Hear now the sacred narrative detailing the worship of Mahādeva, the supreme Lord Śiva, as conveyed in the revered scripture. Śiva, the lord of all gods, is established within the lotus, and so the wise must never neglect the Śrī-patra leaf when offering their worship. Among the lotuses, the blue, the regular, and especially the red are highly potent, each bearing its own efficacy. The stone lotus, in particular, bestows success in all endeavors. Incense arising from black agaru wood has the power to destroy all sins. Offerings of fragrant substances such as guggulu and others are also to be presented, for sandalwood removes all diseases and grants every attainment; likewise, incense fulfills all desires and purposes. Incense made from both white and black agaru, as well as the gentle sītārī, directly bestows liberation. Within the white arka flower resides Prajāpati, the four-faced creator. In the karṇikāra flower abides the goddess of wisdom herself. In the karavīra flower is Gaṇādhyakṣa; in the bakula, Nārāyaṇa himself; and in all fragrant flowers dwells the daughter of the mountain, Pārvatī. Thus, according to what is available and within one’s means, one should worship the Lord of gods with these auspicious flowers, incense, and other offerings, always with devotion. Then, with reverence, sweet rice and other great cooked foods—prepared with ghee and containing all kinds of ingredients—should be offered. Or, pure rice or mung-bean rice, whether half or a full measure, along with a yak-tail fan and a palm-leaf fan, may be presented to him with devotion. All auspicious offerings, even those acquired rightfully, and various gifts should be purified with water before being presented. One must offer to Rudra with a heart full of devotion, for milk is indeed the immortal sustenance that maintains all the gods. By Viṣṇu and Jīṣṇu, all food is established; and by the gift of food, Śaṅkara is pleased with all beings. Therefore, one should worship the god with food, for life itself is established in food. Satisfaction is found in the offering, and in the side-dishes resides the wind itself. The great god, soul of all, lord of waters flowing in fragrant streams, is the very seat of manifest nature, established with the great principle and others. Thus, one should worship the god with devotion each month, according to the prescribed rule. On the full moon, one should undertake the vow for the attainment of all desired aims. Truthfulness, purity, compassion, peace, contentment, and charity—these virtues should be practiced. On the days of the full and new moon, fasting should also be undertaken. At the end of the year, one should especially give cows and release a bull; with devotion, Brahmins learned in the Vedas should be fed. The liṅga, worshipped with all kinds of offerings, should be installed in a sacred place of Śiva or given to a Brahmin. Whoever, O best of sages, observes this great vow of the Śiva-liṅga with devotion each month, is truly the foremost among ascetics. Such a devotee, having gone to the divine city of Śiva in aerial chariots shining like ten million suns and adorned with jewels, never returns to this mortal realm again. Or, even if one observes this supreme vow for a single month, he attains the world of Śiva—of this, there is no doubt. If one’s mind is attached and desires other boons, by observing the vow for a year, he attains those wishes and then reaches Śiva. Whether it be divinity, ancestorhood, sovereignty among gods, or the status of Gaṇapati—whatever one is attached to, he attains. A seeker of knowledge gains knowledge; a seeker of enjoyment attains pleasure; a seeker of wealth finds treasure; and one desiring long life achieves longevity. Whatever desires he contemplates, he enjoys them here, and by the vow of a single month, ultimately attains the state of Rudra. This pure, supreme, and secret vow was established by the creator of the universe for the welfare of gods, asuras, siddhas, mortals, and vidyādharas, by the supreme Śiva himself. Having worshipped the Lord in this manner according to rule, bowing with the head together with servants and sons, one should recite the hymn called 'Vyapohana' and circumambulate Śiva with effort. This hymn, composed by the creator of the universe for the welfare of the three worlds, was offered by the great and venerable god, the grandfather of all, together with the gods. Now, the 'Vyapohana' hymn is declared, bestowing all attainments and auspiciousness, as heard from the mouth of Nandin by the great-souled Kumāra. Therefore, with great respect, this was told to Vyāsa: Salutation to Śiva, the pure, the spotless, the illustrious one. Salutations to the destroyer of the wicked, the all-pervading, the supreme soul, who has five faces, ten arms, and fifteen eyes. He is pure, shining like crystal, adorned with every ornament, all-knowing, all-pervading, peaceful, and excellently established above all. May the lord of Soma, seated on a lotus throne, swiftly remove my sin—he who is Īśāna, the Supreme Person, Aghora, and Sadyas. May the blessed Vāmadeva swiftly remove my sin—he who is endless, lord of all knowledge, all-knowing, the giver of all, the sovereign. He who is accomplished in single-minded meditation on Śiva—may he remove my sin; subtle, lord of gods and demons, lord of all, worshipped by the Gaṇas. He who is accomplished in single-minded meditation on Śiva—may he remove my sin; the highest Śiva, greatly revered, devoted to meditation on Śiva. He who is all-pervading, the giver of all, peaceful—may he remove my sin; the one-eyed blessed lord, devoted to the worship of Śiva. He who is accomplished in single-minded meditation on Śiva—may he remove my sin; the blessed lord, the Trimūrti, awakener of devotion to Śiva. He who is accomplished in single-minded meditation on Śiva—may he remove my sin; Śrīkaṇṭha, the lord of fortune, glorious, always intent on meditation upon Śiva. Thus, the sacred narrative and hymn are revealed, guiding the devotee in worship and devotion to Mahādeva, the supreme Lord, bestowing all blessings and liberation.