In reverent praise, Brahma addressed the supreme Lord, offering salutations to the foremost, the fierce, the wise, and the one with many eyes. He bowed to the eternal, the non-eternal, and the one who is both eternal and non-eternal. Brahma honored the conceivable, the inconceivable, and the one who is both conceivable and inconceivable. He paid homage to the beloved of Umā, to Śarva, and to the one marked with the face of Nandi. He saluted the one of many forms, the shaven-headed, the staff-bearer, and the armored one; the archer, the charioteer, the controller, and the celibate. Having thus praised the Lord with devotion, Brahma bowed to the one with the beautiful face and declared, “You are subtle, O Rudra, inconceivable through your supreme yoga. Truly, O Lord, you do not assume a manifest form.” The Lord responded, “I have been praised with hymns arising from the Vedas and their branches.” Then Brahma acknowledged him as the Lord of past, future, and present, the Lord of the worlds, the Master of the universe. Upon hearing these words, Brahma, lotus-eyed, spoke again: “When the ocean was churned by the gods and demons, O lotus-eyed one, a terrible poison emerged, blazing like the fire of dissolution. For the welfare of the worlds, O Mahadeva, drink that poison. Except for you, O Mahadeva, none can withstand its force.” Mahadeva, the beautiful-faced one, accepted Brahma’s words, saying, “So be it.” He drank the most dreadful poison, which caused fear among the gods. As he drank, the poison settled in his throat, appearing like a lotus petal, as if a serpent clung to his neck. Then the mighty Brahma, grandsire of the worlds, spoke again. Hearing his words, Mahadeva addressed the daughter of the mountain, Parvati, and spoke of the Yakshas, Gandharvas, Bhutas, Pisachas, Nagas, and Rakshasas. When the assembly of gods and demons saw the poison established in Mahadeva’s throat, they were filled with great wonder. With hands joined in reverence, they spoke: “O you who walk like a proud, intoxicated elephant, your strength, your valor, and your prowess are astonishing. Indeed, your form and the power of your yoga, O Lord, are beyond comprehension. You alone are Viṣṇu, you are the four-faced Brahmā, you are Death, and the bestower of boons. You alone are fire, you are wind, you alone are earth, and you are water.” Arriving in celestial chariots, propelled by the speed of the wind, all reached the great mountain Meru. There, Brahma declared, “This is the supreme secret, most holy among the holy, and great. This tale, spoken by Svayambhū himself, destroys sin. I shall now declare its fruit, vast and great. When it touches the body, O beautiful-hipped one, it immediately wards off harm. One attains favor among women and in the assembly of the king. He travels safely on the road and enjoys constant prosperity at home.” He described the one with tawny beard, blue throat, and hair marked by the moon. He is as strong and radiant as Nandi, and possesses valor equal to Nandi. His progress cannot be hindered, just as the wind moves freely in the sky. By Brahma’s devotion, and for those who listen, the Brahmin attains the Veda, the Kṣatriya obtains the earth. The afflicted are freed from disease, the bound are released from captivity. Lost wealth is recovered, both in this world and in the next. Thus ends the tale, full of wonder and blessings, spoken with reverence and devotion for the welfare of all.