With profound reverence, the assembled gods bowed to the One who is immediate, whose form is immediate, who has just appeared; they honored the One who turns to the left, who is shaped to the left, whose eye is leftward. They offered salutations to the One who assumes a human form, the sole Supreme Person, source of all. To the Giver of all the aims of human life, to the Lord, the Supreme Creator and Ruler, their bows were repeated again and again. They worshiped Him as Brahmā, as the One who takes Brahmā’s form, and as Śiva Himself, who assumes the forms of Viṣṇu and Narasiṃha, the Maker of the universe. They recalled how, for the welfare of the world, He had slain Hiraṇyakaśipu with His own sharp nails, along with many demon lords. Assuming the womb of a lion, He had shaken the entire world, and the gods implored Him: “O Lord of gods, do what must be done—be present here.” They acknowledged His fierce power among the wicked, His control over all, and His auspiciousness for those who seek refuge. With the form of Kālakūṭa and others, they begged Him to protect them. “O Lord of the universe,” they said, “purity is Your play. By the opening and closing of Your eyes, dissolution and creation unfold.” “If You open Your eyes, O Brahman, there is no destruction; if not, O Śiva, we are tormented by the immeasurable radiance of Hari.” They observed that, for the welfare of all worlds, He wished to destroy this essence. Thus addressed, the god smiled and spoke to the assembled gods. The Lord assured them safety, promising, “I will slay him.” Indra and the other gods bowed and departed as they had come, and blessed Brahmā too withdrew, along with the foremost deities. Then, Mahādeva arose and assumed the form of Śarabha. He went to the edge where the proud, beast-devouring Narasiṃha was. Śarabha, honored by the gods, took Narasiṃha’s life. Then, Narasiṃha transformed from lion to man and departed in due order, praised by the gods. It was declared that whoever recites or hears this excellent hymn to Śarva, having attained the world of Rudra, rejoices there together with Rudra. The gods wondered: How did the great Lord, the cause of the universe’s destruction, assume the terrifying and deformed form called Śarabha? What courage did He display? They asked for the story in full. Thus requested, the compassionate Lord resolved to recount the events. To destroy the energy known as Narasiṃha, the supreme Lord Rudra remembered Vīrabhadra, mighty and heroic. Rudra Himself took on the form of Bhairava, the cause of great dissolution, and appeared before the hosts, laughing. He was surrounded by the chief gaṇas, roaring with loud laughter, leaping here and there, and encircled by countless fierce forms of Narasiṃha. Around Him danced heroic ones, steadfast like Brahmā and others, as if playing with balls. He was surrounded by others never seen before, honored by heroes, with three eyes shining like fire at the end of an age. His matted locks were adorned with the blazing crescent moon, and his two sharp fangs resembled twin crescent moons. His eyebrows were like fragments of Indra’s bow, and his mighty, fierce roar deafened the quarters. Terrifying, with a beard like a dark raincloud or collyrium, wondrous, he whirled his trident with both unbroken hands. Vīrabhadra, manifesting heroic power, asked, “What is the reason for this remembrance? Command, O Lord of the world, let your favor be shown to me. Even the gods are struck with fear at this untimely terror, O Bhairava.” He continued, “That Narasiṃha-fire blazes forth; pacify him, who is hard to approach. Appease and instruct him at first—why does he not become calm? Then, reveal my supreme state, the subtle Bhairava, by withdrawing the gross with the gross radiance and the subtle with the subtle. Bring the face and the skin, O Vīrabhadra, by my command.” Thus instructed, Vīrabhadra stood with tranquil form, and swiftly went to where the lion among men resided. Vīrabhadra awakened Hari, and Hara awakened Hari. Īśāna spoke as a father to his son: “For the happiness of the world, O blessed one, you have descended, O Mādhava. You are engaged in sustaining, by the Supreme Lord; the circle of beings has been protected by you in the form of a fish. Binding with the tail, you once moved in the single ocean; you bore the earth as a tortoise, and lifted it as a boar. “With this form of Hari, Hiraṇyakaśipu was slain; with the dwarf, Bali was bound by your stride again. You alone are the power and imperishable lord of all beings; whenever suffering arises in the world, you descend and free it from affliction. None is greater or equal to you, O Hari, devoted to Śiva. “By you, dharma and the Vedas are established on the auspicious path; for this purpose is your descent, and that one was slain, O Keśava. Your form as Narasiṃha is exceedingly fierce, O Lord; withdraw it, for you are the soul of the universe, and remain with me.” Thus addressed by Vīrabhadra, Narasiṃha, with gentle words, Hari ignited an even greater, terrible wrath.