Nandin said: All those sages bowed to the lord. Then Bhṛgu, Aṅgiras, Vasiṣṭha, Viśvāmitra, Gautama, Atri, Sukeśa, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Marīci, Kaśyapa, Kaṇva and Saṃvarta of great penance, spoke to the lord after paying due homage: “We wish to know the mystic secret behind the smearing of ashes, nudity, indirectness (in worship) contrariety in the natural order,[4] the propriety of service or otherwise.” On hearing their words the great lord looked at the excellent sages and said smilingly.