Manifestation of Rudras

Vayu said

I will tell you why Rudra appears in every kalpa. This is how Brahma's creation, which is repeatedly cut off, continues. In every kalpa, after creating beings, Brahma, born from the cosmic egg, is bewildered and very unhappy because creatures do not multiply. Rudra, leader of a host of Rudras, is instructed by Paramesha Mahesha Nilalohita, who has Kala in his self. In every kalpa, to ease his misery and make beings grow, Rudra shows Brahma favour. He follows Brahma and becomes Brahma's son. He is Bhagavan Isha, called a mass of energy, the maker with no beginning or end, the lord who shrinks creatures. He has supreme prosperity and is the one Parameshvara thinks of. Shakti lives with him forever, and he is marked with his own signs. He has the same name and form, can undertake the same tasks, and behaves in a similar way, though he follows his commands. He is like a thousand suns and wears the moon's body as an ornament. His necklace, armlets, bangles and girdle are made of serpents. Every part of him blazes, and he holds the skulls of Jalandhara, Virinchi and Indra. His tawny hair and face are washed by the high waves of the Ganga. The tips of his sharp teeth touch the ends of his lovely lips, and his earring makes a circle around his left ear. He rides a gigantic bull, and his voice is like a thundercloud. He is like a great blaze, immensely strong and valiant. Brahma's son Maheshvara is terrible and gigantic in form. He gives Brahma higher knowledge and helps him in creating. By Rudra's favour, in every kalpa, Prajapati can carry on his unbroken work of making beings.

Once Brahma asked Nilalohita to create. But all those the lord made by the power of his mind were just like him. They had matted hair and were fearless, blue in the throat, three-eyed, free of old age and death, and held blazing tridents as their supreme weapons. They filled the fourteen worlds of the universe. Seeing all these different Rudras, the grandfather said to Rudra: "Divinity, lord of the gods, I bow to you. Do not make any more beings like these. Make other fortunate beings who are subject to death." Addressed so, Parameshvara laughed and answered Brahma: "It is not for me to make those who are like that. You create the auspicious beings. By the power of my mind I have made these great-souled and very strong ones. They will roam with me and all of them will perform sacrifices." So Hara Ishvara, who is in all beings in the universe, spoke to the maker of the universe. He withdrew from the work of creating beings and stayed with the Rudras. Since then the divinity has not given birth to auspicious beings. He stands still, holding up his seed until the deluge comes.