This god, the great god, is to be known as Maheśvara. He is the lord of the gods, the sages, and the ancestors. This Blessed Lord, having become Time itself, withdraws all creation into himself as Maheśvara. He is marked by the curl of hair, the auspicious Śrīvatsa mark, and the sacred thread upon his chest. In the Dvāpara age, he is known as Kālagni; in the Kali age, he is called Dharmaketu. Indeed, darkness is Agni, passion is Brahmā, and goodness—Viṣṇu is the illuminator. These divine qualities reside where there is union with Brahman. The sages, having conquered anger and mastered their senses, worshipped him, O best of the twice-born. Having fashioned such an image, they sought refuge in the wielder of the trident. Upon seeing him, all ignorance and unrighteousness are destroyed. Thereafter, they remained in the Devadāru forest, free from sorrow. On diverse altars, upon mountains, and in caves as well, the sages continued their worship. Assuming that very form, the god entered the forest. Maheśa entered the forest hermitage, which was filled with the sweet sounds of birds. Then all the sages, fully concentrated, praised him. Together with their wives, sons, and attendants, the greatly fortunate ones offered their homage. They confessed, “Out of ignorance, whatever we have done against the god of gods—the various deeds, both secret and profound—we do not know your welcome, nor your path, nor anything at all.” With humility, they continued, “The great-souled ones praise you, O god of gods, O Maheśvara. Salutations to the lord of beings, of infinite strength and power. Salutations to Ganga, the sacred stream of water, the support of all, the embodiment of all qualities. Salutations to you, O Kāma; salutations to the supreme self. Salutations to the one with the staff in hand, to Time, and to the one who holds the noose. “Whatever is past, present, or future, whatever is stationary or moving—may you be auspicious; protect us, O Lord, may good fortune be yours; be gracious. All this, indeed, is accomplished by you, Lord, through the power of yoga and illusion. Those engaged in austerity beseech you; may we behold you as before. “Salutations to you who are ever clad in the directions, adorned with a garland of bells. Salutations to you who are formless, beautiful, and whose form is the universe. Salutations to you, the soul of all living beings, whose body is composed of qualities. Salutations to the divine blue-throated one, whose limbs are smeared with ashes from the pyre. Salutations to you who dwell always in the cremation ground and assume the form of spirits. “The soul of all beings is called ‘puruṣa’ by the Sāṅkhya philosophers. Among sages, you are Vasiṣṭha; among gods, you are Vāsava. Among all forest creatures, you are the lion, O Supreme Lord. Whatever state exists, or will exist, in any manner—desire, anger, greed, dejection, and intoxication—all are within you. “When the great dissolution arrives, O God, you, having become the Self, bring it about. Then, by that fire, the worlds are enveloped everywhere by flames.” Thus, with devotion and reverence, the sages and their families praised and worshipped Maheśvara, the great lord, who is the source, sustenance, and dissolution of all that exists.