The scene unfolded at a grand sacrificial assembly, where a divine being addressed a venerable brāhmaṇa, saying, “O brāhmaṇa, choose a boon—whatever wish is dearest to your heart. Nothing is withheld from me; I will grant you anything, O Lord.” In response, Brahmā himself replied with dignity, “I will not accept a boon from you. I am initiated and seated in this assembly. Here, I am the fulfiller of all desires for anyone who seeks me.” As the bestower of boons spoke thus during the sacrifice, Pitāmaha, the Grandfather, Rudra responded, “So be it,” and then, in turn, asked Brahmā for a boon. When the period of that manvantara had passed, the Lord, by his own power as Śambhu, again established a higher place for Brahmā. At that time, the god who had mastered all four Vedas was observing the city. Driven by curiosity, he entered the assembly where brāhmaṇas were deep in conversation. Maheśvara, still disguised as a madman, remained quietly by the sacrificial fire. He entered Brahmā’s residence and was seen by the gods and foremost brāhmaṇas. Some laughed at him, while others rebuked him. Some brāhmaṇas, in scorn, threw dust at the madman; others, proud of their strength, struck him with clods of earth and sticks. They mocked and struck him with their hands, and some ascetics, grabbing his matted locks, dragged him near. They interrogated him, “By whom was this practice shown to you? Here are women of the left-hand path—have you come for their sake? By what teacher was this practice revealed to you, O perceiver of sin? Why do you, uttering mad words, wander among us?” The madman replied, “The phallus is my form as Brahmā, and the yoni is Janārdana; this seed, being offered, otherwise brings distress to the world. By me, this son was begotten, and by him I was also born. For Mahādeva’s sake, creation was made, and a wife was created on Himālaya. Umā was given to Rudra—whose daughter is she, tell me? You are deluded and do not know; let the blessed one speak among you. Neither was this conduct performed by Brahmā, nor was it shown by Viṣṇu, nor even by the god Girīśa, after the slaying of Brahmā. How then do you reproach the god, saying, ‘You are to be punished by us today’?” But as he was being struck by the brāhmaṇas, Śaṃkara, the great god, smiled and addressed them, “Do you not recognize me, O brāhmaṇas? I am mad, bereft of sense; all of you are compassionate and established in friendship, yet you speak these words to me, disguised as Brahmā, though I am Hara.” Deluded by the god’s māyā, those excellent twice-born continued to strike the one with matted hair with their hands, feet, and fists. With staffs and spikes, too, they beat him, not knowing whom they tormented. Angered by their treatment, the god uttered a curse: “You shall be deprived of the Vedas, with matted hair, fallen from sacrifices, and indulging with others’ wives. Devoted to prostitutes and gambling, bereft of father and mother, neither son nor ancestral wealth nor knowledge will remain with you. All shall be deluded, deprived of all senses, subsisting on fierce alms, living off the food of others, sustaining themselves without possessiveness, devoid of righteousness. But those brāhmaṇas who showed compassion to me, now appearing as a madman— their wealth, sons, servants, maidservants, means of livelihood, and women born in their lineage shall remain, if I am pleased.” Having given both curse and boon, the Lord vanished. When the god departed, the brāhmaṇas realized that it was Śaṃkara, their master, whom they had offended. Though they searched diligently, they could not find him. Repentant and seeking atonement, they observed vows and journeyed to the sacred Puṣkara forest. There, having bathed in the chief lake, the brāhmaṇas recited the Śatarudriya hymn. At the conclusion of their recitation, a divine voice spoke to them from the sky: “I have not spoken falsehood, not even among the free; when discipline is restored, I will again grant well-being. Those brāhmaṇas who are peaceful, self-controlled, and steadfastly devoted to me—their Veda, wealth, and lineage will not be cut off. Those who are devoted to Agnihotra, steadfast in devotion to Janārdana, and who worship Brahmā and the radiant sun—no misfortune befalls those whose minds are established in equality.” Having spoken thus, the voice became silent. Receiving this favor from the great lord of gods, the brāhmaṇas together went to where the divine grandfather Brahmā resided. Standing before Virinchi, they pleased him with united chants and prayers. Brahmā, satisfied, said to them, “Let a boon be chosen from me.” The foremost twice-born were delighted and wondered what boon they should request when the grandfather was pleased. They prayed, “May the fire rituals, the Vedas, the various scriptures, and the worlds of progeny—may all these arise for us through the granting of boons.” Yet, as the brāhmaṇas spoke thus, anger arose among them, and they began to argue: “Who are you, who are the best? We are the foremost, and so are others.” The brāhmaṇas, saying “Not so, not so,” quarreled among themselves. Seeing them filled with anger, Brahmā addressed them: “Because you stood outside the assembly in three groups, therefore, O twice-born, let there be one rootless bush among you. Those who stood indifferent shall remain indifferent; those armed, girded with swords, who stood ready to fight…” Thus, the events unfolded, revealing the consequences of pride, compassion, and the mysterious workings of the gods among men.