As the great conflict was about to erupt, a resolve was made: “When that mighty battle arises, there I shall confront him.” It was understood that these two beings, Rudras in their very nature, must be protected as far as possible. For they were portions of the divine, and at the end of the Dvāpara Yuga, it was decreed that they should be established upon the earth. In this solemn moment, the lord of the gods, Indra, spoke sorrowfully to Viṣṇu. He recalled, “In this Manvantara, O divine one, when the Tretā Yuga arrived, Vāli of the mighty arms was slain for the sake of Sugrīva. Still afflicted by that grief, I cannot accept your man.” Viṣṇu replied gently, “O Maghavan, for the alleviation of the earth’s burden—” Hearing these words, Indra’s heart was gladdened. Having spoken thus, he dispatched the two radiant ones, the Sun and the Moon, once again. Yet, a reprehensible deed had been committed, O Brahman, out of the desire to slay the lord. To purify oneself from this sin, the highest expiation was to be performed. “Let one be the Gārhapatya fire, and the other the Āhavanīya,” came the instruction. “In a circle, satisfy yourself, but move not in the form of a bow. Having offered into the fire and performed austerity, worship Hara at that very moment. With a mind purified by expiation, approach the great lord.” Having thus instructed, Hari—the fierce and mighty soul—departed to his own abode. At this point, a question arose: “Why has this event now occurred at the birth of Viśvakarman? How was he begotten by Rudra, the lord, with deliberate intent? By whom, and for what purpose, was he produced among Śaṅkara, Acyuta, and Brahmā? How did that wondrous fifth face come to be for him as well? Who sent that deluded man to slay Hara?” It was said, “There is nothing unknown or unattainable for those two great souls. That fifth face of Brahmā, belonging to the great one, existed then. The one spoken of as Brahmā is also Agni, born from his mind. Having seen its origin before, that great being acted accordingly. He slew him with an arrow in battle, and the dust of Brahmā was laid low.” “O revered one, praised by sages, recount this in detail,” was the request. Sanatkumara began: “From the unmanifest, he created the primordial egg, and it was born. The self-born, after performing great austerity for a hundred divine years, by the union of hearing and mind, brought forth Agni. With his own hands, Brahmā placed Agni above the earth. In former times, as the downward flame fell, the upward flame was held. Blazing upward, Agni emitted all sounds and sparks. Brahmā was then asked, ‘For what reason, O god, did you restrain the devouring of the earth?’ Thus addressed, Brahmā offered his own hairs into the fire. He said, ‘I have no satisfaction, nor any delight in my body.’ Agni replied, ‘There is no satisfaction for me.’ Again, he said, ‘I have neither satisfaction nor comfort in my body.’ Then, the Creator fashioned a body for the Fire, intended for its task. Upon seeing this, Agni spoke to Brahmā: ‘Ah, Brahmā, I have neither satisfaction nor comfort in my body.’ Angered by this, Brahmā split the Fire with a shout. Struck and weeping, the Fire then sought sustenance from Prajāpati.