Chapter 2 of 76 · Vayaviya Samhita · Overall chapter 390 of 464
Sages Present Their Case
Sages of six lineages, unable to settle an argument about who is supreme, travel to Brahma on Meru's summit and ask him directly; astonished, he meditates and utters only the name 'Rudra' before the next chapter's hymn begins.
Suta said
A long time passed, and many kalpas with it. When the present kalpa came, creation began and beings settled into their ways. Sages of six lineages started arguing among themselves. One said, "This is supreme." Another said, "No, it is not." The debate was great but nothing was settled. So they went to the creator and saw the undecaying Brahma. He was on the lovely summit of Meru, where gods and asuras praised him, a place thronged by devas and danavas, siddhas and charanas, yakshas and gandharvas. It was full of birds and ornamented with gems and coral, with groves, caverns, caves and valleys crossed by mountain streams. There was a forest there named after Brahma, home to many animals, ten yojanas wide and a hundred long. It had beautiful lakes with clear divine water and trees full of lovely flowers where drunk bees hummed. There was a great and beautiful city, radiant as the rising sun, which proud daityas, danavas and rakshasas could not attack. Its walls and turrets were of molten gold, with hundreds of strong gates and well-planned roads, large wonderful mansions that seemed to lick the sky and crores of costly houses decorated in every way. Brahma Prajapati lived there with his assembly. The sages came to the grandfather of the worlds and saw him served by crowds of devas and divine sages. He shone like pure gold and wore every kind of ornament. His face was gentle and pleasant, his eyes like lotus petals, his radiance divine, and he was smeared with heavenly fragrances. He wore a white divine cloth and celestial garlands. Gods, asura kings and kings of yogis worshipped his lotus feet. Sarasvati, whose limbs bore every auspicious mark, fanned him with a whisk. He glowed like the sun.
Suta continued
The sages' faces and eyes lit up at the sight. They joined their palms above their heads and praised the bull among the gods.
The sages said
We bow to you, the form of the three divinities and the cause of creation, preservation and destruction. You are the ancient Purusha, Brahma, the supreme self. We bow to you whose body is Prakriti and who stirs Pradhana. You have twenty-three transformations and yet suffer no change. We bow to you whose body is the universe and who holds the universe in his belly. You are completely successful and make others successful. We bow to the maker and ordainer of all worlds. Vidhatri, you join bodies to selves and part them again. You make, keep and destroy the whole universe, lord and grandfather. Yet through maya we do not know you.
Suta continued
So the fortunate great sages praised Brahma, and as if to please them he answered in a deep voice.
Brahma said
Rishis, fortunate and spirited and full of energy, why have you come here together?
Suta continued
The sages, who knew the brahman, joined their hands and replied humbly and eloquently.
The sages said
Lord, we are wrapped in great darkness. We cannot perceive the supreme, so we argue among ourselves and are discouraged. You made the whole universe and you are the cause of all causes. Protector, nothing is hidden from you. Who is the most ancient being among all that exists? Who is beyond Purusha? Who is perfectly pure? Who is the eternal Parameshvara? Who first carried out the wonderful act of creating the universe? Wise one, tell us the truth and clear our doubts.
Suta continued
At this question, surprise showed in Brahma's eyes. In front of the devas, danavas and sages he stood up and meditated for a very long time. Then he said the word "Rudra." All his limbs were wet with bliss. He joined his hands and spoke.
Retold in our own words from Bibek Debroy's English translation of the Shiva Purana (Penguin Classics). Names, numbers and the order of events follow the source.