From your divine mouth emerged the brāhmaṇas, bearers of sacred knowledge; from you arose the kṣatriyas, protectors of the world; from your thighs were born the vaiśyas, sustainers of prosperity; and from your feet came the śūdras, who serve and support all. From your eyes radiated the sun, and from your ears the moon; from your mind arose the wind, and from your mouth was born the sacred fire. Your navel gave rise to the sky, and from your head came heaven itself; the directions sprang from your ears, the earth from your feet—indeed, all that exists has issued forth from you. Just as the immense banyan tree lies hidden within a tiny seed, so too did you, the original seed, create the entire universe. As the banyan spreads from the sprouting seed and expands into a vast canopy, so does the world unfold from your creative power. And just as the banana tree is never seen apart from its bark and leaves, so, O Lord, this universe cannot be seen apart from you. That blissful power, mingling joy and sorrow, resides solely in you and is united with you, though you remain untouched by all qualities. Salutations to you, who are both distinct and one, the very essence of all beings. You are manifest as both primordial matter and the Purusha—the cosmic sovereign. You are present in all creatures, you are everything, and you bear the form of all; all arises from you. Salutations to you, the soul of all. You are the inner self of all, the lord residing within every heart; what need is there for me to speak further? You know all that dwells within the heart. O Lord, my wish has been fulfilled by your grace; my austerity has borne fruit, for I have seen you, Lord of the universe. Brahma then spoke: "The fruit of your austerity, my son, is that you have now beheld me; for, O Narada, my appearance is never without purpose. Therefore, choose a boon according to your desire; when I appear before someone, all their wishes are as good as fulfilled." Narada replied: "O Lord, ruler of all beings, you dwell in the heart of everyone; what could I desire that is unknown to you? The creation you have made, I have seen as you intended, O mighty one; yet, upon witnessing the gods, sages, and demons, curiosity has arisen in me." Pulastya continued: Brahma, the god and lord of heaven, was pleased with his son Narada and granted him a boon, making him the foremost among sages. "By my grace," Brahma said, "you will be fond of tales and divine play in the age of Kali; your movement will be unhindered in heaven, on earth, and in the netherworld. The sacred thread, the yoga sash, the umbrella, and the vina will be your adornments, O sinless one. Near Vishnu, Rudra, Indra, and among the kings of the earth, you will always be cherished. You shall be the teacher of all classes, appointed by me; remain as you wish, honored by the gods in heaven." Bhishma then asked: "How did Sati, the daughter of Daksha, abandon her body, O auspicious one? And for what reason did Rudra destroy Daksha's sacrifice? This is my curiosity, O Brahman: how did the great and renowned Lord Maheshvara, the enemy of Tripura, become overwhelmed by anger?" Pulastya replied: Once, at the gateway of the Ganga, Daksha began a mighty sacrifice. There gathered the hosts of gods, demons, ancestors, and great sages. All the gods, led by Indra, assembled joyfully; Nagas, Yakshas, Suparnas, herbs, and plants also arrived. The venerable Kashyapa, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Prachetas, Angiras, and the great ascetic Vasishta were present. A level altar was made, and the fourfold sacrificial fires were established. Vasishta was the hotṛ priest, Angiras the best of adhvaryus. Bṛhaspati served as the Udgātā, and Brahma, along with Narada, attended as the sacrificial rites were performed and the fires kindled. All the Vasus arrived, as did the twelve Ādityas, the two Aśvins, the Maruts, and the fourteen Manus. As the sacrifice proceeded and the offerings were made, a great abundance of food and delicacies appeared. A vast altar, spanning ten yojanas, was constructed, and all were assembled together. Seeing all the gods, with Śakra at their head, present at the sacrifice, the virtuous Satī spoke these gentle words to Prajāpati: "The king of the gods, Śatakratu, mounted upon Airāvata, has arrived here with his wife Śacī. He who punishes the wicked and rules by righteousness has come with his wife Dhūmorṇā. Varuṇa, lord of aquatic beings and creator of worlds, has arrived with his wife Gaurī. The lord of all Yakṣas, son of Viśravas, the god of wealth, has come with his consort. He whose mouth is that of all the gods, whose belly contains all creatures, for whom the Vedas were produced, is present at this sacrifice. Niṛti, king of the Rākṣasas and guardian of the quarters, has come with his wife. The givers of life—prāṇa, apāna, vyāna, udāna, and samāna—created by Brahmā in ancient times, are also here. Surrounded by a host of forty-nine, Prajāpati and the god Vāyu have arrived. The twelve-formed lord, overseer of the planets, the eye of the world, protector of all realms and refuge of the gods, is also present." Thus, the grand assembly gathered for the great sacrifice, with all the gods, sages, and beings of the universe present in reverence and anticipation.