Seated in majesty, the Lord stood with one foot gracefully crossed over the other, his hands arranged in a posture of reverent worship. He was surrounded on all sides by his own devoted attendants, marked unmistakably by every auspicious sign. Around him, devoted women fanned him gently with lotus-leaf fans, while the Vedas themselves ceaselessly sang his praises, and, as the Lord, he bestowed blessings upon all with graciousness. The immortals beheld this vision—eyes brimming with tears of deep satisfaction—and from a distance, they prostrated themselves before him, offering their salutations in great assembly. Noticing the gods, the Lord, ever compassionate, called them closer with a gesture. Delighting the assembled deities, the crest-jewel among gods addressed them in words that were at once profound and filled with blessing. “My children,” he asked with gentle concern, “is all well with you? Do the world and the lineage of gods abide by my command? Is each of you engaged in your proper duties?” He continued, “I am already aware of the conflict that has arisen between Brahmā and Viṣṇu, O gods; your anxious words, spoken again and again, have made the matter clear.” With a tender smile, the Lord, through the sweet words of a boy, pleased the Mother, and then proceeded to the assembly of the gods. There, preparing to move toward the battlefield, the Lord of Hari and Brahma summoned a hundred leaders of the divine hosts to his side. At that moment, many kinds of instruments resounded, announcing the Supreme Lord’s departure. The chiefs of the hosts, adorned with splendid vehicles and ornaments, readied themselves fully for the journey. The Lord, consort of Bhadrāmbikā, ascended a chariot beautifully adorned with five circles, which took the form of the sacred syllable Om from beginning to end. All the gods, with their sons and retinues—including mighty Indra—followed him. Honored by the supreme goddess, Paśupati, together with her, went forth to the field of battle, leading his army. As he observed the unfolding battle, the Lord concealed himself within the clouds. The tumult of instruments faded, and the loud clamor of the hosts fell silent. There on the battlefield, Brahma and Acyuta—both powerful heroes—were intent on destroying one another, and they unleashed the weapons of Maheśvara and Pāśupata. The flames from those mighty weapons threatened to burn the three worlds of Brahma and Viṣṇu. Witnessing this, the Lord realized that a terrible, untimely dissolution was at hand. In response, he manifested himself as a vast, pillar-like, terrifying form of fire—immense and without any discernible parts. At the appearance of this great fire, the destructive weapons, blazing with world-ending power, fell away in a moment. Brahma and Viṣṇu beheld this wondrous, marvelous, and auspicious sight, which calmed their weapons. They turned to each other in awe: “What is this of such a wondrous form?” they asked. “This pillar, beyond the senses and radiant like fire—what has arisen? Its top and bottom are hidden from us both.” Resolving to discover the truth, the two heroes, proud of their might, agreed to investigate together. “For us two, joined here, one task is not possible,” they said. So Viṣṇu took the form of a boar and plunged downward to seek the pillar’s base, while Brahma assumed the form of a swan and soared upward to find its summit. Hari, as the boar, pierced even to the abode of the underworld, journeying far below. Yet, despite their efforts, neither could find the end of that radiant, fiery pillar. Exhausted, Hari in his boar form was the first to return to the battlefield. Meanwhile, as Brahma, the Creator, traveled through the sky, he came upon a ketakī flower—wondrous to behold, fragrant and unfaded, though fallen many years before. The Blessed Supreme Lord pondered what should be done by the two seekers. With a playful gesture, as his head shook, the excellent ketaka flower fell, and Brahma reached out to catch it. “Why do you fall, O Lord of Flowers, King of Blossoms? By whom have you been held? You have long since fallen from the middle of the immeasurable, primal pillar,” Brahma asked. “I do not see you; abandon hope of seeing that. I have come here in the form of a swan to serve him.” The ketaka replied, “From now on, my friend, today you must do what is desired. This must be spoken by you together with me in the presence of Viṣṇu.” So, at the end of the pillar, Brahma declared, “There I am witness, O Achyuta.” Bowing to the ketaka, he reasoned, “Even a falsehood may be proper in distress—so goes the teaching.” When Brahma found Achyuta, who was weary and dispirited from his great effort, he danced with delight and spoke to him what he claimed was the highest truth. “O Hari, this tip of the pillar was seen—there itself the ketaka is witness.” But the ketaka flower said, “It is false.” Thus, Brahma spoke in Achyuta’s presence. Believing Brahma’s words, Hari bowed to him and worshipped him with sixteen offerings. But as the deceitful Brahma was about to strike the fiery linga, the Lord manifested before them in visible form. Seeing the Lord, Brahma’s hands trembled, and he grasped the Lord’s feet once more. Brahma prayed, “Upon you, whose form is without beginning or end, may there not arise, through delusion, any further confusion born of desire. Be gracious, O source of compassion; forgive the stain that has been committed by your own sport.” The Lord responded, “O Hari, I am pleased with you, my child, because, though desiring lordship, you spoke the truth. Therefore, among people, you shall have equality with me, and you shall receive my honor. From now on, you and your distinct self shall perform the festival and worship for the establishment of this sacred site.” Thus, long ago, as all the gods looked on, the Lord, pleased with Hari’s truthfulness, granted him supreme equality. Then, desiring to subdue Brahma’s pride, the great god created a wondrous being called Bhairava from between his brows. Bhairava bowed to the Lord in Shiva’s assembly and asked, “What should I do here? Command me quickly, O Lord.” The Lord replied, “This Brahma, the direct progenitor of the worlds, is indeed to be worshipped. Strike him swiftly with your sharp sword.