Salutations were offered to the great Lord Śiva, the destroyer of Dakṣa’s sacrifice, who removed a lock of Kṛṣṇa’s hair, who struck out the eye of Bhaga and took Pūṣan’s tooth. Praise was given to him who wields the bow, spear, sword, and club; to Kālakāla, the one with the third eye. The gods honored the destroyer of death, the mountain-dweller, the golden-seeded one adorned with earrings. They bowed to the one who shatters the discipline of demons, the guru of yogis, whose eyes are the moon and sun, and who bears the eye on his forehead. Salutations flowed to him who delights in cremation grounds, who grants boons there, the lord of the gods, again and again to Tryambaka. The gods revered him as both householder and ascetic, with matted locks, half-shaven or fully shaven, lord of creatures all. They praised him who is heated in the waters, the bestower of yogic powers, the peaceful, restrained maker of creation and dissolution. They saluted the giver of grace and sustenance, Rudra, the Vasus, the Ādityas, and the Aśvins. Salutations were offered to the father, to Sāṃkhya, to Viśvedeva; to Śarva, the fierce one, to Śiva, the giver of boons. They honored the formidable one, the commander, pure lord of creatures, destroyer of enemies, and Sadyojāta. They praised Mahādeva, the wondrous and manifold, the chief, the immeasurable, both effect and cause. Salutations were offered to the Person, the fulfiller of the Person’s will, the one who unites the Person with the chief quality. They bowed to the initiator of both nature and the person, the doer of all acts, the giver of union with the fruit. They praised the knower of time, the regulator, the maker of diversity, and the one who bestows the functions of the qualities. “Salutations to you, lord of the lords of gods, creator of beings; O Śiva, with gentle face, be gentle to us, O Lord.” Thus, as all the gods praised him, the blessed lord of the world, husband of Umā, spoke to the immortals: “O gods, I am easily seen and gentle; choose a boon, for I will grant it to you without delay.” The gods, bowing, addressed the three-eyed one: “O blessed one, let this boon remain with you; when the need arises, you will grant us what we desire.” Śiva replied, “So be it,” and, dismissing the gods, entered his own abode with the Pramathas and all the worlds. It was said that whoever recites this wondrous festival of Hari before gods and brahmins, being equal to the unmatched lord of hosts, shall attain happiness after leaving the body. Whoever hears or recites this hymn is honored by the gods in all worlds, like the king of immortals. When the god had entered his house and was seated upon an excellent seat, Manmatha, crooked and cruel, became intent on striking him. That wicked one, joined with misconduct and evil mind, lowest of his lineage, tormented all worlds and covered his form over all his limbs. He, who caused obstacles for sages and their vows, appeared in the form of Cakra, accompanied by Rati. The lord of gods, wishing to strike the aggressor, cast a disdainful glance from his third eye upon Manmatha. From that eye arose fire, bearing thousands of garlands of flames, and at once it burned up Rati’s husband and his attendants. Burning and afflicted, Manmatha cried out piteously, seeking to appease the god, and fell to the ground. Consumed by fire, the tormentor of the worlds fell unconscious in an instant. His wife, Rati, deeply distressed, lamented bitterly and, stricken with sorrow, earnestly begged the goddess and the god for compassion. Knowing her pain, the two gods, full of mercy, comforted her and spoke: “O blessed one, he is burned and will not be reborn here; yet, even without a body, he will accomplish all his tasks. When the blessed Viṣṇu, son of Vasudeva, is born, his son will become your husband.” Receiving this boon, Rati’s face shone with joy, and she departed happily to her desired place, her sorrow gone. After burning Kāmadeva, the bull-bannered god rejoiced with Umā on Mount Himālaya. In beautiful caves, lotus-filled ponds, grottos, delightful waterfalls, and forests of yellow-blossomed trees, on lovely riverbanks frequented by Kinnaras, on mountain peaks, in lakes and pools, in delightful groves resounding with birds, at holy fords, and in sages’ hermitages, the three-eyed god enjoyed himself with the goddess. In those sacred and delightful places, adorned by Vidyādharas and attended by Gandharvas, Yakṣas, and celestial beings, the lord found joy. Surrounded by gods with Indra, sages, Yakṣas, Siddhas, Gandharvas, Vidyādharas, chief Daityas, and many other beings, Śaṃbhu rejoiced upon that great mountain.