Patient and adorned with auspicious marks, there sat a venerable woman, her two arms resting gently upon her knees, her face open and serene, her teeth prominent, radiating welfare to all who beheld her. Around her, the marvelous yakshinis stood, their eyes elongated and rigid, while the shakinis cast sidelong glances, their tawny eyes and celestial beauty reminiscent of heavenly nymphs, ever enchanting in their form. At the gateway stood Nandi, steadfast, holding a rosary and trident, fulfilling his role as guardian. Beside him was Mahakala, fierce and awe-inspiring, brandishing a spear and mace, his form marked by a severed head. Thin Bhringi danced with graceful vigor, accompanied by the stout and dwarfish Kusmanda. There, too, were beings with the faces of elephants, cows, and other animals—these were the hosts led by the formidable Virabhadra. These hosts were wondrous to behold: some with bell-shaped ears, ten lips, and ten mighty arms, tearing apart sin and disease. In their hands, they wielded thunderbolts, swords, staffs, discs, pestles, goads, and clubs. In their right hands, they bore a threatening finger, shield, spear, skull, and noose, as well as a bow, bell, and axe, and in two hands, a trident. The great god among them, adorned with a garland of bells, crushed and destroyed obstacles with explosive force. Then, the Blessed Lord spoke of Surya, the Sun, who stands in a chariot drawn by seven horses, its single wheel turning through the heavens. In his hands he holds two lotuses, an inkpot and stylus, and a water pot. At his left stands Pingala, one of his attendants, staff in hand, guarding the threshold. On either side, two women stand with fly-whisks, while the queen, her radiance subdued, stands nearby. Alternatively, Bhaskara, the Sun, may be seen alone, riding a horse. Around him stand the guardians of the directions, each holding weapons, two lotuses in their hands, bestowing boons, and arranged in proper order. These guardians, standing in the directions, hold hammers, tridents, discs, and lotuses. Surya, Aryaman, and the other protectors, four-armed, are placed upon a twelve-petaled lotus. Among them are Varuna, Surya by another name, Sahasramsu, Dhata (known as Tapana), Savita, and Gabhastika. There are also Ravi, Parjanya, Tvashta, Mitra, and Vishnuka—each established in the zodiac signs from Aries onward, through the months from Margashirsha to Karttika. Their colors, in order, are black, red, slightly red, yellow, pale, white, tawny, golden-yellow, parrot-green, and bright white. Smoky and blue complete the palette. At the tips of their rays dwell the powers: Ida, Sushumna, Vishvarchi, Indu, and Pramardini; Graharshani, Mahakali, Kapila, and Prabodhini; Nilambara, who dwells in the clouds, and Amrita. From Varuna onward, the colors are to be assigned at the tips of the rays. Among these shining beings is Tejas, fierce and great, two-armed, holding a lotus and sword. There is Kundika, with a rosary and the moon; Kuja, with a spear and rosary; Budha, holding a bow and rosary; and Jiva, with a water pot and rosary. Shukra is adorned with a rosary of pots, a string of bells, and desires a necklace. Rahu bears a half-moon, while Ketu wields a sword and carries a lamp. Among the serpents are Ananta, Takshaka, Karkka, Padma, Mahabja, Shankhaka, and Kulika—all garlanded, their hoods spread, shining with great brilliance. In the sign of Makara, Varuna holds a noose; Vayu bears a banner. In the sign of Mriga, Kubera wields a mace and sits upon a ram, while Ishana, with matted hair, rides a bull. The guardians of the worlds are two-armed: Vishvakarman holds a rosary of dice; Hanuman bears a thunderbolt in his hand, his strength evident in his stance. Kinnaras play the vina, Vidyadharas wear garlands as they dwell in the sky, while Pisachas are weak-limbed and Vetalas have distorted faces. The guardians of the fields carry spears, and the ghosts are both large-bellied and emaciated. The Blessed Lord continued: “I shall describe the eight groups of yoginis, beginning with Indra and ending with Ishana, in order.” These are Akshobhya, Rukshakarni, Rakshasi, and Kripanakshaya; Pingakshi, Kshaya, Kshema, Ila, Lilalaya, Lola, Lakta, Balakeshi, Lalasa, and again Vimala. Hutasha, Vishalakshi, Hunkara, Vadavamukhi, Mahakrura, Krodhana, Bhayankari, and Mahanana. Sarvajna, Tala, Tara, Rigveda, Hayanana, Sarakhya, Rudrasangrahi, Sambara, and Talajanghika. Raktakshi, Suprasiddha, Vidyujjihva, Karankini, Meghanada, Pracandogra, Kalakarni, and Varaprada. Chandra, Chandravali, Prapancha, Pralayantika, Shishuvaktra, Pisachi, Pishitasha, and Lolupa. Dhamani, Tapani, Raginī, Vikritanana, Vayuvega, Brihatkukshi, Vikrita, and Vishvarupika. Yamajihva, Jayanti, Durjaya, Jayantika, Vidalī, Revati, Putana, and Vijayantika. Some among these yoginis have eight hands, some four, wielding weapons as they wish and granting all accomplishments. Bhairava, their lord, holds the sun in his hand, his elbows forming his mouth, and his matted hair adorned with the moon. The yoginis bear swords, goads, axes, and weapons that dispel all fear; some are armed with bows, tridents, clubs, nooses, and half-raised shields. Wearing elephant skin, with two hands, adorned with serpent ornaments, consuming ghosts, honored among mothers, and sometimes five-faced, they are wondrous indeed. From Aviloma to Agni, these yoginis are divided into eight long forms; each, with their six limbs and respective classes, should be worshipped in order. They are mounted upon temple firewood beams, adorned with golden essence, joined with sound, circle, and drop, illuminated by the mothers and the Lord. At the front of the mothers stands Virabhadra, riding a bull, four-faced and awe-inspiring. Beside him is Gauri, two-armed and three-eyed, bearing a trident and a mirror. She also holds a water pot, a pitcher, and grants boons, being four-armed. Lalita stands upon a lotus, with Skanda’s attendants holding a mirror-rod for her. Chandika appears ten-handed, bearing sword, trident, and a spear for slaying enemies; in her left hands she holds a serpent-noose, a hide, a goad, and an axe. Thus, the assembly of divine beings and their retinues, radiant and powerful, stand revealed in all their glory, each fulfilling their appointed role in the cosmic order.