"Brahma having then considered in what manner he could accomplish this object, propitiated his lord Bhava with a severe tapas (meditation), and in consequence received from him the four Vedas, and was thus enabled to become the Creator. But as Siva had not revealed himself, Brahma continued his meditation in order that he might behold that god. Siva was propitiated; but, still invisible, thus said, 'O Brahma, choose whatever boon thou choosest!' Brahma craved that Siva would

become his son. Siva replied: 'Propitiated by thy piety, I will become thy son under the form of Rudra; but as thou hast craved a boon which ought not to have been asked, I shall on this account hereafter cut off one of thy heads. Nevertheless, though thou shalt afterwards possess but four heads, yet as thou hast been formed by me, from my own substance which is that Brahma, thou shalt in remembrance of this circumstance be denominated Brahma. Also from my becoming thy son, shalt thou be called Pitamaha (the great father).'

"Brahma having obtained both a boon and a curse, proceeded, in order to effect creation, to sacrifice to that fire which had sprung from his own effulgence; and from the heat, perspiration collected on his forehead. In wiping this off with a small piece of wood, a drop of blood fell into the fire, from which by the will of Siva sprang Rudra, of a dark hue, with five heads, ten hands, and fifteen eyes; having a serpent for his Brahmanical thread, wearing twisted locks, and the moon on his head, and clothed in the skin of a lion. Having seen such a son, Brahma was delighted, and bestowed on him various appellations. Brahma having created various classes of beings, they all adored him, except Rudra; to whom Brahma said, 'Why dost thou not also adore me?' Rudra replied, 'I worship none other than that effulgence from which I sprang! ' Having thus spoken, he departed to Siva's abode. But Brahma from the impurity of his nature became immersed in spiritual darkness, and thought that it was by his own power alone that he had effected creation, and there was no other god equal to him. His fifth head also having read the Vedas, which the other four heads had delivered, acquired a splendour which neither suras (gods) nor asuras (demons) could endure."