As the gods journeyed onward, they beheld wondrous sights. Some women, their hips broad and graceful, began to dance with abandon, moving joyfully and singing sweet melodies. Upon seeing Hari, some smiled gently, their delight apparent. Others, their garments slightly loosened and girdles slipping down, sang in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and even the seventh musical modes, their voices weaving intricate harmonies. Passing beyond the eighth, ninth, and the most eminent tenth gate, the gods approached the splendid city of Śambhu. This city, perfectly round and dazzlingly bright, rested upon the auspicious peak of Kailāsa. Its palaces shone like the radiant orb of the sun, and it was adorned in every direction with clear crystal pavilions, golden halls, and countless jeweled structures. Magnificent gateways, belonging to Śambhu, Lord of the guardians, stood adorned with various ornaments. Auspicious entrances, crafted from precious gems, opened on all sides. The city was encircled by twenty-eight kinds of ramparts, each of unique form, with subsidiary and main gates—strong, diverse, and splendid in every direction. Within were secret chambers and hidden houses, the splendid dwellings of Guha, and other excellent abodes studded with pearls, enchanting to the eye. Divine shrines of Gaṇeśa, fashioned from red gems, stood among sandalwood structures of various shapes, surrounded by beautiful flower gardens. Ponds and lakes lined with golden steps were frequented by swans whose grace surpassed even that of women. Peacocks, waterfowl, cuckoos, and chakravāka birds filled the air with their presence, while reservoirs shone with waters as sweet as divine nectar. Women skilled in conversation and adorned with all manner of ornaments wandered about, their forms slightly bent from the weight of their breasts, their eyes rolling from intoxication. Thousands of divine maidens of Rudra, devoted to singing, gathered in groups, while Apsarases danced—such company was rare even for the gods to obtain. The best of Brahmins, surrounded by blooming lotuses, mingled with groups of Rudra’s women, who delighted in playful water games. Some were absorbed in festivals and celebrations, others moved gracefully at every step, attached to the pleasures of village life, shining like the ruby gem. Upon seeing these assemblies of women belonging to Bhava, the supreme soul, the gods stood all around, struck with wonder. They beheld the multitude of Rudra’s hosts and thousands of heroic leaders among them. The celestial palaces of the Lord of gods appeared before them, with golden stairways adorned with diamonds, beryl, and crystal. On the pinnacles of these palaces were joyous women with lotus-like eyes and broad hips—Yakshas, Gandharvas, and Apsarases mingled together. Kinnaris and Kinnaras, serpent-beings, Siddha maidens, and others, each wearing various garments and adorned with diverse ornaments, were present. Endowed with various powers and fond of diverse enjoyments, they resembled blue lotus petals, their eyes elongated like lotus leaves. They shone beautifully, their garments like lotus filaments, adorned with bangles, anklets, necklaces, parasols, and decorated robes. Fond of decoration and adorned with many ornaments, these celestial beauties dazzled the gods. The leaders of the hosts, too, were splendid. Led by Indra, the gods proceeded to the city of the Lord of hosts, the enemy of cities. Having witnessed all these wonders, the groups of gods and Siddhas, led by Puruhuta (Indra), stood in the middle of the city, beholding the foremost palace of the supreme Lord, which shone with the color 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. Upon seeing Nandin, all the gods bowed and greeted him with cries of "Victory!" The lord of the hosts replied, "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 spoke, "Show us the boon-giving god, radiant as the lord of elephants, Maheshvara, so that we may be released from the bonds of existence. Formerly, when the three cities were to be burned, we were called 'beasts.' Because of this, O steadfast one, we are anxious regarding this 'beast-hood.'" Nandin answered, "The Pashupata vow was declared by Bhava, the supreme lord. By this vow, O lord of beings, 'beast-hood' does not exist at all. Now, whether for twelve years, or twelve months, or even for twelve days, if one observes that supreme vow, all beings are freed from the bonds of existence." He revealed this to the gods, with Nārāyaṇa at their head. Nandī, son of Śilāda, foremost among all hosts of beings, upon seeing the imperishable Lord Īśāna together with Sāmbā and his attendants, bowed and praised him. Their skin bristled with joy as they informed the blue-throated one of the release from the bonds of existence. Standing before Śambhu, they repeatedly bowed down. Seeing them all, the god of gods, the bull-bannered one, purified the state of bondage from those gods. Maheśvara himself instructed them in the Pāśupata vow. He taught it also to the sages, together with Ambā. From that time, all those gods have been known as Pāśupatas. Because he is the lord of beings, and they are directly deities, therefore they are called Pāśupatas; and again, they performed austerities. Then, at the end of twelve years, the excellent gods, freed from their bonds, all departed as they had come, along with Brahmā and Viṣṇu. All this has been told as heard from the mouth of the Grandfather, formerly by Sanatkumāra, and thus by the wise Vyāsa.