Hear now a wondrous and profound tale, as narrated by Agastya to Bhadrāśva—a story that reveals the mysteries within all beings. Once, there was a woman of immense and dazzling form, radiant as a thousand suns. Upon her breast rested a vast figure, and beneath her lay three modifications and three colors. Nearby, a king wandered, witnessing these marvels. As the king and those with him beheld this vision, they fell silent, as if life itself had left them. The king then entered a dense forest, and, compelled by fear, all the others followed him, drawn together and united in a single moment. Within that forest, the king found himself surrounded by wild serpents and fierce bandits. He pondered deeply, questioning how such entanglements had come to be and what their outcome might hold. As he reflected, a supreme man appeared before him, whose body shone with three colors—white, red, and black. This figure made a gesture toward the king and asked, “Where will you go?” As he spoke, a great and powerful name arose. The king was then surrounded by this being, who called out, “Awaken!” At that command, the woman who had restrained the king tightened her hold. Yet another man approached the king, who was enveloped in illusion, and gently reassured him, “Do not fear.” Then, a heroic figure—none other than the Lord of all lords—stood firm, encircling the king and offering protection. Soon, five more men arrived and gathered around the king, restraining him further. With the king thus confined, the bandits united, arming themselves for attack. Yet, out of mutual fear, they hid from one another. In the midst of this, the king’s palace shone with supreme beauty, even as a crore and more of wicked ones were present. Within the king’s house, the elements—earth, water, fire, and a pleasantly cool wind—were present, and the spaces were pure, each with its own unique quality. Among all these, one alone remained for a long time, having attached herself to the king, much like a cowherd tending her charge. Observing the king’s swiftness and form in battle, the three-colored man spoke to him, saying, “I am your son, O great king. Tell me, what shall I do for you? Desiring kinship, we have made you the object of our resolve. Even if we have all been defeated, we remain merged within these bodies. Among your sons, one remains; when all others have departed, there is still existence.” Thus addressed, the king replied, “Become my son, O best of beings, and also the son of the others. I am untouched by the pleasures and natures of men like you.” Having spoken thus, the king accepted him as his own son, and, released by them, he found rest among them. Agastya continued, “That three-colored one, now independent, created a son named Aham, who too bore three colors. Aham had a daughter, the embodiment of understanding, who in turn gave birth to a son named Manohva, the bestower of knowledge. Manohva had five sons of diverse forms, known as the enjoyers, and their sons, called Akṣa, were many. These beings, once bandits, had been subdued by the king. Though formless, they created a beautiful abode—a city with nine gates, a single pillar, and four crossroads, set amidst a thousand rivers and abundant with waterworks. The nine entered the city as one, and suddenly, a person appeared, embodied as both king and shepherd. Dwelling in that city, the great king and shepherd recalled the Vedas, instructing the reciters in their words. He performed all the vows, disciplines, and sacrifices that are eternal and pertain to the true nature of the self. In time, the king, weary from promoting ritual actions, entered yogic sleep and, being omniscient, produced a son. This son had four faces, four arms, and held the four Vedas, standing at the four crossroads. From him, all creatures, beginning with cattle, came under his authority. The king was present everywhere—in the ocean, the forest, and the grasses; among elephants and all beings, he was equal, having permitted ritual actions. At this point, Bhadrāśva asked, “O Brahman, you have narrated the story I asked for. Whose glory is this, and by whom and how was it accomplished?” Agastya replied, “This wondrous story pertains to all. It is present in your body, in mine, and in all creatures. Whoever desires its origin must seek the supreme means himself. From the shepherd arose the four-footed, and from them, the four-faced one. He is the teacher and initiator of this story, and his son, named Svara, is remembered as the seventh form. Whatever means for the fourfold purpose he spoke of, those devoted to the meanings of the Rig Veda worshipped and attained it. Among the four, the first is the bull, established on four horns; the second and third follow the path he set, and the fourth, guided by him, worships the son with devotion. The deeds of the seventh form were heard first, O king; the second, the eternal one, lives by celibacy. Then, care for servants and others, the mounting of the bull among the three, and dwelling in the forest were prescribed, when the bull is established in the self. Another proclaims, ‘I am,’ in fourfold, single, and dual forms; the offspring of that one arose, born from differences and divisions. Having seen the eternal and non-eternal forms before, the four-faced one pondered, ‘How may I see my progenitor?’ The virtues of my father, the great soul, which once existed, are not now seen in some of the descendants of Svara.” Thus, O king, is the profound story of the king, the three-colored being, and the arising of all creatures—a tale that lives within every being, revealing the unity and diversity of all creation.