Salutations were offered to the one who roars and leaps, whose spirit is ever gladdened; to the gracious Lord who breathes, who runs, and who presides over all. Praise was given to the one who meditates and yawns, who weeps and melts, who leaps and plays, and whose form is large-bellied. Homage was paid to the uncreated and the created, to the skull-bearer, to the dark one, to the Lord with a mad form, adorned with bells. Reverence was shown to the one with strange attire, fierce and unyielding, immeasurable and radiant, the protector who is beyond all qualities. They bowed to the beloved of the left, the leftward one, the wearer of the crest-jewel, the slender and virtuous one of immeasurable qualities. Salutations were offered to the virtuous and mysterious, to the one who moves in the unapproachable, supporter of worlds—whose very feet are the earth—honored by the noble. His belly was praised as the foundation of all attainments and yogas, with the vast sky in the middle, adorned with clusters of stars. On his chest shone a splendid necklace, bright as the path of the star Swati, while the ten directions were his arms, adorned with armlets and bracelets. His broad, thick neck glittered, resembling a mass of dark collyrium, adorned with a golden thread. His face was fierce, with protruding fangs, unconquerable and incomparable; his head, crowned with a garland of lotuses, outshone even the heavens. The radiance in the sun, the form in the moon, the steadfastness of the mountain, the strength in the wind, the heat in fire, the coolness in water, and the sound in the sky—all these qualities arise from him, the unmoving and imperishable source. The wise know him as the recitation, the object of recitation, the Great God, the supreme yogi, the great Lord. He is the Lord of cities, dweller in caves, mover in the sky, wanderer of the night, treasury of austerity, secret teacher, bringer of joy, and increaser of delight. He is horse-headed, ocean-born, creator and sustainer of beings, to be known, revealer, leader, unconquerable and unshakable. With a mighty chariot, performer of fearsome deeds, famed conqueror of wealth, lover of bells, bearer of banners and umbrellas, wielder of the bow Pinaka, lord of armies—he is adorned with armor, spear, sword, bow, and axe, destroyer of evil, sinless, heroic, king of gods, crusher of enemies. By propitiating him in times past, his devotees had vanquished their foes in battle, just as fire drinks up the waters of the ocean and is never satisfied. Though formed of wrath, he remains serene in spirit, granter and fulfiller of desires, beloved, celibate, unfathomable, devoted to the Veda, and honored by the virtuous. He is the inexhaustible treasury of the gods; sacrifice is established by him, and the oblation offered according to the Veda is borne to him by fire. When he is pleased, all are pleased. He is the Lord of Bhavani, beginningless, creator of all worlds and beings. The wise, knowing him as supreme beyond nature, having exhausted their meditation, enter into immortality. Yogis, meditating on him as ever-perfect, renounce other yogic practices; others, pure and serene, devoted to him through their own actions, attain divine enjoyments. As far as their understanding allowed, they praised his greatness, acknowledging him as the boundless Great One, whose essence is beyond all reckoning. They prayed: “May you, Shiva, be gracious to us everywhere; you are who you are—salutations to you!” Whoever recites this hymn to Brahman-Narayana with devotion—or has it recited to learned Brahmins, or listens to it with concentration—attains the merit equal to performing ten thousand horse sacrifices. Even a mortal of sinful conduct who listens to or recites this in Shiva’s presence is freed and goes to the world of Brahma. Whether at a śrāddha, a divine rite, a sacrifice, or at the end of a ritual bath, whoever recites this among the virtuous attains the presence of Brahman. Witnessing such utmost humility, Shiva beheld those with eyes like honey and copper, and his face became exceedingly joyful because of their true praise. The Lord of Umā, the three-eyed one, destroyer of Dakṣa’s sacrifice, Pinākī with the broken axe, Virūpākṣa, was greatly pleased. Having heard their nectar-like words, the blessed Mahādeva, though all-knowing, spoke playfully. He asked, “Who are you two, great souls, seeking each other’s welfare, united here, lotus-eaters, in this dreadful great flood?” Those two, having observed each other, replied, “O Lord, what is it today that you do not know, O mighty one?” They said, “O mighty Rudra, by your will, all this was done by you.” Hearing their words, he joyfully and proudly welcomed them. With sweet and gentle speech, the blessed God addressed them: “O Hiraṇyagarbha, and you, Kṛṣṇa, I speak to you both. I am pleased by your devotion, joined with eternal syllables; you both are dearest to my heart. What boon shall I give you today, the most desired of boons?” Then the blessed Viṣṇu spoke to Bhava, saying, “Everything has been done for me, O God; if you are satisfied with me, let my devotion be firmly established in you, O Śaṅkara.” Thus addressed, recognizing and honoring Keśava, Mahādeva granted devotion to his own lotus feet. He said, “You are the creator of all worlds, you are the supreme deity; thus, blessings to you, child. I shall depart, lotus-eyed one.” Having spoken thus, the blessed Śaṅkara, after blessing, touched Brahmā, the supreme lord, and with his own beautiful hands, exceedingly joyful, he said, “You are like me, there is no doubt, child, and you are my devotee.