With a gentle assurance, the speaker blessed the departing ones, saying, “You may go; may good fortune be yours—why should there be any fear?” He reminded them that the blessed Lord is easily pleased, a refuge and the ultimate goal for those who are virtuous. Sudarśana and Śiva, he declared, were dearer to him than life itself. He extolled Mahādeva’s immense power, noting that Śiva could create ten million Suns with ease. He spoke further, revealing that external knowledge holds no value for those who meditate upon him day and night, for he himself thinks of their welfare constantly. The Blessed Lord, he explained, is of the very nature of Śiva, who presides as the deity. As these words were spoken, Śaṅkara—Lord Śiva himself—arrived at that very moment. Swiftly dismounting from his bull, he bowed his head in devotion. Śiva beheld the Lord seated upon a jeweled throne, adorned with brilliant ornaments. The Lord’s form was dark as a fresh raincloud, beautiful, with four arms. His body was anointed with sandalwood and draped in yellow garments. He listened, smiling with delight, to the singing and dancing of the Vidyādharas. Mahādeva bowed to him, and Brahmā too offered his respects. Kaśyapa, filled with great devotion, praised and bowed as well. Śiva then saw Candraśekhara seated comfortably on a pleasant seat, at rest—serene, smiling, joyful, and free from anger, his heart tranquil through the influence of sattva. In the assembly of the gods, the pleased Lord addressed Śiva, asking him about worldly and Vedic matters, and about peace. He acknowledged Śiva as the giver of the fruits of austerities, the bestower of all wealth, and the lord of knowledge. “Why should I ask you about knowledge in vain?” he said, for Śiva is all-knowing, the source of speech and questions, the very foundation of the scriptures. Śrī Mahādeva responded, explaining that the Sun was cursed, which led to the conflict between the scriptures. Out of grief for his son and parental affection, he had risen to destroy the Sun. Yet, he affirmed that those who take refuge in the Lord—whether through meditation or even mere words—are assured reward. What need is there to speak of their reward, he asked, and wondered what would become of his own devotee. The Lord replied, instructing him to go quickly to the realm of kings from Vaikuṇṭha in half a ghaṭikā. He spoke of the bearer of the bull-banner, who had died, struck down by the irresistible and fierce force of time. His two sons, Dharmadhvaja and Kuśadhvaja, were both greatly illustrious. Deprived of their kingdom and fortune, they became ascetics devoted to the lotus. Yet, in time, those two, endowed with prosperity, would become foremost among kings. Having spoken thus, the Lord, together with Lakshmi, entered the inner chamber. Śiva quickly departed, fully intent on ascetic practice. Then Nārāyaṇa spoke, saying that each received the desired boon they had wished for. By the boon of Mahālakṣmī, Dharmadhvaja and Kuśadhvaja became rulers of the earth. Kuśadhvaja’s wife was Mālāvatī, a virtuous goddess. Due to her connection with the earth, she was endowed with knowledge; she made the sound of the Vedas clear as she rose in the birthing chamber. Remarkably, the girl produced the sound of the Vedas immediately upon birth. After being thoroughly bathed, she went straight to the forest for ascetic practice.