Endowed with immeasurable brilliance, the liṅga stood ever increasing, its radiance growing without limit. Its form was most terrible, as if it would split apart the very heavens and the earth. Witnessing this wondrous and fearsome sight, the gods resolved among themselves, “Let us discern the end of this great liṅga.” So, making an agreement, they set forth—one ascending upward, the other descending downward—each seeking the limit of this vast pillar of light. Yet, despite all efforts, the end could not be found. One of them confessed, “I do not see its end, and thus I became afraid.” Returning from their search, they arrived again at the great ocean, bewildered. By the power of his māyā, the Lord had deluded them, and there they remained, their awareness lost, unable to comprehend the mystery before them. Then they recognized: “He is the origin and dissolution, the imperishable Lord of all the worlds.” Filled with reverence, they offered obeisance to the great, the unmanifest. Their voices united in praise: “Salutations to you, eternal master of accomplished yoga; salutations to you, foundation of all the worlds. You are the eldest, Vāmadeva, Rudra, Skanda, Śiva—the Lord himself. You are the svāhā invocation, the act of homage, and the consecration of all rites. The Vedas, the worlds, and the gods—all these, O Lord, are entirely yourself. “On earth, you are fragrance; in water, you are taste; in fire, you are form—all these are you, O great Lord. In wind, you are touch; in the moon, form—these too, O Lord of the gods, are you. In intellect, you are knowledge; and, O Lord of the gods, the very seed of nature—these are you. You sustain the three worlds; you alone, O Lord, create them. With your southern mouth, you again withdraw the worlds. With your northern mouth, you are Soma, O best of the gods. “The Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, Maruts, and the twin Aśvins; the Vālakhilyas, the great-souled ones, ascetics, and the accomplished, steadfast in vows; Umā, Sītā, Sinīvālī, Kuhū, and also Gāyatrī—all these arise from you, O Lord. From you are born Sandhyā and Night as well. “Salutations to you, bearer of the thunderbolt and Pināka bow; salutations to you, O god clad in gold. Salutations to you, O god of golden seed; salutations to you, O god with a thousand wondrous eyes. Salutations to you, golden hero and giver of gold. Salutations to you, O god who holds the Pināka bow; salutations to you, O Shankara, blue-throated one. “God of gods, origin of the world, radiant as millions of suns, with thousands of mouths as if devouring the sky. Your form is adorned with various gems, decorated with diverse garlands and ointments. You wear serpents as a sacred thread, a terror to the enemies of the gods.” Then, as the world was filled with his smile, Mahadeva spoke: “I am pleased with you, O best of gods. You two were born from my limbs in ancient times. My left arm is Vishnu, ever undefeated in battle.” Hearing these words, the two gods, their hearts filled with joy, bowed at the feet of the Lord and prayed, “May devotion to you, O god, lord of the gods, be ours always.” Having spoken thus, the blessed one vanished from their sight. This, indeed, is the supreme knowledge—subtle and known as Shiva.