Section Three (तृतीयः खण्डः)
The Brahman indeed ('ha') triumphed over the gods. In that victory of the Brahman, the gods rejoiced.
They saw it as , “This victory is ours alone; this glory is ours alone.” But He (the Brahman) indeed ('ha') understood them well.
It (the Brahman) indeed ('ha') appeared before them. They did not recognize what this wondrous being was.
They said to Agni: “O Jātaveda, find out what this wondrous being is.” He said, “So be it,” and approached it. It (the wondrous being) asked him, “Who are you?”
He said, “I am Agni; I am Jātaveda indeed (vā).” It (the wondrous being) then asked, “What power is there in you?”
He said, “I can burn all this that is on the earth.” Then it (the wondrous being) placed a blade of grass before him and said, “Burn this.”
He approached it with all speed but was not able to burn it. He then returned from there, unable to know what that wondrous being was.
Then they said to Vāyu: “O Vāyu, find out what this wondrous being is.” He said, “So be it,” and approached it. It (the wondrous being) asked him, “Who are you?”
Vāyu said, “I am Vāyu; I am Ātariśvā indeed ('vā').” It then asked him, “What power is there in you?”
He said, “I can carry away all this that is on the earth.” Then it (the wondrous being) placed a blade of grass before him and said, “Take this up.”
He approached it with all speed but was not able to take it up. He then returned from there, unable to know what that wondrous being was.
Then they said to Indra: “O Maghavan, find out what this wondrous being is.” He said, “So be it,” and approached it — but it disappeared from him.
He was then approached in that very space by a woman, exceedingly radiant — Umā, the daughter of Himavat. To her he asked, “What was this wondrous being?”
Section Three Bhāshya
...Thus (to illustrate it is impossible to comprahend the Brahman completely), here I shall narrate a tale — listen to it, O Maheśvara. That Supreme Brahman, having taken form among the gods, conquered the Daityas and Dānavas.
The gods considered the victory achieved for their wellbeing as their own; but when they were overpowered by the demons, lord Janārdana (Viṣṇu) came to enlighten them.
He appeared in the form of a Yakṣa, the wondrous being, accompanied by Umā and Śiva, and even with Brahmā — saying, “I am indeed beyond even these (gods).”
Even these have become my servants and stand around Me. To make this known, Viṣṇu arrived along with them.
You are unable to comprehend even these (Umā and Śiva, and Brahmā) — what then of Me? Thus, to realize this truth, Fire (Agni), Nāsikya, and Vāyu approached Him.
Indra too went in turn to know Him, but none were able to. Keśava disappeared from that place to make known, not even Śiva or Brahmā are capable of comprehending Me. There, Indra, due to his superior intellect asked. Then thinking “This one alone is worthy of receiving knowledge”, Janārdana revealed the truth (through Uma). ...
[-stated thus in the testimonial brahma-sāra.]
Thus ends the third section.
