Vāsudeva, the creator and protector, stands as the very soul of the universe, facing all directions and pervading all existence. He is the deliverer, the ultimate person and self, the one supreme state. Peaceful, true, and ever-blissful—this supreme state is extolled by the Upaniṣad as the highest realization. Among all the paths pursued by beings, this alone is the loftiest goal. Recognizing all as one, the wise see unity everywhere; whoever knows this truth is liberated. By knowing only the One, bliss is attained. But those who worship the Lord with divided vision, seeing separation and distinction, are not dear to me. Though they endure suffering, even through countless aeons, they are not freed. Only by proper understanding here can one meditate upon the Lord in every difficulty. There are those who do not bow to Nārāyaṇa, the god, nor to the goddess, Bhavānī, the daughter of the Himalaya. They do not revere the twin feet of Bhavānī nor the lotus feet of Nārāyaṇa. Failing to perceive the true source of the world, everything appears to them as a wonder. Deluded, one such being went to the mountain, seeking to seize the goddess Girijā. At that moment, the Supreme Person appeared, ready to battle the demons. Kālarudra, the fierce god, approached, and the god with a thousand arms arrived as well. The blessed one, whose radiant form is admired by women throughout the worlds, shone brilliantly like the sun. A shower of flowers descended upon him, and the hosts of the Gaṇas gathered, with their chief among them present. Mounting his celestial vehicle, though devoid of vitality, he addressed Mahādeva, Bhairava, who was adorned with ashes. He declared, “Except for you, O Lord, no one else is able to slay this demon.” The wise Veda-knowers praised him with various mantras. Seeing Viṣṇu, he resolved to destroy the lord of the demons. Those who move in the sky sang praises to Bhairava, the god. “You are the fire that eternally dwells within all beings,” they proclaimed. “You are Brahmā, you are Mahādeva, you are the supreme abode, the highest state. Greatly powerful, lord of the gods, victorious ruler of all worlds.” Placing himself at the tips of the trident, he danced—the refuge of the virtuous. All bowed to the lord, Bhairava, liberator from existence. In the sky, delightful hosts of apsarases danced joyfully. One endowed with all knowledge arose and praised the Supreme Lord. Time itself, the sage and the cause of union and separation in yoga, offered salutations: “I bow to you, Rudra, the one and only. You, whose form is the self of all, manifesting as the divisions of wind and others—You are Antaka, honored by hosts of yogis. Some call you Shiva. O Lord, you are yourself devoid of all distinctions. O blue-throated one, you are praised by those who know the Vedas. You are Sadashiva, you are the Supreme Lord.