With their souls purified by the sacred waters of the Ganga, the seven venerable sages, their matted locks bound and tawny, ascended to the great plateau of Himavat. Their hands were adorned with mandara flowers and garlands, attracting bees as they made their way up the mountain. Upon reaching the plateau, they beheld the hermitage of Shankara, the abode of Shiva. The entire forest was enveloped in a profound calm. All beings were utterly still, and in every direction, the waterfalls and streams were silent, undisturbed. At the entrance, I saw a heroic attendant holding a staff, standing guard. The seven sages approached, humble in their purpose, and spoke sweet words to the attendant: “We have come to see the protector, the leader of the hosts, the one who grants refuge.” They declared, “Know him as the three-eyed one; prompted by the needs of the gods, you alone are our true refuge and truth, for even time does not overstep you. This is our request, always addressed to the lord who is the doorkeeper.” Hearing their respectful plea, the attendant replied, “In a moment, the Lord will come to bathe at the Mandakini river during the twilight of sacrifice. O sages, there you will see the wielder of the trident.” Thus informed, the sages waited eagerly for that moment, like thirsty chataka birds longing for the monsoon clouds. Soon, after completing his meditation and ritual, Shiva rose from his seat, which was covered with deerskin. The attendant, humbly kneeling, addressed the god with reverence: “O radiant Lord, the seven sages have arrived to see you. Please grant them permission to approach, for they are eager for your audience on behalf of the gods.” Shiva, addressed by his devoted attendant, signaled his permission with a movement of the earth. The attendant bowed his head and summoned the sages, who were standing nearby, to the presence of the wielder of the bow. With their hair bound in half-knots and antelope skins hanging down, the sages entered the sacred enclosure, adorned with the glories of the Lord of the Mountain. With joined hands and bearing heaps of celestial flowers, they worshipped Shiva’s feet, venerated by the dwellers of heaven. Shiva gazed upon them with gentle eyes, and the peaceful sages, delighted, together praised the enemy of Kāma with devotion. They exclaimed, “Ah, now we are truly fulfilled! Even the Lord of the gods will grant a boon here. By the pure water of your grace, one attains fruit through austerity.” They continued, “Blessed is Himalaya, whose daughter performs austerity at his shelter. Even Tāraka, king of the demons who uprooted all the gods, will meet his end. Seeing your portion, one is freed from impurity; blessed is he—the four-faced creator and Hari himself are ablaze with eagerness for you. Those who hold your feet in their hearts, the sole cause for pacifying great sins, speak of you alone as the one who performs manifold deeds, though only you truly exist.” “Therefore, today you alone have spoken; otherwise, the world would be touched by your lack of compassion, or perhaps you do not know this suffering of beings, yet all actions are destroyed by you everywhere. If you neglect the distress of the worlds, by what means is your compassion spoken of? There is no pure majesty hidden in the cave of your yoga and maya that is unknown. We are fortunate among embodied beings, for we behold you in this way; thus, our wish attains fulfillment, for without your vision it would be vain.” “You will act as the sole agent of the world’s arrangement, at the forefront of creation. Therefore, we sages, having abandoned speech, bow in your presence, O mountain-lord and ground of all utterances—like excellent farmers sowing good seeds for fruitful harvests.” Having heard their delightful speech, composed with skill and method, Shiva, the lord of speech, was pleased. With a beautiful smile, he spoke: “I know the noble purpose of the world’s arrangement. The daughter, born of the snowy mountain, is destined for the highest good, as indicated by signs. All are truly eager, striving for the work of the gods; their minds hasten, yet what is the intended task? The wise must especially follow the course of the world; they serve dharma, and others remain established by its authority.” Thus addressed, the sages quickly went to the Himalaya. There, honored by the snowy mountain with respect, the eminent sages, delighted, spoke a few words with urgency: “The god Pinaki seeks your daughter directly; purify yourself swiftly, as one does when offering oblations into fire. This task of the gods has long been turning; let the effort be made now for the rescue of the world.” Hearing this, the mountain was overwhelmed with joy and spoke to the sages, unable to reply, seeking Shiva for an answer. Then Menā, seeing the sages, spoke, her voice trembling with affection, to her daughter and to the sages. Seeking refuge at their feet, understanding their purpose, she said, “The purpose for which a daughter’s birth is desired, though it brings great fruit, has now entirely arrived in due course. Even if a suitor possesses family, birth, age, beauty, splendor, and wealth, the daughter should be given if he asks, having been summoned. How can the daughter depart, having undergone severe austerities? Whatever must be done according to her words, let that be accomplished.” Thus addressed by Menā, the beloved of the Lord of Snow, the sages again spoke noble words, pleasing to a mother’s heart: “Know that the sovereignty of Śaṅkara is attained by gods and demons alike, who, fully content, worship his lotus feet.