Yudhiṣṭhira’s Lament and Kṛṣṇa’s Rudra-Cosmogony Explanation (सौप्तिक पर्व, अध्याय १७)
तमब्रवीत् पिता नास्ति त्वदन्य: पुरुषो5ग्रज: । स्थाणुरेष जले मग्नो विस्रब्ध: कुरु वैकृतम्
tam abravīt pitā nāsti tvadanyaḥ puruṣo 'grajaḥ | sthāṇur eṣa jale magnaḥ visrabdhaḥ kuru vaikṛtam ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Le Père (Brahmā) dit au Créateur : « En dehors de toi, il n’est nul mâle plus ancien. Et ce Sthāṇu (Śiva) est plongé dans les eaux, en quiétude ; agis donc sans crainte et commence l’œuvre de la création. »
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse emphasizes sanctioned action and fearlessness: when rightful authority confirms there is no higher claimant or restraining elder, one should proceed confidently with one’s appointed duty—here symbolized by beginning creation.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Brahmā reassures the Creator that no elder male exists besides him, and that Śiva (Sthāṇu) is submerged in the waters; therefore the Creator should proceed without anxiety and commence the creative task.