The Lord spoke, addressing the sage before him: “O sage, I am the three ages—just as Brahmā and Viṣṇu are. The three arise from the qualities of nature, as do the three Vedas and the three sacred fires. The three worlds, the three twilights, and the three castes—all are born of this threefold nature. Even the sacrifices are threefold, and thus, this world is bound in three ways. Whoever truly understands this, O best of sages—who knows the supreme Nārāyaṇa, who recognizes Brahmā, born from the lotus, as the secondary one, and knows me as the other—such a person knows that I alone am foremost by my qualities, and that all else is delusion.” Agastya continued his tale: “Hearing these words, O king, the assembled gods and sages, along with myself, bowed low to Lord Pinākin. As we raised our heads in reverence, we beheld within the body of Rudra the Lotus-seated Brahmā. And in Rudra’s very heart, we saw Nārāyaṇa—subtle as the tiniest speck of dust, yet shining with the radiance of blazing gold—emanating from Bhava’s form. Astonished at this wondrous sight, all the officiating sages with me raised cries of victory, their voices resounding with hymns from the Sāma, Ṛc, and Yajus Vedas. Then, marveling, they addressed the Lord: ‘O Supreme Lord, what is this mystery? In your single form, we perceive the three forms.’ Rudra smiled and replied, ‘In this sacrifice, whatever oblation is offered by the great sages with me as its aim, we three each receive a share, O best of poets. Among us, there is no diversity of disposition; those with clear vision see truly, while others, caught in contrary matters, perceive differences.’ When Rudra had spoken thus, the sages respectfully questioned Śaṃkara further, seeking to understand the purpose behind the doctrine of delusion. They asked, ‘O Lord, for the purpose of deluding the worlds, you have separately composed a doctrine. What prompted you to do this? Please tell us.’ Rudra then recounted a tale: ‘In Bhāratavarṣa, there is a forest called Daṇḍaka. There, a brahmin named Gautama performed severe and terrible austerities. Pleased by his devotion, Brahmā, the lord of creation, appeared and said, “Ask for a boon, O one rich in austerity.” Gautama immediately replied, “Grant me, O lotus-born, a row of grains.” Brahmā, the grandsire, granted him this boon, and Gautama established a great hermitage at Śataśṛṅga. There, at the edge of his hermitage, he cultivated rice, which he harvested and cooked at midday. With great generosity, he offered hospitality to the brahmins. After a long time, O best of brahmins, a dreadful drought struck the land, lasting twelve years and causing great suffering. Afflicted by hunger, all the sages dwelling in the forest came to Gautama. Seeing their plight, Gautama bowed and welcomed them: “Stay in my house, O sons of eminent sages.” Thus addressed, they remained with him, enjoying various foods until the drought finally ended. When the drought was over, those brahmins wished to depart on pilgrimage. Among them, the ascetic Śāṇḍilya was addressed by the great sage Mārīca, who said, “Śāṇḍilya, I will speak what is proper; your father Gautama is a sage. Without informing him, we should not go to practice austerities in the forest.” But the other sages exclaimed, “Has our own body been sold for eating his food?” With this, they discussed how to depart and, through illusion, created a cow and left it in Gautama’s rice field. When Gautama saw the cow wandering in the forest, he took water in his hand and said, “Go to Rudra.” The illusory cow fell down, struck by the drops of water. Seeing her thus slain and the sages preparing to leave, Gautama, wise and humble, addressed them: “Why are you leaving, O sages? Please tell me quickly. Why do you abandon me, your ever-devoted and humble follower?” The sages replied, “O Brahman, this is cow-slaughter; as long as this sin remains with you, we will not partake of your food, O great sage.” Gautama, knower of righteousness, then said, “Grant me atonement for the killing of the cow, O possessors of austerity.” The sages replied, “This cow is not dead, O Brahman; she only lies as if unconscious. Bathe her in the water of the Ganga and she will rise again—there is no doubt. Atonement is for the dead; for one not dead, this is already done. Do not undertake a vow or become angry.” With these words, they departed. When they had gone, Gautama, full of wisdom, journeyed to the great mountain Himavat, desiring to worship me and perform great austerities. For one hundred years, he worshipped with unwavering devotion. Pleased, I appeared before him and said, “Choose a boon, O steadfast one.” He said, “Grant me the Ganga, the river of austerity, from your matted locks. Let this holy Bhagirathi river go with me.” Thus addressed, I gave him a single lock of hair. Taking it, Gautama returned to where the cow lay. He bathed the cow with that sacred water, and she arose, shining brilliantly. From that spot, a great river was born—pure and holy. Witnessing this wondrous event, the Seven Sages appeared, standing in the sky in their celestial cars, exclaiming, “Excellent! Excellent! Well done, Gautama! Among the virtuous, who is equal to you, who thus brought down the goddess Jahnavi into Daṇḍaka?