As the sacred narrative unfolds, a host of divine beings are invoked—Mahakarna, Prabhata the subduer of great entities, Shyenajit, the messenger of Shiva, and the Pramathas, those who delight in increasing joy. Alongside them, the Mothers of all beings, numbering in their hundreds of millions, are called upon to always remove fear and sin through the grace of Mahadeva. Those who are solely devoted to meditating upon Shiva, whose form mirrors the majesty of mountains and waters, who shines with the purity of jasmine and the cool radiance of the moon, adorned with jasmine, a water pitcher, and the crescent moon, are described. Shiva is the enemy of the submarine fire, the one who splits the mouth of the submarine mare, standing firm upon four legs, gleaming white like the ocean of milk. He is ever established in the world of Rudra, surrounded by the Rudras and the leaders of hosts, the bull-lord, supporter of the universe, god, and father of the world. Always encircled by Nandi and others, and by the Mothers, Shiva is the destroyer of sacrifices, ever devoted to the worship of his own self. May he, in his mercy, remove my sin. Ganga, the mother of the world, established in Rudra’s realm, and Nanda, devoted to Shiva, are invoked for their power to remove sin. Bhadra and the goddess Bhadrapada, established in Shiva’s domain and greatly fortunate as the mother of cows, are also called upon for purification. Surabhi, ever auspicious in all directions and destroyer of all sins, always devoted to Rudra, is invoked for cleansing. Those of virtuous conduct, endowed with good qualities and bestowing prosperity, devoted to Shiva and always established in his realm, are prayed to for the removal of sin. The one who knows the true meaning of the Vedas and scriptures, who understands all actions, endowed with all virtues, the son of the Lord of all gods, is honored. He is the eldest, the Lord of all, gentle and noble, himself the great form of Vishnu, commander of the army, profound, and destroyer of sacrifices. Mounted upon Airavata the elephant, his hair curled and dark, his body black, eyes red, adorned with the moon and serpents, he is surrounded by spirits, ghosts, fiends, and goblins, all devoted to the worship of Shiva in person. May he remove my sin. The divine Mothers—Brahmani, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Mahendri, Chamunda, and Agneyika—are revered by all the worlds. These Yoginis, intent upon their purpose, are invoked to dispel great sin. Virabhadra, of great brilliance, shining like snow, jasmine, and the moon, the fierce son of Rudra, mighty-handed and bearing a trident, is described. With a thousand arms, knowing all things and bearing every weapon, his eyes blaze like sacrificial fire; he is the lord who grants safety to the three worlds. Ever the protector of the Mothers, riding the great bull, honored by the three worlds, glorious and devoted to the worship of Shiva’s feet. Virabhadra, who cut off the head of the sacrifice, destroyed the teeth of Pushan, took the hand of Agni, struck out Bhaga’s eyes, and with his big toe crushed Soma’s body, is known as the Lord and protector of the bodies of Upendra, Indra, Yama, and the other gods. He cut off the tip of Sarasvati’s nose, and as lord of the Ganas and commander of the army, may he remove my sin. The eldest and most excellent, the granter of boons, adorned with the finest ornaments, Mahalakshmi, mother of the world, is invoked for the removal of sin. She is greatly deluding, greatly fortunate, surrounded by hosts of great spirits, ever devoted to Shiva. Lakshmi, endowed with all virtues and possessing every mark, always present everywhere, the goddess, is called upon for purification. The great goddess, riding a lion, the imperishable daughter of Parvati, the sleep of Vishnu, the great illusion, Vaishnavi, worshipped by the gods, is described. The three-eyed, boon-giving goddess, slayer of Mahishasura, ever devoted to Shiva, Durga, is invoked to remove sin. The Rudras, bearers of the universe, revered by all the worlds, and all the truthful, mind-born ones, are called upon to remove fear. Spirits, ghosts, fiends, and leaders of the hosts of goblins, and the goblins themselves, are invoked to remove sin. Having praised the god with this hymn, one should complete everything at the end, bowing with the head to the ground each month, O best of the twice-born. Whoever recites or even hears this divine hymn of dispelling, having cast off all sins, is honored in the world of Rudra. Those who desire a bride obtain a bride; those who seek victory attain victory; those who desire wealth gain wealth; those who wish for sons obtain many sons. One who seeks knowledge attains knowledge; one who desires enjoyment obtains enjoyment; whatever other desires a person has, by hearing or reciting here, he attains them. All these desires are quickly fulfilled, and the reciter becomes dear to the gods, when this meritorious hymn is recited with a specific intention. Diseases arising from wind, bile, and the like do not afflict him; he does not die untimely, nor is he bitten even by serpents. Whatever merit comes from pilgrimages, whatever fruit comes from sacrifices, whatever merit comes from gifts, and especially from vows, that merit, multiplied a crore-fold, a person obtains by reciting. Even a slayer of cows, an ungrateful one, a hero-slayer, or a Brahmin-killer is purified. One who kills a refugee, betrays a friend’s trust, acts wickedly and sinfully, or kills mother or father—having cast off all sins, he is honored in the world of Shiva. Having attentively heard this meritorious hymn of dispelling, the listeners now request, “In connection with the giving of the liṅga, please tell us also about the vows.