Once, the demon Vṛkāsura, inspired by tales of Ravana and Bana—who had gained immense power through their praises and boons from Lord Shiva, only to later fall into great distress—decided to seek such favor himself. Guided by instructions, Vṛkāsura hastened to Shiva, offering pieces of his own flesh as oblations into the mouth of Hara, who is fire incarnate. For seven days, he performed this severe penance, but when Shiva did not appear, despair overtook him. In a final act of desperation, Vṛkāsura took a sharp blade and cut off his own head, his hair soaked at that sacred place. Moved by great compassion, Shiva—also called Dhurjati—acted swiftly, restraining the demon from falling, restoring his form to one even more splendid than before, much like fire springing forth from a flame. Shiva then spoke: “Enough, Angala! Choose any boon you desire; I will grant it to you. I am pleased even by the simplest offerings from those who surrender, but you have tormented yourself excessively and in vain.” Vṛkāsura, sinful in intent, asked for a boon that would terrorize all beings: “Let anyone whose head I touch with my hand die instantly.” Though displeased, Lord Rudra laughed and granted the boon, uttering “Om,” much as nectar is given to a serpent. Immediately, Vṛkāsura sought to test his power, attempting to place his hand on Shiva’s own head. Shiva, realizing the peril, withdrew in fear. The demon pursued him relentlessly; Shiva, trembling, fled across heaven and earth, to the boundaries of the quarters, and even into the waters. The gods, unable to find any remedy, sat in silence. Shiva, still pursued, made his way to Vaikuntha, the radiant realm beyond darkness, where Narayana himself abides—the supreme goal of renunciants and the peaceful who have laid down their staff, a place from which none return. Seeing Shiva so afflicted, the Lord Narayana, destroyer of evil, approached from afar, assuming the form of a young Brahmachari by his yogic power. Wearing a belt, deerskin, and staff, blazing with radiance, and holding kusa grass, he greeted Shiva respectfully and humbly. The Blessed Lord said, “O son of Shakuni, you appear exhausted—have you come from afar? Rest for a moment, for this self is the fulfiller of all desires. If your purpose is not too secret for us to hear, O mighty one, please tell it; for generally, men seek to achieve their own aims through others.” Thus questioned by the Lord, whose words were like nectar, Shiva’s fatigue vanished and he recounted everything that had transpired. The Blessed Lord then said, “If this is so, then we will not believe the words of one who, by Daksha’s curse, has attained a demonic state and is lord of ghosts and spirits. If you truly have faith there, O lord of the Dānavas, in the Teacher of the Universe, then, dear one, quickly place your hand on your own head and let it be proven. If the words of Śambhu are in any way untrue, O best of Dānavas, then abandon him as a speaker of falsehood, for one who speaks lies should not be followed again.” Confused by the Lord’s clever and artful words, Vṛkāsura lost all sense of himself and foolishly placed his own hand upon his head. Instantly, his head split and he fell, struck down like a felled ox. The heavens erupted with cries of “Victory!” “Homage!” and “Well done!” Showers of flowers rained down as the wicked Vṛkāsura was slain; gods, sages, ancestors, and gandharvas rejoiced, and Shiva was freed from distress. The Supreme Person addressed the liberated Lord of the Mountain: “O great god, O divine one, this wicked one has been destroyed by his own evil. O Lord, who among the great beings, having committed sin, can survive? What to say, O Lord of the Universe, if one offends the Teacher of the World?” Whoever recounts or hears this deliverance of Shiva by the Supreme Self, Hari, whose power is unfathomable, is freed from the cycles of birth and death, as are their enemies. *** Later, on the banks of the Sarasvati, a group of sages gathered to perform a sacrifice. Among them arose a debate: “Of the three Lords—Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu—who is the greatest?” Eager to know the truth, they sent Bhṛgu, son of Brahma, to ascertain it. Bhṛgu first went to Brahma’s assembly. There, as a test, Bhṛgu did not offer obeisance or praise. Brahma became angry, blazing with his own brilliance. Yet, as master of himself, Brahma restrained the anger that had arisen within, holding it back as the progenitor holds back fire with water from his own source. Bhṛgu then traveled to Mount Kailāsa, where Maheśvara, joyful, rose to embrace his brother. But Bhṛgu did not wish to return the embrace, thinking him disrespectful. Shiva’s eyes blazed with anger, and he raised his trident to kill Bhṛgu. Falling at Shiva’s feet, the goddess soothed him with gentle words. Bhṛgu then proceeded to Vaikuṇṭha, where Janārdana, Lord Vishnu, resides. Bhṛgu struck the Lord, who was lying with Lakṣmī upon his chest, with his foot. The Lord, refuge of the virtuous, rose together with Lakṣmī, descended from his bed, bowed his head to the sage and said, “Welcome, O Brāhmaṇa, please be seated for a moment; O Lord, forgive us who did not know of your arrival. Purify me, along with the world and its guardians devoted to me, with the water that has washed your feet, O maker of holy places among the holy. Today, O Lord, I have become the exclusive recipient of Lakṣmī’s favor; prosperity, freed from sin by the touch of Your feet, will dwell upon my chest.” As Bhṛgu listened to Vishnu’s gentle words, he became deeply satisfied, fulfilled, silent, overwhelmed with devotion, and tears filled his eyes. Returning to the assembly of sages devoted to Brahman, Bhṛgu described everything he had directly experienced. Hearing this, the sages were astonished and free from doubt; they placed even greater faith in Vishnu, from whom peace and fearlessness arise. For from Him arises dharma itself, along with knowledge and renunciation, eightfold sovereignty, and fame that removes the impurities of the self.