Let me tell you now of the sacred Purāṇas and their divisions, as spoken in the scriptures. Among these, the Shatarudra and the Kotirudra stand out, each vast as the measure of the sky itself, each composed of two thousand and two hundred verses. Alongside them, the Auma contains a thousand verses. The Kailasa Purāṇa numbers one thousand and forty-eight verses, and following that, the Vāyavīya has one thousand and forty-two. Thus, when all these are reckoned according to their divisions, it is said that the Śiva Purāṇa, most holy among texts, comprises four thousand verses in total. Likewise, the Vāyavīya Purāṇa is also said to consist of four thousand verses, arranged in two parts. This most exalted scripture is not to be shared with just anyone: it is not to be spoken to one ignorant of the Vedas, nor to one lacking in faith, nor to one unacquainted with the Purāṇas. Rather, it should be entrusted only to a worthy disciple—one who has been carefully examined, who is righteous, free from envy, devoted to Śiva, and who walks the path of Śiva’s dharma. To that illustrious Vyāsa, whose brilliance is beyond measure and by whose grace the Purāṇas abide within me, I offer my salutations. Now, let me recount the ancient events as they unfolded at the dawn of a new age. After a great expanse of time had passed and the previous world-cycle had come to its end, creation began anew. As society was established and people awakened to their lives, six classes of sages gathered together and entered into deep discussion. A great debate arose among them—each claiming, “This is supreme,” or, “No, that is not”—but because the highest truth is so difficult to determine, they could not reach certainty. Seeking resolution, they journeyed to the imperishable creator, Lord Brahmā, who at that time was being praised by gods and demons alike. Their destination was the summit of Mount Meru, a place of great beauty and delight, crowded with gods and demons, filled with the conversations of siddhas and cāraṇas, and attended by yakṣas and gandharvas. The mountain resounded with flocks of birds, was adorned with gems and coral, and beautified by groves, caves, mountain streams, and lovely waterfalls. There, within the forest called Brahmavana—abundant with many creatures and stretching ten yojanas wide and a hundred yojanas long—was a charming lake of sweet, pure water, surrounded by flowering trees humming with intoxicated bees. In that wondrous place stood a magnificent city, radiant like the rising sun and inhabited by powerful and proud daityas, dānavas, and rākṣasas. The city was fashioned of molten gold, with towering walls and grand gateways, adorned with hundreds of courtyards, balconies, towers, and broad avenues. Its splendor seemed to touch the sky, glittering with precious jewels and decorated with countless grand mansions. There, in the midst of his assembly, resided Brahmā, lord of creatures. The sages entered this celestial city and beheld the great-souled, primordial father of the world face to face. Surrounded by hosts of divine seers, Brahmā shone with a brilliance like pure gold, adorned with every ornament. His face was cheerful and gentle, his eyes elongated like lotus petals, his form radiant and anointed with celestial fragrance. Clad in divine white garments and adorned with a heavenly garland, his lotus feet were venerated by the lords of gods, demons, and yogis. His limbs bore all auspicious marks; he held a fly-whisk in hand and shone like the sun, radiant with the brilliance of Sarasvatī. Upon witnessing Brahmā, the sages’ faces lit with joy; they raised their hands to their heads in reverence and praised the foremost among the gods, saying: “Salutations to you, O Three-formed One, cause of creation, preservation, and dissolution, the primordial Person, ancient, Brahman, supreme Self. Salutations to the One whose body is Pradhāna, who stirs Pradhāna, who, though transformed in twenty-three ways, remains unchanged. Salutations to the One whose body is the cosmic egg, who dwells within it and brings all things to perfection. Salutations to the One who is all worlds, who arranges all worlds, who causes the union and separation of all embodied souls. By you alone is the entire universe created, dissolved, and protected; yet, O Lord, because of your māyā, we do not know you, O Ancestor.” Thus praised by the great sages, Brahmā spoke, his voice deep and pleasing, as if gladdening their hearts: “O illustrious sages, strong and energetic, for what purpose have you gathered here together?” To this, the knowers of Brahman, with hands joined in reverence, humbly replied: “O Lord, we are enveloped in great darkness, distressed and disputing, unable to perceive what is supreme. You are the sustainer of all worlds, the cause of all causes; nothing here is unknown to you. Who is the supreme, ancient Person among all beings—pure, complete, eternal, and the highest Lord? By what wondrous act is the universe created? Tell us the truth, O great sage, to dispel our doubts.” Hearing these words, Brahmā gazed upon them with wonder and a gentle smile. In the presence of gods, demons, and sages, he rose, and after long contemplation, uttered the name “Rudra.” His whole being was moist with joy; joining his palms, he spoke: “From whom words, along with the mind, turn back, unable to reach; the bliss of whom, once known, leaves the wise one fearless of anything— From whom all this arises, beginning with Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Rudra, together with all beings and senses— That is the One you seek.” Thus, Brahmā began to reveal the supreme truth to the assembled sages.