In ancient times, there was a glorious king, the illustrious originator of the Lunar dynasty, who shone as the eldest and foremost among all the wise. It was in his sacred realm that King Ila performed auspicious sacrifices, regaining his manhood at that very place where his sons gathered around him. O Narada, know that this was a land blessed by the rivers, which, graced with the good fortune and auspiciousness of dance and song gifted by the Yakshini, merged with the holy Ganga. There, on both banks, lay sixteen thousand sacred and auspicious holy places, sanctified by the presence of Shambhu, Lord of Ila. Bathing in those waters or offering gifts there granted the merit of all sacrifices. This hallowed site became renowned as Cakra-tirtha, the destroyer of even the gravest sins such as brahminicide. It was here that the Lord of the Disc, the divine wielder of the discus, obtained his celestial weapon—where Hari himself, desiring the discus, worshipped Lord Shankara. Thus, this place was named Cakra-tirtha. Just by hearing the tale of this holy site, one is freed from all sins. It was during the time when Daksha commenced his grand sacrifice and the gods gathered together. However, Daksha, clouded in mind, failed to invite Shiva, Sharva, the great Lord, thereby tainting the assembly of gods. When Daksha's daughter learned the reason for Shiva's exclusion—words spoken by Ahalya—the queen of the gods was consumed by anger. “For this sin I could destroy my father; I cannot forgive the blame he has cast upon my husband,” she declared, her heart ablaze. She reflected, “For women who listen to slander of their husbands, what limit is there to their sin? A woman’s supreme destiny is bound to her husband. How much greater the sin when the Lord of all, Mahadeva, teacher of the world, is slandered! Having heard such words, I cannot bear this body any longer.” Thus, overwhelmed by intense anger and virtue, she resolved to abandon her body. With her mind fixed solely on Shiva, she forcefully left her body through the power of yoga. When the great Lord heard from Narada all that had transpired, he became enraged. He questioned his attendants, Jaya and Vijaya, who recounted the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice. Learning of the loss of Daksha’s daughter, Maheshvara set out for the sacrificial grounds, surrounded by fierce hosts and accompanied by the lords of spirits. The sacrifice was encircled by these formidable beings, with the gods and Brahma at the forefront, while Daksha, as officiating priest, guarded it with pure intent. Powerful sages, beginning with Vasishtha, stood as protectors, and Indra, Aditya, the Vasus, and others watched over it from all sides. The sacrifice was adorned with the sacred chants of the Rig, Yajur, and Sama Vedas, and the utterance of ‘svaha’ filled the air. Faith, nourishment, satisfaction, peace, modesty, and Sarasvati herself were present, as were Earth, heaven, night, forbearance, dawn, hope, victory, and wisdom. The great artisan Tvashtar had created divine beings for the sacrifice: Surabhi, Nandini, the wish-fulfilling cow, and Kamadhenu, the bestower of desires. The wish-granting tree Parijata and the Kalpa vine, along with other celestial creepers, were also present. All things most desired were there, and the sacrifice was protected by Maghavan (Indra), Pushan, and Hari (Vishnu). All around, voices rang out: “Let it be given, enjoyed, performed, or happily maintained!” Thus was Daksha’s sacrifice honored. But then, Virabhadra, accompanied by Bhadrakali, advanced, his heart seized by grief and anger. After them, the trident- and bow-wielding Lord himself appeared. Mahadeva came, adorned with great spirits, and his hosts surrounded the sacrifice. They began to lay waste to the proceedings, and a great tumult arose. Some fled in terror, while others sought refuge with Shiva. Some praised the Lord of gods, while others grew angry at Shankara. Seeing the sacrifice in ruins, Pushan approached, but Virabhadra, in his wrath, uprooted Pushan’s teeth, drove Indra away, and tore out Bhaga’s eyes. He seized the Sun, spun him around, and cast him down. In fear, all the gods fled to Vishnu for protection, crying, “Save us, save us, O wielder of the mace!” But as they pleaded, one of Maheshvara’s fierce attendants, a Pramatha, burned the entire Vaishnava portion of the sacrifice as Hari looked on. Hari, seeing the devastation, hurled his discus to slay the Lord of spirits—but the Lord of spirits caught the whirling discus in his hand. When Vishnu’s discus was seized, the guardians of the worlds fled in terror. Seeing the gods thus, Daksha, filled with devotion and longing for the fulfillment of his sacrifice, praised Shankara: “Victory to you, Shankara, Lord of Soma! Victory to you, all-knowing Shambhu! Victory to you, bearer of auspiciousness! Victory to you, embodiment of time—salutations! Salutations to you, primal creator, blue-throated one, beloved of Brahma, embodiment of Brahma! Salutations to you, god of three forms, supreme lord of three abodes, foundation of the three worlds, bestower of desires! Salutations to you, known through Vedanta, supreme self, embodiment and abode of sacrifice! Salutations to you, giver, carrier, and destroyer of sacrifice, and giver of fruits! Save us, Lord of the universe, lover of those who seek refuge! You alone are the refuge, for the devoted and undevoted alike!” As Daksha thus praised him, Maheshvara became pleased and said, “What shall I grant you?” Daksha replied, “Let my sacrifice be fulfilled, O Lord!