At that pivotal moment, when the gods had neglected to offer their worship, a mighty being addressed them, restraining their actions. He declared, “In this world, without worshipping me with pure offerings of food and drink, who among men, gods, or even demons can ever attain success?” Recognizing the gravity of his words, the lords of the gods understood that for the fulfillment of their divine task, they must first honor him. He warned them further: “If I am not worshipped, I will create obstacles for any who attempt to act.” Alarmed and fearful, all the gods, with Indra at their head, hastened to worship this master. They approached Ganesha with offerings of food, drink, cakes, and sweet balls, beseeching him, “May we always be free from obstacles.” At that auspicious moment, the chief among all the gods embraced and blessed his son, Ganesha, with affection and reverence. Having thus worshipped the worthy Vinayaka, the leader of the gods, accompanied by the hosts of deities, the lords of the Ganas, and the great bow of the mountain king, prepared to embark on the mighty task of burning the three cities. Maheshvara, the Lord of gods, surrounded by throngs of divine and perfected beings, along with all the hosts of spirits and the lords of the Ganas led by Nandi, set forth. Each followed the Lord with their own celestial vehicles. At the forefront, Nandi, like the towering king of mountains, ascended the celestial chariot and advanced toward the city that was the very abode of Death. At that time, the gods, the Gana leaders, and all the Ganas mounted the finest elephants, bulls, and horses, each bearing their own weapons and insignia, ready for battle. Their power undiminished, they went forth for the welfare of all worlds, intent on burning the three cities. The Lord himself, radiant with a thousand rays and fierce in aspect, the lord of gods and demons alike, shone brilliantly among the gods as he rode his vehicle. His complexion was like the lotus petal, and he glowed as the thousand-rayed, fierce Lord upon the summit of Mount Sumeru. Indra, the thousand-eyed and foremost among the gods, mounted his mighty elephant and took his place to the right of Rudra, ready to destroy the city. Garuda, too, soared ahead as serpents do. The perfected beings, Gandharvas, heroic gods, and leaders of the divine hosts surrounded Indra, showering him with praise and excellent flowers, exclaiming “Victory!” from all sides. Upon seeing Indra, the thousand-eyed one, the assembled hosts bowed with deep reverence, as a mother would to her son. Alongside them came Yama, Agni, Kubera, Vayu, Nirriti, the lord of waters, Ishana, and Bhava, all gathering for the great endeavor. Vīrabhadra, noble in battle, mounted the bull-king and took his position at the southwest of the chariot, surrounded by fierce companions with bristling hair. He was there to serve Triyambaka, the god of gods, the great force of time, brilliant and powerful, like another Mahadeva himself. In the northwest, he and his attendants stood ready at the chariot. Skanda, too, accompanied by Siddhas and Charanas, with his army resembling the king of mountains, surrounded by divine leaders, mounted his elephant, born of fire, and joined the host. Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, created hindrances for the lords of demons, while for the gods, he and his hosts cleared the way, proceeding to the region of Ishana. At that time, the fierce goddess Kali appeared, brandishing a trident that gleamed like the darkness of night. Adorned with skulls, her hand shook with power, intoxicated by the blood of great demons and gods. She moved like a mad elephant, her eyes rolling in wild intoxication, accompanied by hosts of ghosts, her limbs draped in elephant hide. She went ahead of the lord of hosts, leading the charge. Siddhas, Gandharvas, Pisachas, Yakshas, Vidyadharas, serpent-kings, and foremost gods bowed low, loudly praising the goddess, daughter of the snowy mountain, with cries of “Victory!” The mothers, destroyers of the gods’ enemies, honored by the gods with reverence, approached the chariot, each with their own vehicles, banners, and entourages. Durga herself, difficult to approach, mounted on the lord of beasts, armed with many powerful weapons—goad, trident, noose, axe, discus, sword, and conch. Her eyes blazed like a thousand suns, youthful yet mighty, she burned the path before her, ready to strike down the demons. Then, to slay the god Tripura, the chief lords of hosts, shining like Indra and the sun, advanced with elephants, horses, mighty lions, chariots, and bulls. Armed with ploughs, blades, pestles, clubs, and even mountain peaks, these lords of gods and hosts went before Maheshvara, resembling mountains themselves. Indra, the lotus-born, Vishnu, and all the other gods and leaders of hosts gathered around the blessed Lord, offering words of victory and salutations, bowing with their crowns from all sides. The sages danced with their staffs and matted hair, while Siddhas and Charanas moved through the sky, showering flowers. The best of Brahmins invoked life and energy into the triple city from all directions. Surrounded by the lords of hosts and divine beings, along with Bhringi, the supreme lord of all hosts, the great yogi ascended his celestial vehicle, like Mahendra, to destroy Tripura. Alongside him were many: Kesha, unclothed; Mahakesha; Mahajvara; Somavalli; Savarna; Somapa; and Senaka; as well as Somadhrik, Suryavaca, Suryapeshanaka, Suryaksha, Surinama, and the beautiful god Sundara; Prakuda, Kakudanta, Kampana, Prakampana, Indra, Indrajaya, Mahabhir, and Bhimaka. There were those with a hundred eyes, five eyes, a thousand eyes, great bellies, the tongue of Yama, a hundred horses, those with necks and those worshipped at the neck; the two-crested, three-crested, and five-crested; the shaven-headed, half-shaven, the tall, the one with a ghoul’s mouth, the bearer of the Pinaka bow; those dwelling beneath the pippala tree, the eaters of embers, the loose and slack-mouthed, those with eyes on their feet, the unborn, Mars-like; those with goat’s faces, horse’s faces, elephant’s faces, and upward-facing countenances. All these, without mark or distinction, encircled the Lord—thousands upon thousands of Rudras, each with upward-rising energy. Encircling the great god, the god of gods, the supreme lord, they marched forward, accompanied by countless hosts, to burn the three cities.