May the Lord, the witness of all, the inner soul of every being, master of all arts, and knower of my innermost thoughts—the enemy of Smara—show me compassion. It was Purāri, the moon-crested Lord, who, having conquered the guardians of the directions and worshipped by the gods, shook Kailāsa itself. When the ten-headed Rāvaṇa pressed Kailāsa down to the netherworld with just his thumb, it was Purāri who responded. Once, when a devotee’s body was mangled, the Lord laughed together with the goddess and granted a boon. Thus, even in anger, O Maheśvara, you remain gracious to the unworthy. Bāṇa performed the Sautrāmaṇī rite, worshipped Hari with unwavering devotion, and became renowned for his splendid and delightful worship of the moon-crested Lord. After defeating his enemies, worshipping the hosts of gods, and bowing to his teacher, Viśākha became angry upon seeing Gaṇanātha seated on his lap. Soma, seeing this, laughed as he lifted the boy up. Though the child was mounted on Īśāna, he did not leave his mother’s lap by nature. Even Soma could not pacify the angry boy, so he obtained the state of being half-defeated. Then, the self-born one, well pleased, addressed 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 from the gods in detail about their destruction, O Lord, I am overwhelmed by grief and anger and cannot 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.” The Lord responded, “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 was unable. He said to Śaṅkara, “I am not able.” Śaṅkara replied, “Practice austerity, child. When you see the third eye, you will obtain your desired boon—there is no doubt.” Hearing these words, the righteous son of Dadhīci resolved to undertake austerity and remained there for many years. Though still a child, he devoted himself solely to meditation on Śiva, becoming strong. Each day at dawn, he bathed and bowed to his teachers in order. Sitting comfortably, steadying his mind in the suṣumnā, with undistracted focus and hands in the svastika posture at his navel, he forgot the cycle of rebirth. He contemplated the supreme glory of Śambhu, moving from one state to another, until he beheld the third eye of the Lord. With joined palms, reverent and humble, 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—everything you desire will be fulfilled. Therefore, grant me that which will serve as the cause for the destruction of my enemies.” Then the Pippalā trees and the great Vaḍavā spoke: “Your mother, who has gone to heaven, prophesied this for you.” Men absorbed in harming others, forgetful of their own welfare, wander here and there with confused minds and fall into the gates of hell. Hearing his mother’s words, Pippalāda became angry; pride burned within him, and praise from the virtuous became meaningless. Suddenly, a witch emerged from his eye, demanding, “Give me, give me!” Remembering Vaḍavā, the sage replied, and the witch took on the form of Vaḍavā. She was pregnant with intense fire, radiant, bearing a child, and was the mother of Pippalāda. By meditation and yoga, the witch was born, carrying fire within; she appeared fierce and terrifying, like Death with a protruding tongue. She spoke to Pippalāda: “Tell me, what should I do?” He replied, “Devour the gods, my enemies.” She accepted, saying “So be it,” and seized Pippalāda standing before her. He asked, “What is this, witch?” She replied, “It is as you commanded.” The gods created a body for her. Frightened, Pippalāda went to Śiva, praised the god, and Śiva then addressed the witch: “Do not seize the living beings who dwell within a yojana, by my command. Therefore, go far away, witch, and perform your task elsewhere.” From the Pippalā tīrtha, before Pippalāda, the witch in the form of Vaḍavā departed as many yojanas as counted, created by the sage. Within her arose a great fire, capable of destroying worlds. Seeing this, all the gods were terrified and approached Śambhu. They praised Śambhu, lord of the wheel and Pippalā, pleased by Pippalāda, and the dwellers of heaven, fearful in mind, addressed Śambhu: “Protect us, Śambhu! The witch torments us, and her fire threatens. Be our refuge, lord of all, giver of fearlessness to the frightened. For all who are insulted, distressed, and weary in mind, for every creature, you alone are the refuge, Śiva. The witch, requested by the sage, emerged from your eye as fire; she seeks to destroy the three worlds. You are our protector, none other.” The Lord of the universe spoke to those dwelling within a yojana: “That action does not trouble you; therefore, you gods, remain here day and night. You need not fear it.” Again, the lords of the gods said to the master: “You have granted us heaven; how, then, revered one, shall we dwell here, abandoning that realm worshipped by the gods?” Hearing the words of the gods, Shiva then spoke: “That god is the all-seeing, the god whose face is everywhere, who always shines with rays, who is regarded as the creator.