The measure of intellect, strength, sovereignty, and action among the great is itself vast and immeasurable; for, since nothing else exists apart from it, all things proceed from that alone. I have taken refuge in him whose sovereignty knows neither beginning nor end—this is my unshakeable and enduring resolve. Hearing these words of the goddess, the assembled sages were free to go or remain as they wished. Overwhelmed with joy, their eyes brimming with tears, they embraced the ascetic maiden, the daughter of the mountain, and addressed her with words as sweet as nectar. “O daughter, how wondrous you are! Pure and radiant as the very embodiment of knowledge, you bring delight to our hearts, abiding in the essence of existence. “We are well aware of the marvelous sovereignty of that Lord; we have come here only to ascertain the firmness of your resolve. Soon, O slender-limbed one, your desire will be fulfilled. Just as the sun’s radiance does not depart from precious gems, so too does brilliance remain undivided. What need is there for vague words? How can we depart without Girisha? We have no other recourse but to entreat him. “That purpose, too, dwells deep within our hearts. Thus, you alone are wisdom, you alone are the right path. Without doubt, Shankara himself will accomplish all that is needed.” Having spoken thus, the sages, honored by the maiden of the mountain, took their leave. They journeyed to the great plateau of Himavat to see Girisha, their souls purified by the sacred waters of the Ganga, their matted locks bound and tawny. With hands adorned with garlands of mandara flowers, followed by swarms of bees, they ascended the mountain and reached Shankara’s hermitage. All around, the forest was calm and newly stilled; in every direction, waterfalls and streams were hushed and undisturbed. At the entrance, I saw a heroic attendant, staff in hand, and the seven venerable sages stood there, humble and respectful of their sacred mission. These foremost of eloquent ones addressed the attendant with gentle words: “We have come to see the protector, the leader of the hosts, the giver of refuge. Know him as the three-eyed one; prompted by the needs of the gods, you alone are our true refuge and truth, for time itself cannot surpass you. This is our request, often placed before the Lord who guards the threshold.” Hearing them, the attendant responded with due respect: “In a moment, the Lord will come to bathe at the Mandakini river, during the evening twilight of the sacrifice. O sages, there you will see the wielder of the trident.” Thus addressed, the sages waited eagerly for that auspicious moment, like thirsty chataka birds longing for the monsoon cloud’s rain. Soon, after completing his meditation and rituals, the Lord rose from his seat, covered with deerskin. The attendant, bowing low, approached the Lord and humbly said, “O radiant Lord, the seven sages have arrived, eager for your audience on behalf of the gods. Please grant them permission to approach you.” Thus addressed by his devoted attendant, Shiva signaled his consent with a subtle movement of the earth. The attendant bowed and summoned the great sages, who stood nearby, to the presence of the Lord. With hair bound in half-knots and antelope skins draped over their shoulders, the sages entered the sacred enclosure, resplendent with the glories of the Lord of the Mountain. With hands joined in reverence and bearing heaps of celestial flowers, they worshipped the feet of the bow-wielding Lord, feet revered by the dwellers of heaven. Gazed upon with gentle eyes by the trident-holder, the peaceful sages, filled with delight, praised the enemy of Kāma with heartfelt devotion. “Now we are truly fulfilled! Even the Lord of the gods would grant a boon here. By the pure water of your grace, some fruit is attained through austerity. Blessed indeed is Himalaya, whose daughter performs penance at his shelter; even the mighty demon king Tāraka, who uprooted all the gods, will meet his end. “Beholding your form, one is freed from bodily impurity; blessed is the mind that contemplates you—Brahmā the four-faced creator and Hari himself burn with longing for you. Those who hold your feet in their hearts, the sole cause for the pacification of great sins, speak of you alone as the doer of manifold deeds, for in truth, only you exist. “Therefore, today you alone have spoken; otherwise, the world would suffer from your lack of compassion. Or perhaps you do not know the suffering of beings, yet all actions are ultimately destroyed by you everywhere. If you neglect the distress of the worlds, how can your compassion be praised? There is no pure majesty of being, hidden in the cave of your yoga and maya, that is unknown to you. “We are most fortunate among embodied beings, for we behold you thus. Our heart’s desire is fulfilled, for without your vision, all would be in vain. You will act as the sole agent of the world’s arrangement, at the forefront of creation. Therefore, we sages, having set aside all speech, bow before the mountain-lord and the ground of his utterances, just as excellent farmers sow good seeds for a fruitful harvest.” Hearing their skillful and delightful words, the lord of speech, pleased, spoke with a beautiful smile. “I know well the noble purpose behind the world’s arrangement. The daughter born of the snowy mountain is destined for the highest good, as all signs indicate. All are truly eager, striving for the work of the gods; their minds hasten, but what is the intended task? “The wise especially must follow the course of the world; they serve dharma, and others remain established by its authority.