The sages, accompanied by the gods and demons, journeyed together to behold the imperishable creator, Lord Brahmā. They arrived at the splendid summit of Mount Meru, a place vibrant with divine activity. There, gods and demons gathered in great numbers, while the air resonated with the conversations of siddhas and cāraṇas. The mountain peak was alive with the presence of yakṣas and gandharvas, and the songs of flocks of birds filled the air. The entire scene was adorned with jewels and coral, and further beautified by groves, mysterious caves, sparkling mountain streams, and enchanting waterfalls. Amidst this celestial landscape lay the famed Brahmavana forest, teeming with countless animals and stretching vast—ten yojanas wide and a hundred yojanas long. Within this forest was a charming lake, its waters pure and sweet, surrounded by flowering trees abuzz with intoxicated bees. Not far from this lake stood a magnificent city, radiant as the rising sun, inhabited by powerful and proud daityas, dānavas, and rākṣasas. The city itself was fashioned from molten gold, boasting lofty walls and grand gateways, and adorned with hundreds of courtyards, balconies, towers, and broad avenues. Its glittering jewels seemed to touch the very sky, and its countless mansions gleamed with splendor. In this wondrous city, Brahmā, the lord of all creatures, resided with his divine assembly. As the sages entered, they beheld the great-souled, primordial father of the world directly. Brahmā shone like pure gold, adorned with every ornament, attended by hosts of divine seers. His face was cheerful and gentle; his eyes, elongated like lotus petals, radiated a divine glow and were anointed with celestial fragrance. He wore garments of dazzling white and a heavenly garland, while his lotus feet were revered by lords of gods, demons, and yogis alike. His limbs bore all auspicious marks, and he held a fly-whisk in his hand, shining with the brilliance of Sarasvati herself. Upon seeing Brahmā, the sages’ faces lit up with joy. With reverence, they placed their hands upon their heads and praised the foremost among the gods: “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, who accomplishes all tasks and perfects all instruments. 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, this universe is created, dissolved, and protected. Yet, O Lord, by your māyā, we are unable to know you fully, O Ancestor.” Thus praised by the great and fortunate sages, Brahmā spoke, his deep voice delighting the assembly: “O illustrious sages, strong and radiant, for what purpose have you all gathered here together?” The knowers of Brahman, hands joined in humility, replied, “O Lord, we are enveloped in great darkness. We are distressed and in dispute, unable to discern what is supreme. You are the sustainer of all worlds, the cause of all causes; nothing exists 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 first created? Tell us the truth, O great sage, to dispel our doubts.” Hearing their words, Brahmā gazed at them with wonder and a gentle smile. In the presence of gods, demons, and sages, he rose, and after deep contemplation, uttered the name “Rudra.” His whole being was filled with joy, his palms joined in reverence as he spoke: “From whom words and the mind turn back, unable to reach; whose bliss, once known, leaves the wise unafraid of anything—He is the one from whom all, beginning with Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Rudra, together with all beings and senses, first arises. He is the source and meditator of causes, the supreme cause, not born from another at any time or place. Endowed with all lordship, called ‘Lord of All,’ He is to be meditated upon by all seekers of liberation—Śambhu, dwelling in the midst of space. It is He who created me, his son, and granted me knowledge; by his grace, I have attained the position of Prajāpati. The Lord, unmoving like a tree, stands alone in the sky; by him, the great-souled Person, the entire universe is filled. Among many beings, He alone is active among the inactive; He alone, in many forms, becomes the seed—He is the great Lord. He alone is the blessed Rudra; there is no second at all. Though always dwelling in the hearts of all beings, He is not perceived by others; perceiving all, He ever abides in the universe. He alone, the Lord of infinite power, remains, even when all causes, released from time, have ceased. For Him there is neither day nor night, neither equal nor greater; His supreme power is natural, eternal, comprising both knowledge and action. That which is perishable and unmanifest, and that which is immortal and imperishable—both these, whose essence is imperishable, are the one god Hara himself.” With these words, Brahmā revealed the supreme truth to the gathered assembly, dispelling their doubts and illuminating the mystery of the universe’s origin and Lordship.