As Rudra performed his intense austerities, his fame spread far and wide. He became renowned as an ancient being, his path purified and free from the influences of passion and darkness. Possessing immense power, he was a bestower of boons and blessings, worthy of receiving them himself. His form was striking—dark-red in hue, with tawny eyes that shone with strength. At a moment when Rudra cried out, Brahma, the Creator, addressed him: “Do not weep; you are Rudra.” Thus, Rudra was recognized as the ancient one. Brahma urged him, “Lead forth the creation, which has many forms; you are capable, O great one.” Upon hearing these words, Rudra plunged into the waters. From himself, he brought forth Daksha, and Daksha began his own acts of creation. At that time, the excellent gods, born from Brahma’s mind, expanded creation, especially within the realm of trees and woods. In this expanded creation, the supreme sacrifice of the Grandsire, Brahma, was performed. Long ago, Rudra, immersed in the waters, withdrew from the world, desiring to create the gods. He poured forth the sacrifice, and gods, siddhas, and yakshas approached him. However, Rudra fell under the sway of anger. Considering his blazing wrath, he pondered: “By whom, out of delusion, has this world been created, surpassing me?” In his fury, as he cried out “Ha! He!” flames erupted, and hosts of small piśācas, vetālas, bhūtas, and groups of yogis arose. The sky, earth, all directions, and worlds became filled with these beings. In his omniscience, Rudra fashioned a mighty bow, twenty-four cubits in length. Out of anger, he made a triple-twisted bowstring and took up the divine bow and string. Then, he struck out the teeth of Pūṣan, the eyes of Bhaga, and the testicles of Kratu. The sacrificial priest, his seed pierced, departed from the sacrificial ground like the wind, bearing the stream of life. All the gods approached Paśupati and offered obeisance to Bhava. Soon, Brahma arrived joyfully, embracing Bhava and the gods, who were filled with devotion. He gazed upon the Lord of gods and said: “O strong-armed one, understand the inner knowledge.” Rudra responded: “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 instructed: “O gods, praise Śambhu with hymns for the sake of knowledge, and all you Asuras as well. By whomever the blessed Rudra is pleased, to him comes omniscience and the fruit of satisfaction.” Thus addressed, the gods offered praise to the great-souled Rudra, saying: “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 the god, to Śiva, Śambhu, Bhava, to the matted-haired, the fierce, the great god.” Praised thus by the gods, Śambhu, the eternal wielder of the mighty bow, said: “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 declared: “All of you shall become my cattle, together; I shall be your Lord, and thus you will attain liberation.” The gods agreed, saying, “So be it,” and thus Rudra became Paśupati, the Lord of creatures. Brahma, his heart gladdened, addressed Paśupati: “O Lord of gods, the fourteenth lunar day shall be yours, without doubt. On that lunar 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. Thus, Rudra’s origin came about from Brahma in ancient times; by this very procedure, he is called the Lord of the gods. Whoever rises in the morning and listens daily to this narrative becomes free from all sins and attains the world of Rudra. The great ascetic then spoke: “O King, listen as I explain the origin of the ancestors. Long ago, Brahma, the lord of creatures, wishing to create various beings, concentrated his mind and placed all the subtle elements outside his mind. Desiring creation, he meditated on the supreme Brahman with intense effort. Then, as the supreme lord entered into union within himself, from his body emerged the subtle elements, shining with a smoky color and form. Saying, ‘Let us drink,’ and calling the gods ‘Soma,’ these beings, desiring to ascend upward, remained in the sky, practicing austerity. Seeing them suddenly, Brahma addressed those facing upward in a horizontal position: ‘You shall be the ancestors of all householders.’ Those whose faces were turned upward became known as the Nāndīmukha ancestors; they are always to be honored at rites for prosperity, according to the prescriptions of the scriptures. Those twice-born who maintain the sacred fire should satisfy them with regular, occasional, and desired offerings, as well as with fortnightly rites. Kshatriyas who are covered with outer garments should satisfy them; and those here who drink clarified butter should always be honored by the people. Shudras, having been permitted by Brahmins, should properly honor their own ancestors, but without the prescribed mantras and rituals. Those among Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas who do not maintain the sacred fire should always honor their ancestors at the proper time, in front of the household fire.” Thus, the origins of Rudra and the ancestors were revealed, their roles established in the cosmic order, and the proper ways to honor them taught for the welfare of all beings.