Oblations of cooked food were offered with devotion to the ancestors, while the finest offerings were reserved for the gods themselves. All these sacred rites and distinctions were established by the Supreme Lord, to whom all beings bow in reverence. In the glorious Tretā age, it was by the fire of sacrifice that the Supreme Creator performed worship. Just as the universe had once been fashioned, so too was the creation of sacrifice brought forth anew, mirroring that primordial act. Thus, Brahmā—the endless one, the sustainer of worlds—proceeded, followed by all, embodying both great age and profound wisdom. The incomprehensible Grandfather, whose nature is beyond the grasp of mind, entered the sacrificial enclosure. There, the grounds were filled with wealthy priests and protected by devoted participants. At that moment, Viṣṇu, the mighty Lord, stood with bow in hand, and the kings of the Daityas and Dānavas, along with hosts of Rākṣasas, were stationed at their places. Brahmā, turning his gaze inward, contemplated his own self. Through true reflection, the eternal sacrifice became manifest as the very essence of sacrifice itself. There, the Blessed One arranged for the selection of priests: the Bhṛgus and other sages, skilled in all sacrificial rites, were chosen as the officiating priests. The rites were performed with chief reciters of the Bahvṛca tradition, who intoned the auspicious syllables as prescribed. The foremost sages gathered and listened as the sacred ceremony unfolded. The knowledge of sacrifice, the wisdom of the Vedas, and the art of recitation rang out in the voices of these supreme sages. Present were those who knew the precise laying of the sacrificial fires, those versed in phonetics and the meaning of words, and those accomplished in every branch of knowledge. Experts in Mīmāṃsā and reasoning made various statements, and in every place, O King, were found those of firm vows, steadfast in their duties. They beheld the foremost twice-born, engaged in recitation and oblation, while Brahmā, Grandfather of the worlds, stood in the midst of the sacrificial ground. The illustrious guru of gods and demons alike was worshipped there, and the lords of all creatures approached him as their master. Among those present were Dakṣa, Vasiṣṭha, Pulaha, Marīci—the greatest of the twice-born—as well as Aṅgirā, Bhṛgu, Atri, Gautama, and the sage Nārada. Also present were the personifications of Knowledge, the mid-space, wind, light, water, earth; and the senses—sound, touch, form, taste, and smell. Transformation, modification, and the great cause of all things stood there, together with the four Vedas: Ṛg, Yajur, Sāma, and Atharva. Sound, phonetics, etymology, ritual, and meter—all these, along with Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Mīmāṃsā, and mathematics, were present. The sciences of elephants and horses, along with histories and all the subsidiary branches of knowledge, adorned the Vedas. All these, together with austerity, sacrifice, resolve, and even the very breath, worshipped the great-souled, self-identified Grandfather. There too were wealth, righteousness, desire, aversion, and perpetual joy, all present before the Grandfather. Shukra, Brihaspati, Samvarta, Budha, Shani, Rahu, and all the planets likewise attended. The Maruts, Vishvakarma, and the ancestors, O Bharata, as well as the Sun and Soma, all worshipped Brahmā. Gayatri, Durgataraṇi, Vani in her seven forms, all the syllables, and the constellations were present. All commentaries on the scriptures, embodied beings, moments, instants, hours, day and night—all these attended. Half-months, months, and all sacrifices themselves worshipped the great-souled Brahmā, together with the gods. Other eminent goddesses were there: Modesty, Fame, Splendor, Radiance, Steadfastness, Forbearance, Prosperity, Conduct, Knowledge, and Intellect. Revelation, tradition, patience, peace, nourishment, action, and all the celestial Apsaras skilled in dance and song were also present. The mothers of the gods attended upon Brahmā: Vipracitti, Shivi, Shanku, Raya, and Shanku. Vegavan, Ketuman, Ugra, Sogra, Vyagra the great Asura, Parigha, Pushkara, Samba, and the lord of horses were there as well. Prahlada, Bali, Kumbha, Samhrada, Gaganapriya, Anuhrada, Harihara, Varaha, Kusha, and Raja assembled. Yonibhaksha, Vrishaparva, Lingabhaksha, Vairuru, Nihprabha, Saprabha the illustrious, and Nirudara were also present. Ekachakra, Mahachakra, Dvichakra, Kulasambhava, Sharabha, Shalabha, Krapatha, Krapatha, and Kratha, as well as Brihadvanti, Mahajihva, Shankukarṇa, Mahadhvani, Dirghajihva, Urkanayana, Mridakaya, and Mridapriya, joined the gathering. Vayu, Garishta, Namuchi, Shambara, Vijvara, Vibhu, Vishvaksena, Chandraharta, and Krodhavardhana were there, along with Kalaka, Kalakanta, Kundada beloved of battle, Garishta, Varishta, Pralamba, Naraka, and Prithu. Indratapana, Vatapi, Ketuman proud in strength, Asiloma, Suloma, Bashkali, Pramada, and Mada were present. There were also Sṛgāla-faced, Keśī, Śarada, Ekākṣa, Rāhu, Vṛtra, and Krodhavimokṣaṇa. Thus, countless powerful Dānavas gathered around Brahmā and addressed him, saying: “O Lord, you are our creator. Yet, you have not granted us the three worlds, but have given the best of boons to the gods, making them superior. O Grandfather, what should we do here at your sacrifice? Tell us what is beneficial for us, for we are capable of carrying out any task you command.