerable Brahmā said, “O illustrious one, speak, O highly fortunate Lord, for you fill my mind with joy.