O revered sages, listen to the ancient tale as it was spoken for the peace of all beings. The intense heat that rests upon the crest is meant for serpents, for the mountain rocks, and for the substance known as shilajatu. Different elements have their own guardians and influences: nīlikā belongs to the waters, nirmoka to the serpents, khoraka to the saurabheyas, and ūkhara is for the earth itself. Among living creatures, various flaws and afflictions manifest in their own ways. Even among dogs, those who understand dharma may find their vision clouded; for horses, a certain flaw enters through the nostrils; for peacocks, it is the splitting of their crests. In cuckoos, it appears as redness of the eyes; for great souls, it is aversion; among people, division is spoken of, affecting all as tradition has taught. For parrots, hiccups are said to occur; for tigers, fever and fatigue are mentioned, O wise ones. And among humans, this fever is well known—it arises at birth, at death, and dwells throughout the span of life. This fever is none other than the mighty energy of Maheśvara, fierce and powerful. He, the Lord, is to be worshipped and honored by all living beings. Whoever, with steady mind and focused heart, recites the origin of this fever is freed from disease, attains happiness, and receives all the blessings and objects he desires. Whoever praises or listens to this hymn, as spoken by Dakṣa, finds only auspiciousness, gains long life, and is untouched by misfortune. Just as among all the gods, the blessed Bhava is supreme, so too is this hymn, created by Dakṣa, the foremost among hymns. Those who seek fame, heaven, sovereignty, wealth, or victory should recite it with devotion; those who desire knowledge should do so with diligence. If a person is afflicted by disease, suffering, poverty, or seized by fear—or even engaged in royal duties—he is freed from great fear by this hymn. Through Maheśvara and his Gaṇas, happiness is granted in this very life, and one may even become a lord among the Gaṇas. No Yakṣas, Piśācas, Nāgas, or Vināyakas can create obstacles in the house where Bhava is praised. If a woman hears this with devotion and is absorbed in Bhava, she becomes honored in both her father’s and husband’s families. Whoever hears or recites this teaching again and again finds all his undertakings succeed without hindrance; whatever he thinks or speaks is accomplished through the repeated recitation of this hymn. After offering oblations to the god Saguha, the goddess, and Nandīśvara, with self-restraint and discipline, one should then perform the rite and quickly utter their names in order. By this, a person gains wealth, pleasure, and all enjoyments. Even if one departs this world, he attains heaven, surrounded by a thousand women, endowed with every pleasure, even if he had been burdened with sins. One who recites the hymn composed by Dakṣa is freed from all sins, and after death, attains union with Shiva’s attendants, honored by gods and demons alike. He shines forth, riding in a celestial chariot drawn by a bull, and remains established as a follower of Rudra until the end of creation. Thus spoke the venerable Vyasa, son of Parashara, the master. This is a supreme secret, known to none and not to be revealed to all. Even those born in so-called sinful lineages—Vaishyas, women, and Shudras—upon hearing this supreme secret, attain the realm of Rudra. And whoever recites it to Brahmins on sacred occasions, that twice-born surely attains Rudra’s abode—there is no doubt. Having heard this tale, which destroys sin and arose from Rudra’s wrath, the foremost sages listened as Vyasa spoke, and the twice-born rejoiced. They heard of Parvati’s anger, the unbearable wrath of Shambhu, the birth of Virabhadra, and the origin of Bhadrakali. They learned of the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice, the wondrous might of Shambhu, and the mercy shown by the great-souled Daksha. They heard of Rudra’s share in the sacrifice, the fruits of Daksha’s ritual, and were repeatedly delighted, amazed, and pleased. The twice-born then asked Vyasa to tell them more, to complete the story. Thus questioned, Vyasa began to speak once more, now of the sacred Ekamra field. Having heard the auspicious tale spoken by Brahma, the foremost sages praised it, their hearts thrilled and their hairs standing on end. They exclaimed, “Ah! The greatness of god Shambhu has been proclaimed by you, as well as the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice, O best of gods. Now, please tell us of the excellent field of Ekamra; our curiosity is immense.” Hearing their words, four-faced Brahma, lord of the worlds, spoke: “That field of Shambhu upon earth is the destroyer of all evil deeds. Listen, O tiger among sages, I shall briefly describe the most auspicious field, which removes all sins and is exceedingly rare. “It is adorned with millions of lingas, equal in sanctity to Varanasi, auspicious and renowned as Ekamra, endowed with eight holy bathing places. In ancient times, there stood the Ekamra tree, O best of the twice-born; from its name, the field is known as Ekamra. “This place is filled with joyful and prosperous people, men and women together, abundant with learned assemblies, and rich in wealth and grain. The city is crowded with houses and gateways, adorned with three-arched entrances, filled with merchants of every kind, and beautified by precious gems of many sorts. It is furnished with lofty towers and turrets, splendidly decorated with chariots, and graced by shining palaces that resemble royal swans.” Thus, O sages, was the glory of fever, the power of Maheśvara, the fruits of Dakṣa’s hymn, and the magnificence of Ekamra revealed—ever sanctifying, ever wondrous for those who listen with faith.