Hear now the tale as revealed in the sacred verses: Vishnu, the Supreme Lord, spoke to a steadfast sage, declaring, “I am Vishnu, and likewise the Vedas, Brahma, and all actions. These three are truly one and should not be regarded as separate by the wise.” He warned, “Whoever views them as distinct, with partiality, falls into the dreadful hell called Raurava.” Vishnu further proclaimed, “I am Brahma, I am Vishnu, and I am the Rig, Yajur, and Sama Vedas. There is no division in this, O best of the twice-born; all are one.” Then Rudra, the great god, addressed the foremost of twice-born sages, eager to hear of something unprecedented. He began, “Listen further, O eminent sage, to what happened while I was immersed in the waters. In ancient times, Brahma created me and instructed, ‘Create beings.’ But lacking proper understanding, I plunged into the waters.” There, Rudra lingered for a single moment, his mind concentrated, meditating upon the Supreme Lord as a person the size of a thumb. Suddenly, from the water emerged eleven radiant men, shining like the fire of dissolution, heating the water with their brilliance. Rudra asked them, “Who are you, emerging from the water with such radiance? Where are you going?” The men said nothing, and departed in silence. After them, a great person appeared, exceedingly splendid, resembling a cloud, with lotus-like eyes. Rudra inquired, “Who are you? Who were those men who have gone? What is your purpose here?” The person replied, “Those men who departed, radiant with brilliance, are the Adityas. They hasten forth, having been meditated upon by Brahma. Brahma creates creation, and these men go forth to protect it—there is no doubt.” Rudra, curious, asked, “O blessed one, how do you know this? By what name is all this known? Tell me, for I am eager.” The person answered, “I am Narayana, the eternal god, who rests upon the waters. May you obtain divine sight; look upon me with care.” At his command, Rudra beheld him—the Supreme Lord, the size of a thumb, blazing like the sun, with a lotus in his navel. There Rudra saw Brahma, and himself beside him. Joy arose in Rudra’s heart, and he turned to praise the great soul. When that divine form was born, Rudra praised the Soul of the Universe with a hymn, composed in devotion and remembrance of his deeds through austerity: “Salutations to the Infinite, pure of mind, manifold in form, with a thousand arms; to the Creator, radiant with a thousand rays, vast of body, performer of pure deeds. To Śambhu, remover of all the world’s distress, whose brilliance surpasses a thousand suns and winds; to the wielder of the discus, upholder of all knowledge, ever sinless, ever praised by all the gods. To the beginningless God, infallible, crowned with Śeṣa; Lord, All-pervader, Lord of beings, Great Lord; Lord of the winds, Lord of all, Lord of the world, Lord of the earth, Lord of the universe—ever my salutations. O Lord of the waters, Nārāyaṇa, benefactor of the universe, Lord of the earth, Lord of all, all-seeing; O Moon, Sun, Infallible One, Hero, all-pervading, of inconceivable form, immortal, imperishable. O Nārāyaṇa, whose blazing circle opposes the flames of fire, protector, whose faces are everywhere—salutations to you, remover of the gods’ distress, immortal, imperishable; protect me, O Infallible One, who has sought your refuge. O All-pervader, I see your many faces, with the ancient one at the center—Brahmā, the Lord, the source of the worlds; salutations to you, O Grandfather. Through countless revolutions of the wheel of existence, you, O God of gods, are sometimes revealed to those who seek the true path, whose minds are purified by knowledge—so why do I babble, trying to address you? He who knows you as the one beyond nature is the knower of all, the foremost among the wise; your qualities cannot be forcibly distinguished among them, for your vast form is also exceedingly subtle. You are beyond speech, beyond mind, beyond the senses; you are not bound by action, nor are you limited to a single act; you are not subject to the bonds of worldly existence—how, then, O God of gods, can you be known? Your form, both manifest and unmanifest, incomparable, is attained by those of pure mind, O God, by those who perform sacrifices that sever worldly bondage; then you are realized as the four-armed one. That supreme form of yours, cause of wonder, is not known even by the gods; therefore, Brahmā and others worship your ancient form, as described in the accounts of your incarnations. O great one, not even the lotus-born creator of the universe knows your form completely; but I, purified by austerity, know you as the ancient sage, the first being. The lotus-seated one is known as my father, and he is often said to be the source of the ancients; yet, O Lord, not even one like me can know you—those devoid of austerity cannot comprehend you. O God, even Brahmā and the foremost among the wise cannot know you; the ignorant, lacking devotion to you, desire understanding, but wisdom does not arise in them, nor do they possess the Vedas, even if famed. O Lord, discernment arises for the knowers of the Veda through many births, by your grace; for one who has attained you, there is neither human existence nor the path of gods and gandharvas, nor is there liberation. You are Viṣṇu in form, exceedingly subtle; you are also gross, the fulfillment of all duties; O God, you are both gross and subtle, easily attained, but those who act contrary to you fall into hell. What can be said of you, who exist in this universe, pervading ether, self, moon, fire, sun, earth, and wind, assuming forms corresponding to the elements, your own nature pervading all? O Lord, thus accept this praise of mine, especially from your devotee; as you have commanded, create the creation, and grant me omniscience. Salutations to you, O Viṣṇu. Even if a man were to have four faces, or ten million mouths, and a pure mind, O best of gods, he could not fully describe your countless and various qualities; be gracious. To one engaged in meditation, with purified intellect, whose mind is devoted solely to you, you always dwell in the heart. Salutations to you; there is no separate existence for anything apart from you. Thus, O Lord, I have openly composed this hymn, knowing you as all-pervading; by the method of traversing the cycle of worldly existence, purify me, O Acyuta, granting me absolute liberation.” Thus Rudra praised the Supreme Lord, recognizing him as the source and essence of all, and sought his grace for liberation and wisdom.