In ancient times, the great sage Ushanas, along with Sanatkumara and other foremost sages, worshipped the supreme soul with deep reverence. Among those assembled were the illustrious Angiras and the leading divine sages, the renowned Gandharva Vishvavasu, and the celebrated Narada and Parvata. The air was filled with beauty and auspiciousness, as hosts of Apsaras gathered in great numbers, while a gentle wind carried pure and exquisite fragrances. All around, trees blossomed with flowers of every season, and the assembly included Vidyadharas, Sadhyas, Siddhas, and devoted ascetics. Together, they worshipped Mahadeva, the Lord of all Creatures, as well as other beings of diverse forms. Fierce Rakshasas and mighty Pisachas, bold and of many shapes, stood present, armed with various weapons. The divine attendants of the Lord, radiant like fire, were there as well, and among them stood the blessed Nandishvara, with the god’s approval. Mahadeva himself stood resplendent, holding his blazing trident and shining with his own radiance. By his side was Ganga, the best of rivers, born from the sacred waters of all holy fords. O best of the twice-born, Ganga worshipped the Lord in his visible form, and thus Mahadeva was honored there by gods and sages alike. Amidst the gathering of all the greatly fortunate gods, Mahadeva stood, and then, at an auspicious moment, Daksha, the lord of creatures, arrived. Daksha had resolved to perform a grand sacrifice, following the ancient rites, and at his call, all the gods led by Indra assembled for the occasion. They descended from their heavenly abodes, approaching Daksha in radiant, blazing chariots. With the god’s consent, the assembled hosts made their way to the gateway of the Ganga, as tradition recounts—a place crowded with Gandharvas and Apsaras, adorned with various trees and vines. There, surrounded by sages and perfected beings, Daksha, the foremost upholder of dharma, presided, together with those dwelling on earth, in the sky, and in the heavenly realms. All, with joined palms, approached the Lord of Creatures: the Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Sadhyas, and the entire host of Maruts. All the recipients of the sacrificial offerings had come, including Vishnu himself: the Ushmapas, Dhumapas, Ajyapas, and the Somapas. The Ashvins and Maruts, along with various groups of gods and many other hosts of beings, likewise arrived. All beings born from womb, egg, sweat, and sprout, all sacrificers, gods, women, and sages gathered together. They shone brilliantly, standing in their chariots, blazing like fires. Witnessing this grand assembly, the sage Dadhichi, filled with anger, spoke out: “A man incurs great sin, without doubt, by honoring the unworthy and by failing to honor those who are worthy.” Having declared this, Dadhichi addressed Daksha directly: “Why do you not worship the Lord of Creatures, who alone is worthy of honor? There are many Rudras of mine, bearing tridents and matted hair, established in eleven places; we know no other great lord than him. For all, there is but one mantra; yet my lord is not invited. As I see it, beyond Shankara, I recognize no other deity. Thus, Daksha's grand sacrifice will not succeed. “Various shares have been allotted to Vishnu and likewise to the Rudras; other gods, too, have their portions. I distribute shares, but not to Shankara.” Hearing this, the gods, now aware of the situation, went to the daughter of the mountain king—Uma. She spoke these words to Sharva, the Lord, the master of all creatures: “O blessed one, where are these gods, led by Indra, headed? Tell me truly, knower of truth; a great doubt has arisen in me.” Shiva replied, “Daksha, O greatly fortunate one, is the eminent lord of creatures; he is performing a horse sacrifice, and the heavenly beings are going there.” Uma asked, “O greatly fortunate one, why do you not attend this sacrifice? By what prohibition is your presence not permitted?” Shiva answered, “O greatly fortunate one, all this has been arranged by the gods alone. In all sacrifices of mine, no share has ever been allotted to me. One must follow the previously established path; the gods do not grant me a rightful share of the sacrifice.” Uma, her heart full of devotion, said, “O blessed one, among all gods you surpass in power and virtue; you are unconquerable, unassailable, radiant, renowned, and glorious. By this exclusion from the share, O greatly fortunate one, I have suffered great sorrow, and this trembling is immense. What gift, discipline, or austerity should I perform, so that my lord today might obtain a share in the sacrifice, among Indra and the other gods?” Shiva replied, “I know, O wide-eyed one, through meditation, and all the virtuous know as well; but today, through your delusion, along with Indra and the gods, all three worlds are destroyed. They praise me as lord of the sacrifice; they sing the Rathantara Sāma for me; the Brahmins worship me with Brahma-mantras; my priests prepare my share. Yet you boast like an ordinary person in the assembly of all women; you praise yourself out of pride—there is no doubt. O goddess of the gods, I do not praise myself as you do; O lovely one, for the sake of the share, I will protect you.” Having spoken thus to his beloved wife Uma, most dear even to his life, the blessed Lord created, from his mouth, a being born of the fire of his wrath. He commanded him: “Go to the sacrifice. You are Maheshvara of Daksha; swiftly destroy his ritual, with my permission.