O King, hear now the wondrous tale of Dharma’s trials, his restoration, and the earliest birth of Rudra, as revealed in the ancient Purāṇa. The Supreme Lord, Dharma, is present in all beings, manifesting in six forms among Brāhmaṇas, in three among Kṣatriyas, in two among Vaiśyas, and in one among Śūdras. Truly, he pervades the entire cosmos—every netherworld, continent, and region is his abode. The wise know him as four-footed, embodying substance, quality, action, and species, and, following the Saṃhitā, remember him as three-horned. This primordial and endless Om, two-headed and seven-handed, bound with threefold bonds, is foremost among the Brāhmaṇas and the protector of the world. Once, Dharma was oppressed by Soma, famed for wondrous deeds, who sought to seize Tārā, the wife of his brother Aṅgirasa. Fearing the might and cruelty of Soma, Dharma departed and entered a dense and dreadful forest. With Dharma thus withdrawn, the wives of the Asuras, deprived of righteousness, roamed desiring to capture the dwellings of the gods, and the Asuras themselves wandered through the abodes of the gods. In this chaos, with order lost and Dharma destroyed, the gods and Asuras, angered by Soma’s transgression and seeking to reclaim their women, took up arms and fought fiercely. Witnessing their fury, Nārada, ever delighted by the unfolding of destinies, approached his father Brahmā and spoke to him of the conflict. Then Brahmā, the Grandsire of all worlds, mounted his swan and descended to restrain them, asking for whose sake the battle was waged. All declared it was because of Soma, and Brahmā realized that his own son, Dharma, had fled and sought refuge in the forest. Quickly, Brahmā, accompanied by the gods and Asuras, journeyed there. In that forest, they beheld Dharma in the form of a radiant bull, shining like the moon, wandering amidst the trees. Brahmā addressed the assembly, saying, “This is my firstborn son, Dharma, who has been greatly oppressed by Soma, who sought to seize his brother’s wife.” He urged the gods and Asuras alike, “Appease him, so that your states may be preserved equally.” All, delighted by Brahmā’s words, praised the god Dharma, recognizing him as radiant as the full moon. They offered salutations: “Homage to you, O moon-like one! Lord of the world, divine in form, you show the path to heaven and are the very embodiment of righteous action. All-pervading, you alone protect the earth and the three worlds. Without you, nothing exists; bereft of you, the world perishes in an instant. You are the soul of all beings, the very essence of good, rajas among the passionate, tamas among the inert. Four-footed, four-horned, three-eyed, seven-handed, three-bonded, in the form of a bull—we salute you! Without you, we stray from the path; lead us to the true way, for you are our supreme goal.” Thus praised, Prajāpati Dharma, in the form of a bull, was pleased. With tranquil mind and peaceful gaze, he looked upon them, and instantly, by his very sight, the gods were freed from confusion and firmly established in righteousness. The Asuras too were restored. Then Brahmā declared, “From this day forth, let the thirteenth lunar day be sacred to you, O Dharma. Whoever observes this day and approaches you, gathering up his sins, from him those sins are released. And because you have long pervaded this forest, it shall be known as Dharmāranya.” Brahmā continued, “O Lord, you are recognized in the worlds as having four, three, two, or one foot, according to the ages beginning with Krita. Thus, in the field of action and in the heavens, protect your own abode and the universe.” Having spoken thus, Brahmā vanished before the assembly, and the gods, together with the bull Dharma, departed to their abodes, free from sorrow. Whoever recites this account of the origin of Dharma at a śrāddha ceremony and satisfies the ancestors on the thirteenth day with milk-rice, according to his means, attains heaven and joins the company of the gods. Now, O King, hear of the earliest birth of Rudra. The Lord, great in austerity, righteous, patient, and fierce in energy, was born as the lord of creatures, having realized supreme knowledge and the true nature of reality. Desiring to create, he became greatly agitated with anger at the time of the world’s expansion. Through his austerities, he became renowned, ancient, and free from rajas and tamas—a bestower of boons, worthy of worship, powerful, dark-red in hue, a man with tawny eyes. Crying out, he was addressed by Brahmā: “Do not weep; you are Rudra.” Thus he became the ancient one. Brahmā instructed him, “Lead forth the creation, which has many forms; you are capable, O great one.” At these words, Rudra plunged into the waters. Daksha, born from himself, began to create. At that time, the excellent gods, born from Brahmā’s mind, extended creation in the forests. In that expanded creation, the supreme sacrifice of the Grandsire was performed. Long ago, Rudra, immersed in the waters, withdrew from the world, desiring to create the gods. He poured forth the sacrifice, and the gods, siddhas, and yakshas approached him. But Rudra, overtaken by anger, wondered, “By whom, out of delusion, has this world been created, surpassing me?” In his wrath, he cried out “Ha! He!” and flames blazed forth. From this arose hosts of piśācas, vetālas, bhūtas, and groups of yogis, filling the sky, earth, and all directions. Then, in his omniscience, Rudra fashioned a bow measuring twenty-four cubits, made a triple-twisted bowstring, and took up the divine bow. In his fury, he struck out the teeth of Pūṣan, the eyes of Bhaga, and the testicles of Kratu. The sacrificial priest, his seed pierced, departed swiftly from the sacrificial ground, like the wind bearing the stream of life. All the gods approached Paśupati and offered obeisance to Bhava. The Grandsire, Brahmā, arrived joyfully, embraced Bhava and the gods, who were filled with devotion, and gazed upon the Lord of gods, saying, “O strong-armed one, understand the inner knowledge.” Thus unfolds the profound story of Dharma’s tribulation and restoration, and of Rudra’s earliest birth, as told in the ancient tradition.