There, amid great splendor, a radiant parasol shining like the full moon was brought forth and lovingly adorned by her, accompanied by groups of women gracefully waving fly-whisks in their hands. Upon this scene, the supreme throne was claimed by her and by me, both of us resplendently decorated by Mahalakshmi herself, who placed upon us magnificent crowns and other dazzling ornaments. A most excellent necklace was obtained and gently placed upon the goddess’s neck. Along with this, the lord of bulls appeared, as did a majestic white elephant, a lion, and a banner emblazoned with a lion. A splendid chariot and a golden parasol, radiant as the moon’s disc, were also presented. Even today, there is none to equal me, O mighty one. With his family and relatives gathered, the lord mounted the bull. Accompanied by the goddess and by me, Śiva departed from that place. As we proceeded, the hosts of beings—sages, divine rishis, and siddhas—beholding the goddess Bhavā and myself, approached and humbly requested the sacred Pāśupata command, O twice-born one. Then, at the lord’s instruction, Nandikā, the devoted attendant of the husband of the mountain-born goddess, graciously bestowed upon them the auspicious Pāśupata command. Thus, having received this command from the foremost of sages, the assembled sages became devoted to Bhava. This is the way one should worship. Indeed, one who utters the name of Bhava without bowing incurs a sin as grievous as killing a Brahmin ten times; such a sin is most severe. Therefore, in every way, one should always recite with reverence, bowing at the beginning, and by so doing, ultimately attain the state of Śiva. At this point, Sūta, you have narrated everything clearly concerning Śaṅkara. Now, please speak of the essential nature of Rudra, who is the soul of all. The worlds—Bhū, Bhuvaḥ, Svar, Mahas, Jana, Tapas, and Satya—as well as Pātāla, the realms of hell, and the countless oceanic abysses; the stars, planets, moon, sun, Dhruva, the seven sages, celestial beings, and all others—these all exist by his grace. By him, all these are created, O best of the twice-born. He is established as the totality, the soul of all, eternally as Śiva. Yet, those deluded by his Māyā do not recognize the soul of all, the great soul, the great god, the supreme lord. The very body of Rudra is indeed the three worlds. Therefore, bowing to him, I shall speak to you of the auspicious arrangement of the worlds. Earlier, I have recounted the creation of the cosmic egg. Now, I shall describe the nature of the worlds within the Brahmāṇḍa. From the cosmic egg arise the seven auspicious worlds: earth, atmosphere, heaven, Mahar, Jana, Tapas, and Satya. Below these, O twice-born, are seven realms called Talas, beginning with Mahātala, and beneath them, in order, are the hells. Mahātala is adorned with gold and all manner of gems, splendid palaces, and various abodes belonging to Bhava. It is associated with Ananta, the wise king Mucukunda, the mighty ruler, and those who dwell in Pātāla and Svarga. O Brahmins, Rasātala is a mountain, Śārkara is Talātala, Pīta is known as Sutala, and Vitala shines like coral. Atala and Tala are white, as are all other white realms among them. Their extent matches that of the earth below. The number of these Talas is thus established: the sky measures a thousand yojanas, and ten thousand as well; one hundred thousand and seven thousand is the measure of the densest Talas, and the root of the sky is thirty thousand. O best of sages, Rasātala is celebrated as golden and auspicious, inhabited by Vāsuki and others. Talātala is served by Virocana, Hiraṇyākṣa, Naraka, and others, and is endowed with all splendor. Sutala is filled with the ancient gods, led by Vaināyaka and Kālanemi, and many others besides. Vitala is inhabited by Dānavas such as Tāraka, Agnimukha, Mahāntaka, Nāgas, and the Asura Prahlāda. Vitala is also renowned as being served by Kambala and Aśva, by the heroic Mahākumbha, and the wise Hayagrīva. It is divided by Śaṅkukarṇa, by Namuci and his followers, and by various other heroes, making Tala beautifully adorned. In all these realms, the supreme lord is present with Ambā, Skanda, Nandin, and surrounded everywhere by the Gaṇas. Above all the Talas, there are seven sets of seven earth realms. Now, I shall describe to you the seven divisions of the earth. The earth consists of seven continents, filled with rivers and mountains, and is adorned on all sides by seven oceans. These islands, in order, are Jambū, Plakṣa, Śālmalī, Kuśa, Krauñca, Śāka, and Puṣkara. In all these seven islands, Hara, surrounded by his hosts, assumes various forms and manifests his presence. The oceans that encircle them, in sequence, are of salt water, sugarcane juice, wine, clarified butter, curd, milk, and sweet water. In all these oceans, at all times, Śiva with his attendants, taking the form of water itself, the glorious one, sports with arms of waves. Just as nectar is present in the ocean of milk, so too does Hari always abide in the milk-ocean, ever in direct awareness of Śiva, resting in yogic sleep. And when the Blessed Lord awakens, the whole world awakens with him. When he sleeps, all that moves and does not move, pervaded by him, sleeps as well.