The gods, burdened by confusion and longing for clarity, gathered and offered heartfelt praise to Prajapati. In response, Prajapati, assuming the tranquil form of a bull, gazed upon them with a peaceful mind and serene eyes. At that very moment, the gods, simply by beholding Dharma personified, felt their bewilderment vanish. They became firmly established in true righteousness, and so too did the asuras who were present. Witnessing this, Brahma spoke to Dharma: “From this day forward, let the thirteenth lunar day be sacred to you, O Dharma. Whoever observes this day and approaches you, having gathered up his sins, will be freed from them, O man.” He continued, “Because this forest has long been pervaded by you, O Lord, it shall henceforth be known as Dharmāranya. O Lord, the worlds recognize you as having four, three, two, or one foot, according to the ages beginning with Krita. Thus, engaged in action and in the heavens, protect your abode and the universe.” Having spoken thus, Brahma became invisible before the assembly of gods and asuras. The gods, now free from sorrow, departed to their own abodes along with the bull. It was declared that whoever recites this account of Dharma’s origin at a śrāddha ceremony, and satisfies the ancestors on the thirteenth day with milk-rice according to his ability, will attain heaven and join the company of the gods. Śrī Varāha then addressed the king, saying, “Listen now to the account of Rudra’s earliest birth.” Rudra, a sage of fierce energy, great in austerity, patient and righteous, was born as the lord of creatures. He had realized supreme knowledge and the true nature of reality. When the world was expanding, he desired to create, but was greatly agitated with anger. Rudra performed intense austerities, becoming renowned and ancient, his path free from passion and ignorance. He was a bestower of boons and blessings, powerful, dark-red in hue, with tawny eyes. Crying aloud, Brahma addressed him: “Do not weep; you are Rudra.” Thus Rudra became the ancient one. Brahma instructed him, “Lead forth creation, which has many forms; you are capable, O great one.” Upon hearing this, Rudra plunged into the waters. Daksha, born from himself, began creating. At that time, the excellent gods, born from Brahma’s mind, extended creation into the forests. In this expanded creation, the supreme sacrifice of the Grandsire was performed. Rudra, immersed in the waters, abandoned the world, desiring to create the gods. He poured forth the sacrifice, and gods, siddhas, and yakshas approached him. However, Rudra, overwhelmed by anger, considered: “By whom, out of delusion, has this world been created, surpassing me?” As he cried out “Ha! He!” flames burst forth, giving rise to hosts of small piśācas, vetālas, bhūtas, and groups of yogis. When the sky, earth, all directions, and worlds were filled with these beings, Rudra, in his omniscience, fashioned a bow measuring twenty-four cubits. Out of anger, he made a triple-twisted bowstring, took up the divine bow and string, and struck out the teeth of Pūṣan, the eyes of Bhaga, and the testicles of Kratu. The sacrificial priest, pierced by Rudra’s wrath, departed from the sacrificial ground like the wind, bearing the stream of life. All the gods then approached Paśupati, offering obeisance to Bhava. Brahma, arriving 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.” Rudra replied, “I was created by you before, yet in these sacrifices, why do they not assign me a share? Because of this, O Lord of gods, these gods, born of sacrifice, have become deluded and distorted by anger.” Brahma then addressed the gods: “O gods, praise Śambhu with hymns for the sake of knowledge, and all you asuras as well. Whoever pleases Rudra receives omniscience and the fruit of satisfaction.” Thus instructed, the gods offered praise to the great-souled Rudra. They chanted: “Salutations to the god above gods, the three-eyed great soul, whose eyes are red and tawny, who wears matted locks as a crown. Salutations to the one attended by spirits and goblins, adorned with a great serpent as a sacred thread, whose mouth is wide with a terrible laugh, O matted-haired, O immovable one. Salutations to the destroyer of Pūṣan’s tooth, to the one who struck out Bhaga’s eye, to the future bearer of the bull-mark, to the great lord of beings. Salutations to the future destroyer of Tripura, to the slayer of Andhaka, to the one who dwells in the best of Kailāsa, to the wearer of an elephant hide. Salutations again and again to the fierce one with disheveled hair, to Bhairava, to the one terrible as blazing fire, to the one who wears the moon as a crest. Salutations to the supreme lord, the future skull-bearer, the vow-keeper, to the destroyer of the Daru forest, to the wielder of the sharp spear. Salutations to the one adorned with serpent bracelets, blue-throated, trident-bearing, holding a fierce staff, and with the mouth of submarine fire. Salutations to the one known through Vedānta, to the embodiment of sacrifice, to the destroyer of Dakṣa’s sacrifice, to the one who brings fear to the world. Salutations to the lord of the universe, to Śiva, Śambhu, Bhava, the matted-haired, the fierce, the great god.” Thus praised by the gods, Śambhu, the eternal wielder of the mighty bow, spoke: “O gods, I am the Lord of gods. Tell me what I should do.” The gods replied: “O Bhava, grant us the Vedas, the scriptures, and knowledge without delay; reveal to us the secret of sacrifice, if you are pleased with us, O Lord.” Mahādeva responded: “All of you shall become my cattle, together; I shall be your Lord, and thus you will attain liberation.” The gods consented, saying, “So be it,” and thus Rudra became Paśupati, the Lord of cattle. Brahma, his heart gladdened, addressed Paśupati: “O Lord of gods, the fourteenth lunar day shall be yours, without doubt. On that day, those who worship you with faith, after fasting, should eat wheat food together with the twice-born.” At that time, Rudra, who was fasting, received from Brahma—the one born from the unmanifest—the teeth, eyes, and fruit from the sacrifice of Bhaga and Pūṣan, and he also received complete knowledge among the gods. In this manner, Rudra’s origin came about from Brahma in ancient times; by this very procedure, he is called the lord of the gods. It is said that whoever rises in the morning and listens daily to this account becomes free from all sins and attains the world of Rudra.