With deep humility, the Brahmin bowed before Mahadeva, the great Lord of gods, and spoke with earnest devotion: “Be gracious, O Lord; may unwavering faith and your divine presence always abide in me.” Hearing this heartfelt plea, Shankara, the compassionate one, smiled gently. Pleased with the Brahmin’s devotion, he granted the desired boon, and then, in an instant, vanished from sight. It was at this time that Vasudeva Krishna, whose actions are ever pure and untainted, beheld the Brahmin. From Dhaumya’s elder brother, Krishna received the sacred vow of the Pashupata, the supreme spiritual discipline. How did Krishna, the wise and eternal one, acquire this exalted knowledge? O Suta, the sages asked, tell us this story that destroys all sin. Though Krishna, Lord Vasudeva, had descended to earth by his own divine will, he nonetheless performed bodily purification, as if to chide the limitations of human existence. Desiring a son, the Blessed Lord resolved to undertake austerities, and so he journeyed to the ashram of the illustrious sage Upamanyu. There, Krishna beheld the radiant sage. With great reverence, Krishna approached Dhaumya’s elder brother. He bowed deeply and circumambulated the sage three times, honoring him as tradition prescribes. Merely by the sight of that exalted sage, all impurities that might have arisen in Krishna—whether of body or action—were instantly destroyed. Upamanyu, resplendent in his ascetic power, sprinkled sacred ashes and addressed Krishna, calling him by the names of Agni, Vayu, and other deities, recognizing the divine in him. With a mind filled with delight, Upamanyu then imparted to Krishna the divine knowledge of the Pashupata vow. By the sage’s grace, Krishna became fully worthy of this supreme discipline. After a full year of devoted austerity, Krishna beheld Maheshvara, the Great God, serene and accompanied by his son Samba and his attendants. By the Lord’s blessing, Krishna was granted a son. From that time onward, all ascetic sages, steadfast in their vows, remained with Krishna, who was now endowed with the divine Pashupata knowledge. Now, listen to another sacred practice, always taught for the liberation of living beings. One should fashion a golden girdle and carry a staff for support. Men and women alike should prepare a golden seat, a fan, a staff, as well as an inkpot and a pen. Razors, scissors, or a vessel—these too should be offered to a Pāśupata yogin, whose body is anointed with sacred ashes. These items, according to one’s means, may be made of gold, silver, or copper. In giving them, one should honor the yogin with wisdom and respect. Whoever does so—along with their entire family—is freed from all sin and attains the divine state of Rudra; let there be no doubt about this. Thus, by such offerings, a householder is liberated from worldly bondage; by honoring yogins, Śiva is swiftly pleased. If one desires the highest liberation, one should even give away kingdom, sons, auspicious wealth, horses, vehicles, or all one’s possessions. With this fleeting body, one should diligently pursue the eternal goal—the auspicious Pāśupata path, which alone is the means to cross the ocean of worldly existence. All this has been told to you in brief. Let there be no doubt: whoever recites or hears this sacred account attains the world of Viṣṇu.