The gods, accompanied by Indra and Upendra, gazed upon the magnificent city from afar. Their minds were composed, yet awe filled their hearts as they bowed in reverence, overwhelmed by the majesty of the trident-wielding Lord. Like the radiance of a thousand suns, vast and adorned with countless virtues, the great-souled Lord of Kailāsa—the first among the gods—entered the city nestled upon the slopes of Meru. The city was alive, teeming with women, elephants, horses, and chariots. The slayer of the gods’ enemies advanced with his hosts and their leaders, appearing like a mighty mountain lord, accompanied by Aja and Hari. As they approached the grand city gate, its splendor became evident: mansions crafted from gold, embellished with jewels, aerial palaces of wondrous shapes, and ramparts enclosing all. Upon seeing the outer city of Śambhu, Hari, the gods, Brahmā, and their companions were filled with joy, their faces brightening as they entered the city. The second city of the God of gods was crowded with mansions and palaces, adorned with lofty towers and four splendid gates. Jewels of diamond, beryl, and ruby formed intricate networks throughout, with swinging seats and bells, and yak-tail fans adding to the grandeur. The air was filled with the sounds of mṛdaṅgas and murajas, vīṇās and flutes, while groups of apsarases danced and hosts of spirits gathered. Mansions, enchanting to the eye, resembled the palaces of Indra. On the pinnacles of these palaces, thousands of city women stood with hands overflowing with flowers, fruits, and rice, showering them upon Hari’s head as they did for Bhava. The women, intoxicated, gazed upon Viṣṇu with eyes rolling in delight. Some, with broad hips, danced joyfully and sang; others smiled at Hari’s arrival. Some sang in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh modes, their garments loosened and girdles slipping down. Passing beyond the eighth, ninth, and the foremost tenth gate, the gods approached the splendid city of Śambhu. This city was perfectly round, exceedingly bright, situated atop the auspicious peak of Kailāsa, adorned with palaces shining like the sun. All directions sparkled with clear crystal pavilions, golden structures, and various jeweled edifices. The gateways of Śambhu, Lord of the guardians, were adorned with auspicious ornaments, precious gems, and entrances on all sides. Twenty-eight kinds of ramparts surrounded the city, with subsidiary and main gates, strong and diverse in every direction. Secret chambers and hidden houses, the splendid dwellings of Guha, and other excellent pearl-studded abodes added to the wonder. Divine shrines of Gaṇeśa made of red gems, sandalwood structures of various forms, and beautiful gardens of flowers graced the city. Ponds and lakes lined with golden steps were frequented by swans more graceful than women. Peacocks, waterfowl, cuckoos, and chakravāka birds filled the air, while reservoirs shone with nectar-like waters. Women skilled in conversation adorned themselves with ornaments, their forms slightly bent from the weight of their breasts, eyes rolling from intoxication. Thousands of divine maidens of Rudra, devoted to singing, and groups of Apsarases danced—such company was rare even for the gods. The best of Brahmins, surrounded by blooming lotuses, mingled with groups of Rudra’s women delighting in water games. Some were absorbed in festivals and celebrations, others graceful at every step, attached to the pleasures of village life, shining like rubies. Beholding these assemblies of women belonging to Bhava, the supreme soul, the gods stood all around, struck with wonder. They saw the multitude of Rudra’s hosts and thousands of heroic leaders among them. Celestial palaces of the Lord of gods stood with golden stairways adorned with diamonds, beryl, and crystal. On their pinnacles were joyous women with lotus-like eyes and broad hips—Yakshas, Gandharvas, and Apsarases mingled among them. Kinnaris and Kinnaras, serpent-beings, Siddha maidens, all adorned in diverse garments and ornaments, were present. Endowed with various powers and fond of pleasures, they resembled blue lotus petals, their eyes elongated like lotus leaves. Their garments shone like lotus filaments, with bangles, anklets, necklaces, decorated parasols, and robes, all adorned with many ornaments. When the gods saw this assembly of celestial beauties and the leaders of the hosts, they, led by Indra, proceeded to the city of the Lord of hosts, the destroyer of cities. The groups of gods and Siddhas, led by Puruhuta, stood in the center of the city, beholding the foremost palace of the supreme Lord, shining with the brilliance of a thousand rising suns. At the gate of that palace, all the gods, with Indra at their head, saw Nandin, the lord of the hosts, standing there. Seeing Nandin, they bowed and greeted him with cries of “Victory!” The lord of the hosts addressed them, saying, “O gods, greatly fortunate, all your sins removed, you have arrived, O lords of all worlds. You, steadfast in vows, may speak your purpose.” The gods replied, “Show us the boon-giving god, radiant as the lord of elephants, Maheshvara, for the purpose of releasing us from the bonds of existence. Formerly, when the three cities were to be burned, we were called ‘beasts.’ Because of that, O steadfast one, we are anxious regarding this ‘beast-hood.’ The Pashupata vow was declared by Bhava, the supreme lord. By this vow, O lord of beings, ‘beast-hood’ does not exist at all.” Thus, the gods spoke their hearts, seeking the grace and wisdom of Maheshvara, the supreme lord, to free themselves from the bonds of worldly existence.