At the close of another thousand years, the ascetics who were once your elder brothers among the sages, radiant and delightful to behold, became your sons—emerging anew from that same divine source. Among them shone Sanatkumāra and Ṛbhu, both illustrious and steadfast in pure celibacy, their eyes long as lotus petals and their presence as radiant as fire among the worlds. Alongside them were Sanaka, Sanātana, and Sanandana, all born at the same moment, each possessing insight that transcended the senses. These sages were not ordinary beings; they were living embodiments of intuitive wisdom, stabilizing the very world itself. Free from the bonds of action and untouched by the threefold afflictions, they moved through existence with serene detachment. They understood the nature of life and death—that the cycle of repeated birth offers little joy, but much suffering, old age, and sorrow. Even the happiness found in heaven is fleeting, and suffering is present in hell as well. Knowing all this, they accepted the certainty of fate, understanding the doctrine of existence with clarity. Observing Ṛbhu and Sanatkumāra under your guidance, your three sons—Sanaka, Sanātana, and Sanandana—transcended the three qualities of nature. With great energy, they set forth on the path of knowledge. Thus, when Sanaka and the others proceeded along this way, it was foretold that you would become deluded by the māyā of Śaṅkara. When the cosmic cycle turns, O sinless one, your awareness would be lost, veiled by divine illusion. Yet, at the end of the cycle, all remaining beings—subtle and earthly alike—are said to awaken through the universal māyā of the Divine. Just as Mount Meru is revered as the realm of the gods, so too should you recognize the greatness of the supreme Lord among the gods. By knowing the true nature of the Lord, and recognizing me, the lotus-eyed one, as Mahādeva—the great being, bestower of boons, and master of all creatures—you understand the essence of divinity. With the sacred syllable Oṃ and the hymns of the Sāman, bowing in reverence to the teacher of the world, we both possess the power, if angered, to burn this world with our very breath. Knowing this great yoga, I shall rise with immense strength, placing you at the forefront, to praise the one whose radiance blazes like fire. Then, placing Brahmā at the head, he of the Garuḍa banner, accompanied by those from the past, present, and future, began his hymn. With the names and Vedic meters, he uttered these words: “Salutations to you, O blessed one, of excellent vows and infinite splendor. Homage to the Lord of the field, to the bearer of seed, to the one with the spear; homage to the noble phallus, the one worthy of worship, the staff-bearer, the one of potent seed. Homage to the eldest, the best, the first and foremost; homage to the venerable, the worshipful, the one who is born instantly. “To the one dwelling in caves, the Lord of vessels, the wearer of the sky as garment—homage. Homage to the Lord of beings, beginning with us. Homage to the Lord of the Vedas, to the Lord of the Smṛtis, to the Lord of actions and gifts, and to the Lord of all substances. Homage to the Lord of Yoga, to the Lord of Sāṃkhya, to the Lord of the sages firmly established. To you, Lord of the stars, homage; to the Lord of planets, homage; to the Lord of lightning, thunder, and clouds, and to the Lord of roaring, homage. “Homage to the Lord of the great oceans, of islands, of mountains, and of rains. Homage to the Lord of rivers, of streams, of great herbs, and of trees. To the tree of righteousness, to righteousness itself, to the Lord of all that abides—homage; and to the Lord of the supreme beyond, homage. Homage to the Lord of tastes, to the Lord of jewels; and to the Lord of moments, to the Lord of instants. “Homage to the Lord of days and nights, of fortnights and months; to you, Lord of seasons, Lord of number, homage. And to the Lord of the other half of time, to the Lord of the supreme half, homage; homage to the Lord of the Purāṇas, to the Lord of creations. Homage to the Lord of the ages of Manu, to the Lord of Yoga; to the Lord of the fourfold creation, to the one of infinite vision. “Homage to the Lord of the cycles of creation and dissolution, to the Lord of winds; homage to the Lord of the universe, to the Lord of Brahmā. Homage to the Lord of knowledge, to the Lord of learning; homage to the Lord of vows, to the Lord of observances. To you, Lord of mantras, homage; to the Lord of mantras, homage; and to the Lord of ancestors, and to the Lord of cattle, homage. “Homage to you, the bull of speech, and to the ancient bull; homage to the Lord of cattle, to the one whose banner bears the bull and Indra’s sign. Homage to the Lord of the progenitors, to the Lord of accomplishments; homage to the Lord of the hosts of Daityas and Dānavas, to the Lord of the Rākṣasas. Salutation to the Lord of the Gandharvas, to the Lord of the Yakṣas; salutation to the Lord of Garuḍas, serpents, and birds. “Salutation to the Lord of all secret spirits and goblins; salutation to Gokarna, the protector, and to Shankukarna as well. Salutation to Varaha, the immeasurable one, to Riksha, and to the stainless; salutation to the Lord of the gods and the Lord of the hosts. Salutation to the Lord of waters and to the Lord of strength; salutation to the Lord of Lakshmi, to Shripa, and to the Lord of the earth. “Salutation to the one who is the sum of strength and weakness, to the unshakable and the shaker, to the one with blazing or single horn, to the bull, to the one with a hump. Salutation to firmness, to your form, to the follower of brilliance; salutation to the one who is past, future, and indeed present.” Thus, with reverence and devotion, the hymn was offered, exalting the supreme Lord in all his myriad forms and glories.