After Sudarśana had spoken, his devoted wife, distressed and helpless, wept and addressed her husband, “Master, what have you said?” Hearing her words, Sudarśana replied gently, “Everything should be given, noble one, to Śiva, for Śiva himself is the guest.” He reminded her that all guests must always be honored, as if they were Śiva himself. Taking her husband’s words as sacred, like the remnants of a holy offering, the devoted wife resolved to act accordingly, her faith now to be tested. At that time, Dharma himself, assuming the form of a distinguished Brāhmaṇa, arrived at the sage’s house. Upon seeing him, the sinless wife honored the Brāhmaṇa with water for washing his feet and other offerings, fulfilling her duty as a gracious hostess. After being properly received, Dharma, in the form of the Brāhmaṇa, asked her, “O blessed one, where is your wise husband, Sudarśana?” He then said, “With sufficient food and drink, O noble lady, you should also offer yourself here.” The woman, covered with modesty, remembered her husband’s words and lowered her eyes, trembling with uncertainty. Pondering what she should do, her mind fixed on Dharma, she addressed him again, torn between her duty and her modesty. Obeying her husband’s command, she was about to offer herself to the guest. At that very moment, Sudarśana, the wise sage, returned to the doorway and called out, “Come, come, O blessed one, where have you gone?” The guest then addressed Sudarśana directly: “Today, Sudarśana, I am here with your wife for union; tell me, what should be done now?” Sudarśana replied, “O best of Brāhmaṇas, the act of love is complete; I am satisfied.” Hearing this, the king of Dharma, delighted, revealed his true form. He granted all that was desired and, shining with brilliance, declared, “O best of Brāhmaṇas, she has not been enjoyed by me, not even in thought. There is no doubt that I have not touched her; I came here only to test your faith. By you, O virtuous one, death has truly been conquered by Dharma alone.” Praising the power of Sudarśana’s austerity, Dharma departed, leaving behind the lesson that all guests must always be honored in this way. “What more need be said, O best of twice-born?” Brahmā continued. “Those bereft of fortune should swiftly seek refuge in Śaṅkara alone.” Hearing Brahmā’s words, the foremost of Brāhmaṇas, troubled and distressed, bowed to him and spoke, “O greatly fortunate one, our lives are disregarded and our women are distraught. We have seen Mahādeva, who is blameless, yet we have reviled him. He who is all-pervading, the wielder of the trident and the bow Pināka, the blue-red one, has been cursed by us. Through ignorance, the power of our curse is rendered ineffective by merely beholding him.” They pleaded, “O Lord of the gods, please explain the renunciation by which we may see the Lord of gods, fierce, formidable, and matted-haired.” Brahmā then instructed them: “First, study the Vedas with faith under a teacher, always reflecting on their meaning, and vow to follow the duties of a sage. Or, after completing the period of Vedic study, or after twelve years, bathe, take a wife, and beget virtuous sons. Then, divide your property among your sons according to their proper means of livelihood, and perform sacrifices such as Agniṣṭoma to the Lord of sacrifice. “Having done so, retire to the forest and worship the Supreme Self, living there for twelve years, or even for a single year, sustained by fire. Or, for twelve fortnights or even twelve days, subsist on milk, remaining peaceful, and worship all the gods. Having performed these sacrifices, offer the sacrificial vessels into the fire with mantras, place the earthen ones in water, and give the metallic ones to your teacher. Give all your wealth to the Brāhmaṇas without reservation, bow to your teacher, and, detached, renounce. “Cut off your hair with the tuft, discard the sacred thread, and offer five oblations into water, saying ‘bhūḥ svāhā.’ Thereafter, live as an ascetic, seeking liberation by Śiva—by vows, by fasting, or even subsisting on water, leaves, milk, or fruit. The ascetic thus becomes as if dead while alive; if not, then after six months or a year, he should endure the hardships of departure for his own body. By acting thus, he attains union with Śiva, even through action. “Even immediately, one endowed with devotion and firm vows attains liberation. Whether by renunciation or this very method, the devotee of Rudra attains liberation through auspicious vows, sacrifices, various gifts, oblations, and by the various scriptures and Vedas obtained. Thus, by Śveta, death was conquered through devotion to existence by the great-souled one. May you have devotion to Mahādeva, Śaṅkara, the Supreme Self.” When Brahmā spoke thus, the exalted sages inquired about the sacred story of Śveta. Brahmā replied: “There was a sage named Śveta, illustrious and devoted, whose lifespan had ended. Dwelling in a mountain cave, he was absorbed in worship and praised Maheśvara with deep devotion, reciting the sacred Rudrādhyāya, beginning with ‘namas.’ “At that time, Time itself, of great brilliance, approached the sage, whose appointed hour had come. Intending to claim him, Time appeared before Śveta. Yet, seeing Time, Śveta remembered Śaṅkara, even as his own time had come. That virtuous soul began to worship Tryambaka, the divine, fragrant Lord who increases nourishment, with all his heart.