In the vast expanse of the sky, delightful hosts of apsarases danced with celestial grace, their movements enchanting all who beheld them. Amidst this heavenly celebration, a being endowed with all knowledge arose, his heart filled with devotion as he began to praise the Supreme Lord. He addressed Time itself—the sage, the cause behind all unions and separations in yoga—offering his reverence. “I bow to you, Rudra, the one and only,” he proclaimed. “You, whose very form is the self of all, manifesting in the divisions of wind and other elements. You are Antaka, honored by the hosts of yogis. Some know you as Shiva, O Lord beyond all distinctions. O blue-throated one, praised by those who know the Vedas, you are Sadashiva, the Supreme Lord. Salutations to you, established upon a seat of a thousand powers, abiding in the hearts of all beings. Salutations to you, the end beyond, the source and origin of all existence. Salutations to you, consort of Ambika, the gracious one. Salutations to the great Lord—salutations to Shiva!” Pleased by these heartfelt praises, the Supreme Lord touched the devotee with his hands and spoke with compassion. “Having attained lordship of the Ganas in my presence, you shall dwell eternally, O immortal one. You shall be the attendant of Nandishvara, forever free from all great suffering.” In the assembly of the gods, Mahadeva, the lord of hosts—Andhaka—stood resplendent, crowned with matted hair, his mighty hand grasping the trident. At that moment, the blessed Vishnu, smiling, addressed the god of gods, recognizing his nature: “He does not observe faults born of ignorance, and he accepts virtues as well.” Together with Keśava and Andhaka, they approached the presence of Shankara. There, Hara attained perfect union and contentment, joined by Madhava and Matrika. He then went to the celestial abode where the beloved daughter of the mountain, the Lord’s consort, resided. There, supreme happiness was granted to Andhaka, as favor was bestowed upon him. Overwhelmed, Andhaka fell prostrate upon the ground, bowing at the lotus feet. For the primordial Purusha is the one who destroys the entire universe. With utmost reverence, the devotee bowed to her—the golden, supremely pure, unborn and undying one. “I bow to her, who is free from all distinctions and divisions. I bow to her who transcends all qualities, the daughter of the mountain lord. I bow to your lotus feet, worshipped by gods and demons alike.” Pleased by the praise of the lord of the demons, she graciously accepted Andhaka as her son. By the permission of Shambhu, the Supreme Lord, Andhaka then departed for the netherworld. Hari, the unmanifest, remained there—the Lord in the form of Narasimha. Meanwhile, the blessed Kālāgni Rudra united his self with the Supreme Self. Then, driven by hunger, certain beings bowed to Mahadeva, the wielder of the trident, and spoke: “We shall devour the three worlds; only then will our hunger be satisfied.” With that, they began to consume all of the three worlds, devouring both the moving and unmoving beings. Witnessing this, Narayana, the divine one, entered deep contemplation, and instantly, Hari appeared—ready to restore balance to the universe.