In the midst of the forest, a young boy, Pippalāda, pondered the mystery of his own existence. He wondered aloud, “Humans are born from humans, birds from birds, plants from seeds—there is no disparity in the world. But how is it that I, dwelling among trees, was born possessing hands, feet, and life?” Hearing his words, all the trees and herbs gathered together and recounted to him the events surrounding the death of Dadhichi, his father, and the virtuous woman’s entry into the fire. The gods, too, explained in detail how the bones of Dadhichi were collected. Overwhelmed by sorrow, Pippalāda fell to the ground in grief. The trees comforted him with gentle words, full of righteousness and purpose, reassuring him until he regained his composure. Then, filled with resolve, Pippalāda addressed the medicinal plants and trees: “I will slay the killers of my father; otherwise, I am not fit to live. A son follows both the friends and enemies of his father. He alone is truly a son; another, though appearing as a son, is considered an enemy. It is said that the friends of the father rescue even those who are hostile.” Hearing his determination, the trees took the boy and went to Soma, the lord of the plants. They reported Pippalāda’s words, and Soma, upon hearing them, spoke to him: “Receive, by my command, the complete knowledge in due form—accomplishment in austerity, auspicious speech, courage, beauty, strength, and wisdom, my son.” Pippalāda respectfully addressed Soma: “I consider all this to be in vain unless I make atonement for the slaying of my father. Therefore, tell me that first. O best of gods, in which place, at what time, with which deity, with what mantra, and at which sacred site will my intention be fulfilled?” After meditating for a long time, Soma replied: “Whether it is enjoyment or liberation, all arises from the great god Maheśvara—there is no doubt about this.” Pippalāda asked again, “How shall I see Maheśvara? I am a child, with the understanding of a child, and I do not have the capacity for such austerity.” Soma answered, “Go to the Gautamī river, dear one, and praise Hara, the lord of the discus. If the lord is pleased with you, O little one, he will be gracious with little effort. If pleased, the great god, the compassionate Śiva, will appear directly. Śambhu, manifest, abides there, revealed to the mighty Viṣṇu. He granted a boon to Viṣṇu and the discus worshipped by the gods. Go there, O wise one, to the Gautamī river in Daṇḍaka. The plants know that sacred place as Cakreśvara. Go there and praise Śaṅkara, the lord of gods, with all your heart; he, pleased in mind, my child, will grant you all desires.” Obeying the king’s command, the great sage Pippalāda went to where Rudra, the lord of the world and giver of the discus, was present. Moved by compassion for the boy, the pippala trees returned to their hermitages. After bathing in the Godāvarī river, Pippalāda bowed to the lord of the three worlds and, pure in heart, praised Śiva with all his being. He declared, “Renouncing all actions, the steadfast ones, having abandoned desires and conquered the mind and senses, strive for liberation and seek refuge in him. I bow to that primordial god Śambhu. May He, who is the witness of all, the inner soul of all beings, the Lord of all, the repository of all arts, who knows all that is in my mind—may that enemy of Smara show me compassion. Having conquered the guardians of the directions, and worshipped by the gods, he who shook Kailāsa—when the ten-headed one pressed it down to the netherworld with just his thumb, it was that very Purāri. Hearing the words of the one whose body was mangled, he laughed together with the goddess and granted the boon; thus, though angry, you are gracious even to the unworthy, O Maheśvara.” Pippalāda recalled the Sautrāmaṇī rite and the constant worship of Hari performed by Bāṇa, who became renowned for his splendid worship of the moon-crested Lord. He remembered Viśākha, who, after defeating his enemies and bowing to his teacher, became angry upon seeing Gaṇanātha seated on his lap, and Soma laughed as he lifted him up. Though mounted on Īśāna, the child did not leave his mother's lap; even Soma was unable to pacify the angry boy, and thus he obtained the state of being half-defeated. Then the self-born one, well pleased, spoke to Pippalāda: “Choose a boon, O blessed Pippalāda, whatever you desire.” Pippalāda replied, “My father, the illustrious Mahādeva, was killed by the gods; he was sincere and truthful, and my mother was devoted to her husband. Hearing in detail from the gods about their destruction, O Lord, I am overwhelmed by grief and anger and am unable to go on living. Therefore, grant me the power to destroy the gods, just as you, O moon-crested one, are invincible and unassailable in the three worlds.” Śiva said, “If you are able, O sinless one, to see my third eye, then you will be capable of cutting down the gods.” Pippalāda resolved in his mind to see the third eye of the Lord, but he was unable, so he said to Śaṅkara, “I am not able.” Śiva responded, “Practice austerity, child. When you see the third eye, then you will obtain your desired boon—there is no doubt of this.” Hearing these words, the righteous son of Dadhīci resolved to undertake austerity and remained there for many years. Though still a child, devoted solely to meditation on Śiva, he became strong. Every day, rising at dawn, he bathed and bowed to his teachers in order. Sitting comfortably, making his mind steady in the suṣumnā, with undistracted focus, placing his hands in the svastika posture at his navel, he forgot the cycle of rebirth. He contemplated the supreme glory of Śambhu, passing from one state to another, until Pippalāda beheld the third eye of the Lord. With palms joined in reverence and humility, he spoke: “Once, the god of gods, Śambhu, granted me a boon: whenever you see the light of the third eye, at that very moment—” The lord of the immortals had said, “Everything you desire will be fulfilled.” Therefore, Pippalāda prayed, “Grant me that which will serve as the cause for the destruction of my enemies.