Brahmā, the creator, turned to Rudra and declared, “You have been made unworthy of worship by me.” Rudra, whose form shone with blue and red hues, calmly replied, “Indeed, I have not been worshipped by you.” At this, Brahmā’s mind became clouded, strengthened by passion and delusion. In his arrogance, he proclaimed, “There is no god equal to me, by whom creation has been expanded.” Thus, the five-faced Brahmā grew proud, his conceit swelling. From his second face arose the Ṛgveda, with all its limbs, sub-limbs, histories, secrets, and collections. The gods and demons, radiant and wondrous, emerged from this face, along with their sons. Yet, all found themselves anxious and their minds unsettled, feeling overpowered by Brahmā’s energy, though no enmity stirred among them. Distressed, they resolved, “Let us seek refuge in the god, for our power has been diminished by Brahmā’s energy. We will propitiate that terrible one here with devotion, and by no other means.” With supreme melodic skill, they composed a hymn to Maheśa, offering salutations again and again: “Salutations to you, Lord of gods, great Lord—again and again, salutations. We, being deluded, do not know your supreme, incomparable greatness. You are the foundation of all beings, the cause of all creation. By the mere chanting of your names, creatures are freed from misfortune. Your forms, O great god, have pervaded everything completely. O Lord of all, no one comprehends you, the bearer of all forms, for you perform the difficult acts at the turning of the ages and in due time.” Maheśvara, with a cheerful face, was honored by the gods. Together with them, he began to play the enchanting melody called Mohana. Thus, he was praised by gods, sages, ancestors, and humans. Out of compassion, they pleaded, “Grant us a boon as well. Whatever great strength, brilliance, and valor we possess—all powers were subdued, O Lord, but by your favor they returned again.” Rudra then went to the place where Brahmā, the embodiment of rajas and ego, was present. Brahmā, shrouded in darkness, failed to recognize the god who had arrived. At that moment, the Soul of the Universe, the Creator and Essence of all, appeared before them. Rudra, radiant and resplendent, stood before Brahmā, overpowering him with his brilliance—like the moon shining at night or at sunrise. Rudra bowed with his hand and spoke with a smile, but Brahmā, blinded by the brilliance, did not recognize the Supreme God. In the sight and hearing of all the gods, Rudra spoke, his form a mass of light, resembling the moon, with eyes like the moon, sun, and fire. He split a banana stalk as a man would with his fingernails, demonstrating his power. Struck by Rudra’s radiance, Brahmā was bewildered and did not bow. Together with the gods, he beheld Rudra’s fierce, blazing form and was seized with great fear. Rudra stood in the center of the planetary sphere, like a second moon, with the sun stationed at its peak, akin to Mount Kailāsa among mountains. The gods praised the Lord of gods, the bearer of the skull, with various hymns. They sang, “To you, endowed with lordly power and knowledge, bestower of all enjoyments, you are the agent of time’s destruction; therefore, you are the Great Time.