Salutations were offered to Mahādeva, the wondrous and multifaceted lord, immeasurable in his greatness, both the source and the result of all creation. Praise was given to the Supreme Person, to the fulfiller of the Person’s will, and to the one who brings about the union of the Person with the highest quality. Homage was paid to the initiator of both nature and the person, to the doer of all that is done and yet to be done, and to the giver of union with the fruits of action. The gods honored him as the knower and regulator of time, the maker of diversity, and the bestower of the qualities’ functions. With reverence, they addressed him as lord of the lords of gods, creator of all beings, Śiva with the gentle face, and prayed that he remain gentle for them to behold. Thus, praised by all the gods, the blessed lord, husband of Umā and master of the worlds, spoke kindly to the immortals: “O gods, I am easily seen and gentle in nature. Choose a boon, for I will grant it to you swiftly and without doubt.” The gods, bowing before the three-eyed one, replied, “O blessed one, let this boon remain in your hand; when the need arises, you may grant us the boon we desire.” Śiva agreed, saying, “So be it,” and, having dismissed the gods, he entered his own abode together with his hosts, the Pramathas, and with all the worlds. It was said that whoever recites or sings this wondrous festival of Hari before the gods and brahmins attains happiness after death, becoming equal to the great lord of hosts. Whoever hears or repeats this hymn is honored by the gods in all worlds, just 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 the god. This wicked one, lowest of his lineage and of evil mind, who tormented all the worlds and whose form cloaked all his limbs, caused obstacles for the sages and their vows. He appeared in the guise of Cakra, accompanied by Rati. But the lord of the gods, wishing to punish this aggressor, fixed his third eye upon him, casting a glance of disdain. From that eye, fire arose, garlanded with thousands of flames, and at once burned up Rati’s husband and his attendants. Burning and afflicted, Manmatha cried out in pain, seeking the god’s mercy, and fell to the ground, unconscious, his body consumed by fire. Rati, his wife, stricken with grief, lamented piteously and earnestly begged the goddess and the god for compassion. Seeing her sorrow and knowing her devotion, the two gods, full of mercy, comforted her and spoke gently: “O blessed one, he is burned and will not be reborn here; yet, even without a body, he will accomplish all his tasks. But when the blessed Viṣṇu, son of Vasudeva, is born, his son will become your husband.” Receiving this boon, Kāmā’s wife, her face radiant and her sorrow gone, joyfully departed to her desired place. After burning Kāmā, the bull-bannered god rejoiced together with Umā on Mount Himālaya. They delighted in beautiful caves, lotus-filled ponds, grottos, sparkling waterfalls, and forests of yellow-flowered trees. They wandered on lovely riverbanks frequented by Kinnaras, on the peaks of the king of mountains, and in lakes and pools. In delightful groves resounding with the songs of many birds, at holy fords of sacred waters, and in the hermitages of sages, the three-eyed god enjoyed himself with the goddess. These sacred and beautiful places were adorned by Vidyādharas and attended by Gandharvas, Yakṣas, and celestial beings. Surrounded by gods with Indra, sages, Yakṣas, Siddhas, Gandharvas, Vidyādharas, chief Daityas, and many diverse beings, Śaṃbhu found joy on the mountain. There, Apsarases danced, the lords of gods sang, the Gandharva hosts played divine instruments, and many swiftly praised the best of gods. Thus, accompanied by his powerful hosts—equal to Indra, Yama, and Agni—Śiva did not leave the mountain at that time, for he delighted in pleasing the goddess, he who had destroyed Bhaga’s eye. Standing there with the goddess, the blessed destroyer of desire performed various acts, causing laughter among his hosts of many forms for the goddess’s pleasure. He delighted the goddess, whose forehead bore the crescent moon, and enjoyed the company of noble, wise, and auspicious beings who could assume any form. Then, the supreme goddess approached her mother, who was seated on a wondrous, shining golden seat. Seeing Satī arrive in her divine form, Menā, beloved of Himavat, honored her faultless daughter with a splendid seat and spoke to her. “After a long time you have come today, O daughter with auspicious eyes. Tell me, are you poor in amusements, though you are united with your husband in play? Those who are poor and without shelter, O Umā, play in such a way as your husband does, O auspicious one.” Thus addressed by her mother, Umā was not pleased, but with great patience she said nothing. Released by her mother, she went to the god and spoke to him.