The mendicant, serene and free from anger and delusion, walks the earth as a witness—regarding clod and gold alike, untouched by sorrow, conflict, or alliance, beyond praise and blame. Whether among pleasant or unpleasant circumstances, he remains indifferent, moving through the world with equanimity. Bhīṣma, eager to learn, addresses the Brāhmaṇa: “O sage, you have spoken of the supreme glory of this holy place, the tīrtha that came into being upon earth when the lotus fell. Please, O tiger among sages, recount in detail all that was done here by the blessed Vishnu and Shankara. How did the divine Lord perform sacrifice in this place? Who were the officiating priests and Brahmins who gathered? What were the portions of that sacrifice, the materials used, and the sacrificial fee? What was the altar, and what measurements did Virinchi—Brahma—establish? “Tell me, who was the recipient of the sacrifice, praised everywhere in the Vedas as the object of worship for all the gods? What desire did the Creator contemplate when he performed the sacrifice? Just as the Lord of gods is immortal and unaging, so too is his heaven imperishable. “For the other gods as well, the great-souled one granted heaven; and for the sake of the agnihotra, the Vedas and herbs arose. All other animals on earth were created by the blessed one for the purpose of sacrifice, according to the Vedic tradition. “I am curious to hear from you what desire was considered, what result and intention were involved, as you have spoken. You ought to describe fully the sacrifice performed by him. And the woman named Shatarupa is here called Savitri. She is said to be the wife of Brahma and the mother of the sages; she gave birth to the seven sages, beginning with Pulastya, and to the progenitors, beginning with Daksha. Savitri also gave birth to the Manus, beginning with Svayambhuva; Brahma made her his lawful wife, beloved as the mother of his children. “How did Brahma, abandoning his virtuous, devoted, and noble wife with a beautiful smile, seek another spouse? What is her name, what are her qualities, whose daughter is she, O Lord? Where was she seen by the god, and by whom was she shown to him? What is her form, that goddess so enchanting to the mind, whom, upon seeing, the Lord of gods fell under the sway of desire? In color and beauty she surpasses Savitri, O sage; she bewitched the god, the sovereign of all worlds. “Describe in detail how the god took that woman, the beauty of the worlds, and how the sacrifice was then commenced. Upon seeing her beside Brahma, what did Savitri do? And what conduct did Brahma adopt toward Savitri at that time? What words did Savitri speak to Brahma in his presence then? Whether spoken or unspoken, you ought to relate everything. “What did you do there—was it anger, or was it forgiveness? Whatever was done, whatever was seen, whatever was said by you there, tell me here. In detail, I wish to hear all the deeds of the Grandfather, and fully the supreme ordinance of sacrifice. The sequence of the rites, their commencement, the Hotṛ priest himself, how the Hotṛ’s portion was assigned, and for whom the first offering was made—how the Blessed Viṣṇu assisted, by whom, and in what manner; and what was done by the immortals—this you should relate. “How did he leave the world of the gods and come to the mortal realm? The household fire, the prescribed Anvāhārya and Dakṣiṇa fires, the Āhavanīya fire, the altar, the ladle, the sprinkling vessel, the sacrificial spoon, and the Āvabhṛtha rite as well—how he made the three fires, truly bearers of the oblations; how he made the gods the receivers of offerings, and the ancestors the receivers of ancestral rites. “For the sake of portions, by the ordinance of sacrifice, which sacrifices and sacrificial acts were performed; the sacrificial posts, the fuel, the sacred grass, the soma, the purifier, and the enclosing sticks; and the sacrificial materials—how Brahmā made them; and who in ancient times shone forth by the act of the Grandfather. “Moments, twinklings, measures of time, and the single unit of time; muhūrtas, lunar days, months, days, and the year as well; the seasons, the conjunctions of time, the threefold measure in ancient times; lifespan, fields, decrease, marks, and beauty of form; the three classes, the three worlds, the threefold knowledge, the three fires; the threefold time, the three acts, the three classes, the three qualities; the worlds created, the supreme creators, and those of lesser mind; the path of the righteous, and the path of those who act wickedly. “The origin of the fourfold order, the protector of the fourfold order; the knower of the four sciences, the one who abides in the four stages of life; he who is heard to be the supreme light, who is heard to be the supreme austerity; who is declared the supreme beyond the supreme, who possesses the supreme self; he who is the bridge of all worlds, the pure among those of pure acts; the one to be known by the knowers of the Veda, the lord of those who possess mastery. “Who is the non-being among beings, the fire among those with fiery splendor; the mind among men, the austerity among ascetics; discipline among those who practice discipline, brilliance even among the brilliant—thus, all this, the Grandfather created, the father of the worlds. “How did he seek the fruit of sacrifice, and how was his mind set upon the sacrifice? This is my doubt, O Brahmin; this is my great uncertainty. The supreme Brahman is wondrous, recited by gods and demons alike; even as a marvel of action, he is here described in truth.” Bhīṣma’s questions, full of reverence and wonder, invite the sage to recount the sacred deeds, mysteries, and origins of the cosmic sacrifice, the creations of Brahma, and the supreme marvel that is Brahman.