The Blessed Lord finds constant delight in those sacred places where holiness has been fully realized. Among all the realms of the three worlds, Kurukshetra is especially praised for its sanctity. Yet, O Vyasa, the Mahakala forest, known as Mahakalavana, is said to be ten times greater even than Kurukshetra. Beyond that, Prabhasa stands as the supreme holy place, the foremost field of Pinaka’s wielder, Lord Shiva himself. Still, Vyasa, Varanasi is considered even more excellent and holy than Prabhasa. The Mahakala forest is a place of mystery and secrecy—a field where accomplished beings dwell, and also a land marked by dryness. O sage, the Mahakala forest has been described to you in its entirety, from every side. There is something unique about the city of Mahakala: only there are the five sacred entities found together, a gathering seen nowhere else. In the beginning, there was neither fire nor wind, neither sun nor earth, neither directions nor sky. There were no stars or light, no heaven or planets, not even the moon. Lakes, mountains, rivers, and oceans did not exist. In that profound stillness, only Mahakala existed, intent on benefitting the worlds. For the sake of creation, Mahakala established desire in his hand. That desire became a globule, a bubble, which grew by his force and energy. Struck by his hand, it divided and became a great two-lobed form. From its very center, Brahma appeared—five-faced and four-armed. Mahakala addressed him: “O mighty-armed one, by my favor, create a wondrous creation.” Even when prompted to create, Brahma did not yet consider the gods. Through Brahma’s intense austerity, Mahakala revealed to him the six-limbed Veda. Yet Brahma remained in austerity, seeking to worship Bhava. Brahma then offered his salutations: “Salutations to Shiva, whose nature is pure consciousness, who transcends the three qualities, whose radiance is boundless. Salutations to you, who delight in creation through rajas, and who preside over the world’s maintenance through sattva. Homage to Shiva, the supreme Self, transcending all elements and nature. With forms as earth, water, fire, space, wind, moon, and sun, you embody all these bodies. All the lights here, all worlds, all beings, all that will be, and all causes—are you.” Then the hidden one, Mahakala, spoke: “O Brahman, ask for your boon.” Out of reverence, Brahma desired in his mind a son—Bhava. Mahakala responded, “Because you seek me as a son in your mind, O Four-faced one, since what should not be asked has been asked, my portion, Nīlalohita, will be yours. Because you have remembered me with devotion as a father, therefore, in this world, the name ‘Brahma’ will become renowned.” Having received both curse and boon, Brahma created his son. As he rubbed his forehead with a hand holding the sacrificial fuel, the son emerged from within. This son had five faces, ten arms, and held spear, bow, sword, and power. He wore the crescent moon, matted locks, and a lion’s skin garment. He was Bhava, Rudra, Pinākadhṛk—known as Nīlalohita, the blue-red one, bearer of the bow. First, he created the seven mind-born sages, beginning with Sanaka, and then others. He made the gods in eight forms, and the animal species in five ways. Thus, creation began with the gods; after making Brahma, he also created the beings below.