Question: We understand from the Bhāgavatam that when Brahmā created Rudra, he found his descendants dangerous and asked him to do penance. We also hear Rudra was initiating a sampradāya. It looks contradictory. Requesting you to enlighten us.

Jayapataka Swami: You see Lord Śiva, is a guṇa avatāra, in the mode of ignorance. Naturally in that aspect he can do things unusual. At the same time, we know that his overriding quality is devotion to Hari. And in this pastime we read, he begged at the lotus feet of...