Then, the goddess Parvati, daughter of the mountain Himavat, ascended a resplendent golden chariot. It shone with auspiciousness on all sides and was adorned with every kind of precious jewel. Around her gathered celestial Apsaras, their forms radiant as they danced, each one adorned in dazzling ornaments. Gandharvas, Siddhas, and many kinds of Kinnaras—all beautiful and wondrous—surrounded her, lending their grace to the gathering. Bards extolled her glory as she stood, the mountain’s daughter, beneath a white parasol whose surface shimmered with the mingled rays of many jewels. Malini held out a garland for her, while Sandhya bore the radiant disc of the full moon. Divine women encircled the goddess, gently waving fly-whisks to honor her presence. Jaya stood nearby, holding a garland born from the celestial tree, and Vijaya attended with a fan, both offering their service to the goddess. Amidst this divine assembly, Parvati held the garland, and it was then that Mahadeva, the bull-bannered Lord, took the form of a playful child. The venerable Bhava, transformed thus, lay asleep in her lap. The gods beheld this wondrous sight—the child resting serenely in the lap of the goddess—and were filled with curiosity and agitation. They questioned among themselves, “Who is this here?” Indra, the slayer of Vritra, raised his arm, brandishing the thunderbolt, ready to act. But as he brought his arm near, intending to strike, he found himself restrained by the playful child, the god of gods. Indra could neither hurl his thunderbolt nor move his arm. In the same way, Agni was unable to unleash his fiery power. Yama could not wield his staff or sword; Nirriti, Varuna with his serpent noose, and Samira with his banner staff were all rendered motionless. Soma, holding his mace, Dhanesha with his staff, and Ishana with his fierce trident—all stood powerless, unable to act. The Rudras, bearing their tridents; the Adityas, armed with clubs; and the Vasus, holding hammers—every god in heaven was instantly restrained by the will of the child-god. Even Vishnu, shaking his head, stood with his discus raised, but found himself unable to hurl it or move his arms; the boy’s power held him fast. Pusan, gnashing his teeth in confusion at the boy, lost all his teeth with just a glance from Shambhu. The mighty one subdued all their strength, brilliance, and power, and the gods stood there, filled with anger and bewilderment. Brahma, greatly disturbed by these events, entered into deep meditation on Shankara. In his vision, he recognized the Lord, ruler of the gods, seated upon Uma’s lap. Astonished, Brahma quickly rose and bowed at Shambhu’s feet, offering him praise, saying, “You are the intellect of all worlds; you are the ego, O Lord. You alone are the initiator of beings and their senses, O ruler. I myself was created from your right hand, O ancient one; from your left hand, mighty-armed Lord, arose Narayana. And this goddess Prakriti is always your creative cause; assuming the form of your consort, she has become the cause of the world. “Salutations to you, O great god, and repeated salutations to the great goddess. By your grace and command, O Lord of gods, I have created all beings. These gods and others were created by me, but now, deluded by your power, they are restrained. Grant them your favor so they may return to their former state.” Having thus addressed the great god Maheshvara, Brahma, the Lotus-born, spoke of those who had been restrained. “All these gods are deluded and do not recognize Shankara, the god of gods, who has come here, honored by all. Go quickly for refuge, O gods, with Indra at your head, together with Narayana and all the sages, to Shankara, the Lord. Come with me to the Lord of gods, the supreme self, the ruler, along with this supreme Prakriti, the daughter of Himavat.” So, the foremost of the gods, though still restrained, bowed in their minds to the Lord, together with Narayana. Pleased by their humility, the three-eyed Lord of gods, at Brahma’s word, swiftly restored them to their original state. When all were thus appeased, the Lord of the gods manifested a divine and supremely wondrous form, restraining all the deities by his radiance. The gods—Indra, the Moon, the Sun, Brahma, the Sadhyas, and Narayana—together with Yama and the Rudras, yearned for a vision of the Lord. To them, he granted supreme sight, endowing them with the power to see all. Lord Sarva, master of waters, bestowed vision upon Bhavani and Cala as well. With this divine sight, the gods led by Indra and Vishnu—with Brahma, Shakra, and others—beheld Maheshvara. Brahma and the foremost among the gods hastened to bow, as did Bhavani and the Lord of the Mountain. The sages, the leaders of Shiva’s hosts, and those esteemed by Shiva showered flowers in adoration. The celestial beings, Siddhas, and Charanas did likewise. Divine drums resounded; the sages praised the Lord, the chief Gandharvas sang, and the Apsarases danced in joy. All the hosts rejoiced, and Parvati, the universal mother, was filled with delight. The goddess was thrilled amidst all the dwellers of heaven. She placed a divine, fragrant garland at the Lord’s feet, exclaiming, “Excellent, excellent!” and worshipped him there. Together with the goddess, all the gods—including Brahma—bowed with their heads touching the ground, joined by Yakshas, Nagas, and Rakshasas, offering their reverence to the supreme Lord.