Brahma, the lotus-eyed creator, listened attentively to the words spoken and then replied, his gaze serene and wise. He recalled a time when the ocean was churned by both gods and demons—a momentous event in the cosmos. As they churned, a terrible poison emerged, blazing fiercely like the fire that signals the end of the worlds. Brahma turned to Mahadeva, the great Shiva, and implored, “Drink this poison, O Mahadeva, for the welfare of all the worlds. None but you, mighty Lord, can withstand its dreadful force.” Mahadeva, accepting Brahma’s words, responded with grace, “So be it.” With resolve, he drank the most fearsome poison, a sight that struck fear into the hearts of the gods. As the poison settled within him, it left a mark on his throat, making it blue, like the petal of a lotus or as if a serpent clung there. Witnessing this act, Brahma, the grandsire of all worlds, spoke again. And, O daughter of the mountain, I listened to his words. From that moment, the Yakshas, Gandharvas, Bhutas, Pisachas, Nagas, and Rakshasas—all manner of supernatural beings—were present. When the assembly of gods and demons saw the poison being contained within Mahadeva, they were filled with wonder and awe. With hands joined in reverence, they addressed Shiva, who walked with the majestic grace of an intoxicated elephant. They exclaimed, “Your strength, valor, and prowess are astonishing! Your form and the power of your yoga, O Lord, are beyond comprehension. Truly, you alone are Vishnu, you are Brahma the four-faced, you are Death, and you are the bestower of boons. You alone are fire, wind, earth, and water.” Soon, all the gods arrived in celestial chariots, swift as the wind, and gathered at the great mountain Meru. They recognized that this tale was a supreme secret, most holy among the holy, and truly great. This story, spoken by Svayambhū himself, destroys sin. Now, let me declare the fruits of this tale, vast and magnificent. 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 bears a tawny beard, a blue throat, and hair adorned by the moon. He is as strong and radiant as Nandi, possessing valor equal to Nandi. His progress cannot be hindered, just as the wind moves freely in the sky. By my devotion, O lovely one, and for those who listen, the Brahmin attains the Veda, the Kshatriya obtains the earth. The afflicted are freed from disease, the bound are released from captivity. Lost wealth is recovered, both in this world and the next. A mortal attains these fruits by hearing this divine and wondrous tale. But whoever always upholds it goes to the world of Rudra. Whoever recites it daily, with a mind absorbed in me, and, O Goddess, recites it with devotion and inspires others to recite it, obstacles will arise in the house where this hymn is present. This hymn, endowed with the fruits of merit, has been composed by the Four-Faced One himself. With me, beloved of the cave, he went to the cave of Kailāsa, riding on the bull. Having studied all of it, complete with its characteristics, the best of the twice-born attains the solar realm. The assembled ones then said, “We wish to hear in full the detailed account of your majesty and virtues.