With reverence and devotion, the ritual began. The practitioner, mindful of sacred order, invited all the mantra-bearers, skull-bearers, and attendants, calling them together in the morning to witness the investiture of the sacred thread. With humility, he vowed before the Supreme Lord to observe the discipline as commanded, invoking the divine presence and transforming his very breath into nectar through sacred recitation. He uttered the root mantra ending with ‘Śiva,’ offering it with devotion to Lord Śiva. Through japa, hymns, and prostrations, he sought forgiveness from Śambhu, acknowledging any faults or lapses. The third part of the oblation was then offered into the fire of Śiva, dedicated as well to the guardians of the directions, the lords of the quarters, and the revered groups of ancestral mothers. With each act, he proclaimed obeisance and svāhā to the Rudras and the guardians of the sacred field, offering to the lords of the quarters in the east, beginning with the elephants of the directions, to the field itself, and to Agni. He continued with oblations: “Om, to Agni, svāhā; svāhā to Soma as well; Om, to Agni and Soma, svāhā; and to Agni Sviṣṭakṛt, likewise.” When these four offerings were complete, he performed the joining of the worship—honoring the deity at the fire-pit and Śiva at the maṇḍala. Following the prescribed method, he united the channels, placing the offerings in a vessel of bamboo or similar material, and invoked the astra mantra at the heart. Whether using sacred threads or his digits, he recited the mantras, applying the six limbs and root mantras to sanctify the heart, armor, and weapon. Wrapping the offering with threads and worshipping with mantras arising from the limbs, he dedicated it to the Lord of the universe for protection, bowing deeply with devotion. He adorned the ritual with flowers, incense, and other offerings, placing the sacred thread upon the treatise. Then, with respect, he approached the teacher’s feet and presented the pavitraka with heartfelt devotion. Stepping outside, he performed purification in three circles made of cow dung, worshipping in order with pañcagavya, curd, and cleansing agents. Purified and attuned to mantra, he sang hymns and maintained a vigil through the night, finally resting within, remembering the Lord, and desiring only simple food, lying on a bed of sacred darbha grass. In the same way, even one seeking liberation would lie down, fasting and focusing the mind, upon a bed of pure ashes. At dawn, as instructed by the Lord, the practitioner rose, bathed, and composed himself. After performing the sandhyā worship, he entered the sacrificial pavilion. Without dismissing the deities, he took the pavitras and placed them in a clean vessel in the northeast, upon the prepared altar. Only then did he dismiss the Lord of the gods and remove the used offerings, placing two kamathas on the clean ground for the day, just as before. At the sun’s door, in each direction, at the guardians’ pots, at the Lord’s place, at Śiva’s station, and at the sacred fire, he performed the special, extensive ritual worship. He offered libations for the mantras, performed expiatory oblations with the arrow-soul, and after completing one hundred and eight recitations, he gently offered the full oblation. The pavitra was then offered to the sun, and, after self-purification, also to the doorkeepers, the guardians of the directions, and the pot-increasers. Seated in his own place before Śambhu, he offered the pavitra to himself, to the gaṇa, to the teacher, and to the fire. With devotion, he addressed the Lord: “O Supreme Soul of time, whatever has been desired in my rite—whether done or left undone, afflicted or concealed, accomplished or not—let all that be purified by your will, O Śambhu, through this pavitra.” He prayed that whatever had been omitted, done without mantra, ritual, or proper substance, whatever lacked recitation or offering, whatever was incomplete—let all be sanctified by the Lord’s grace. He entreated the Supreme Lord to grant purity, sanctity, and the destruction of all sin, knowing that by the Lord’s power, the entire world, both moving and unmoving, is purified. Any vow broken through negligence or error, he asked to be unified and woven together by the Lord’s command. After offering recitation and composing a hymn with devotion, he bowed and accepted the discipline as instructed by the guru, whether for four months, three months, three days, or even a single day. With humility, he sought forgiveness from the Lord, then approached the altar, even in the presence of Śiva established in the fire, understanding that thus are the four purifications accomplished. Placing and worshipping with flowers, incense, rice, and other offerings, he presented the inner oblation and purification to Rudra and the other deities. Entering within, he praised Śiva with prostrations and sought forgiveness once more. He performed the expiatory offering and presented rice pudding. Gently, he offered the full oblation and released Śiva, who had been established in the fire. With sacred utterances, he completed the final offering and softly extinguished the fire. At the conclusion, four more oblations were given to Agni and others, followed by the purification and the external offering to the guardians of the directions, thus fulfilling the sacred rite in all its purity and completeness.