In the Vedas, the greatness of Shiva is proclaimed as surpassing all else. Yet, it is the nature of every living being to consider itself the highest. If Shiva were to set a limit to himself anywhere in the universe, such a boundary would be impossible to define. With this resolve in mind, Sadāśiva himself, transcending all worlds and blazing on every side like fire, appeared. He manifested without beginning or end, standing between the two—Brahma and Vishnu—who were troubled by rivalry. Before them both, a bodiless voice arose and declared, “It is Shiva alone who will discern the difference in strength between you two. If you wish to see who is superior, from beginning to end, then attempt to do so.” Thus, Vishnu and I, Brahma, endowed with movement, stood firm, determined to ascertain the extremities of this wondrous column of light. We both set out to measure its vastness: Vishnu sought its root, piercing deep into the womb of the earth, while I soared upward into the sky, striving to find its upper end. Below, Agni appeared and beheld the pillar, seeing it as beginningless and imperishable. Distressed and bewildered by its endlessness, Agni was overcome. Vishnu, exhausted and tormented by thirst, was unable to proceed further. Even after resting, the Lord of Lakshmi found himself too weary to continue his quest. Bereft of splendor and worn out by effort, I, Brahma, sought refuge in Shiva, the protector, lamenting my great folly born from pride. For Shiva is the refuge of all the Vedas, the gods, and even the worlds. The Shiva whom I set out to seek had assumed the form of a beast, and now, through the awakening of my own self, I regained understanding. For Shiva, knowledge arises instantly, born of the self and free from ego. I offered myself and took refuge in Shankara. By the true grace of the Lord of beings, I was lifted up again upon the earth. My head spun, my eyes were unsteady, and my wings slack as I was overcome by fatigue. Then I saw the pillar of light, massive like a linga—the Shaiva radiance worshipped by the gods. Desiring to see the supreme limit of Shambhu, I made every effort, yet even as my body neared collapse, my ego did not depart. When the radiance is beyond reach, such delusion is in vain, but Shiva himself, endowed with unfeigned compassion, turned it away. Whoever seeks to see the farthest limit of Shiva’s radiance, which surpasses even the smallest atom, must receive his grace, for if Shiva grants understanding, that person’s sense of ego is destroyed. Hearing this, my ego was shattered, and I reflected deeply within myself. Knowledge of Shiva arises only by his grace. Yet, again, the mind strives to gather up its own sense of self. Constant salutations to the perfected ones whose minds are offered to Shiva. I recognize this Shiva, standing before me, as the cause of my own self. All the gods will always become those who quell their enemies. And so, I take refuge in Shambhu, unique in all the universe.