Viṣṇu, the one whose true form is beyond all manifestation, stood there humbly, assuming the attitude of a devoted disciple. The very soul of the universe, Viṣṇu himself, had come in person to my home. Astonished and honored, I wondered aloud: for what purpose had such a great being arrived here? With reverence, the great yogi Viṣṇu bowed and spoke: “I have come to your abode, eager for the blessed vision of the Supreme One. Tell me, where and after how long will I be able to behold the Lord of Uma?” In response, I encouraged him: “With devotion and intense austerity, perform your practices here diligently. In this very place, ascetics who recite and meditate remain absorbed in the Lord. Surrounded by yogis, the Lord plays with various beings here.” I recounted the examples of the past: the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha had obtained yoga directly from Maheśvara. Having seen the Lord, Vasiṣṭha attained supreme knowledge and reached the Lord of lords. Surabhi, full of devotion, received sons from Rudra; upon seeing the glorious Hara, they became fearless and attained perfect bliss. Vasiṣṭha thus attained the highest yoga and was granted the supreme authorship of scripture. He taught that ancient, supremely meritorious text to worthy disciples among the twice-born. O best of men, that scripture consists of exactly twelve thousand verses. Here itself, the disciples made it known, as spoken by Śāṃśapāyana. By the Lord’s command, that unsurpassed scripture of yoga was composed. Śukra, foremost among those who know yoga, was also obtained as a son from Maheśvara. And you, too, are worthy to behold Viśveśa, the fierce and formidable one with matted hair. The Pāśupata vow and yoga were given to Kṛṣṇa, whose actions are pure and untainted. There, Kṛṣṇa worshipped the god Rudra through severe austerity, his mind fixed solely upon Śiva, reciting the Rudra mantra day and night. Then, Mahādeva, the great Lord Maheśvara, appeared in the sky with the goddess by his side. Together with the goddess, Kṛṣṇa beheld Mahādeva, radiant as a thousand suns. He saw Śambhu, the lord of life-breath, the primordial god standing before him. He beheld the primeval one, holding conch, sword, and discus in his hands. He saw the grandsire, the teacher of the worlds, shining brilliantly in the heavens. He saw Kumāra, the fire-lord, with his mighty spear, and also Svāyambhuva Manu. In awe, Kṛṣṇa turned his contemplation inward, meditating on the self within his own self. The virtuous declare: you alone are all. You alone, O god and lord, I seek as my refuge. You alone, O god and lord, I seek as my refuge. Remembering your pair of feet by your grace, I always approach you, the true and glorious Lord of all, the supreme auspicious one. To you, Mahādeva, the eternal Lord, I bow again and again. Salutations to you, who hold the thunderbolt, who are clothed with the directions, whose matted hair shines with power.