Let me tell you the sacred tale as revealed in the scriptures. There is a powerful mantra: "Om, obeisance to the Blessed Shiva, svaha." This mantra, radiant with potency, was once bestowed upon Ravana by Brahma himself. It is to be used with its root, and with it, all offerings and the finest foods should be presented in worship. Another sacred invocation is: "Om, obeisance to the great god; O Maheshvara, greatly fortunate one, the armor that has been revealed—" At this, Maheshvara, the great Lord Shiva, spoke: "I shall give you this, which is to be kept secret and is extremely rare. Long ago, it was given to the sage Durvasa for the conquest of the three worlds. Whoever, with devotion and wisdom, wears this armor of mine, will be blessed." This armor, Maheshvara declared, purifies worldly existence and is to be applied for the four aims of life: righteousness, wealth, desire, and liberation. By reciting it five hundred thousand times, success is granted—through brilliance, accomplishment, yoga, austerity, and valor. "May Shambhu protect my head, may Maheshvara protect my face. May Chandrachuda protect my throat, and the Bull-bannered One protect my shoulders. May the Lord of the Universe protect all my limbs, in all directions, at all times." Thus, the wondrous Bana armor was described, with its immense power. The fruit gained by bathing at all sacred fords is surpassed by the merit of this armor. Shiva further declared, "He who, not knowing this armor, worships me is of very dull intellect." Sauti, the sage, added: "The king of mantras, the wish-fulfilling tree, was formerly given by Vasishta." This mantra is: "Om, obeisance to Shiva; I bow to the essence of the gods and to the lord of the gods, blue and red in hue. The embodiment of knowledge and bliss, the very form and seed of knowledge, eternal. The form of austerity, the seed of austerity, the wealth and treasure of asceticism, the best. The cause of enjoyment and liberation, the means to cross the ocean of hell. Resembling snow, sandalwood, jasmine, the moon, the water-lily, and the lotus. Assuming many forms according to the diversity of objects. Of the form of wind, of the form of the moon, of the form of the sun—the great and mighty Lord. The Lord who is the life of devotees, eager to bestow grace upon the devoted. The Lord, unlimited, beyond speech and mind—wielding trident and spear, smiling, adorned with the crescent moon." Having spoken this king of hymns, Bana, ever self-controlled, recited it daily. This hymn was once given by Vasishta to a Gandharva, O sage. Whoever, with devotion, recites this great and meritorious hymn—miraculous results follow. If a man without a son listens for one year, he obtains a son. If one suffers from leprosy or great pain, he is cured by listening for a year. Even one bound in prison finds no contentment without it, but if he listens with devotion, his suffering is eased. One who has lost his kingdom regains it if he listens for a month with devotion. If a faithful person afflicted with consumption listens for a year, healing comes. O twice-born, whoever always listens with devotion to this king of hymns—separation from relatives never occurs for him, O descendant of Bharata. He who is well-disciplined and listens with great devotion for one month, even a great fool lacking intelligence, or one afflicted by the pain of actions or by poverty, if he listens with devotion for a month, enjoys happiness in this world and attains the rarest fame. Becoming an exalted attendant, he serves Shankara, the great Lord, in the highest realms. Thus is the power and grace of these mantras and hymns to Shiva, as revealed by the sages.