As the events unfolded, Hari, having taken leave of Bhīma, approached Hara and, unnoticed, swiftly made his way to the milk ocean, suspecting that something was amiss. Meanwhile, Rāhu, the moon-biter, arrived at the exceedingly radiant mansion of Śaṃkara. Catching sight of his own reflection in its brilliance, he was astonished and wondered aloud, “What is this?” With a desire to enter, Rāhu was stopped at the doorway by the powerful, armed doorkeepers. Though he attempted to proceed, they forbade him, brandishing their weapons to deter him. Nandī, the chief attendant, restrained the other guards and addressed Rāhu: “Who are you, shaggy one? Why have you come here? State your business before these fearsome attendants slay you.” Rāhu replied, “I am the messenger of Jalandhara. Take me before Shiva. Do not say anything further, doorkeeper—the great king’s business is urgent.” Hearing these words, Nandi, whose form was blue and red, went before Śaṃkara, bowed in reverence, and spoke: “O great king, the son of Simhika stands at the door on business. Let him go or let him come in, as you command.” Lord Maheshvara, hearing Nandi’s words and seeming in haste, sent the goddess, who was resting in the inner chambers, away with her companions. Then he instructed Nandi: “Bring the messenger in.” Mighty Nandi took Rāhu by the hand and brought him into the midst of the gods, presenting him before Shambhu. Rāhu beheld Shiva: matted-haired, dark in complexion, with five faces and ten arms, adorned with a serpent as his sacred thread, bereft of the goddess, and crowned with the crescent moon. Shiva inhaled and exhaled deeply, attended by the Pramatha hosts, surrounded by the gods, and worshipped by multitudes of attendants. Seeing the messenger before him, Shambhu said, “Speak.” Rāhu began: “O god, I am sent by Jalandhara into your presence. Hear his message from my mouth and act quickly. O Lord of the Mountain, you are devoted to austerity, without qualities, devoid of righteousness; you have neither father nor mother, nor lineage or family. Jalandhara, mighty-armed, enjoys the three worlds; you too are under his control, so do as he commands. How is it that you, the ancient one, passionate, riding the bull, have sons—Skanda and Vinayaka—who have now arrived?” At that moment, the god of gods, silent and restraining his limbs, made a gesture with his hands, and Vasuki, the serpent, fell to the ground. The tail of the mouse, vehicle of Heramba (Ganesha), was seized by Vasuki; seeing his own tail caught, the mouse cried out loudly, “Release! Release!” Hearing the mouse’s cry and seeing Skanda’s mount agitated, Vasuki, fearful, released the mouse’s tail. Then, Vasuki climbed onto Shiva’s body, wrapped himself around his neck, and remained there; from his breath, fire was produced. The heat from Vasuki caused the crescent moon resting in Shiva’s matted hair to become moist, drenching Shiva’s body as if flooded. From the streams of nectar released, a garland adorned the heads of Brahma and the guardians of Shiva’s crest, reviving them at that moment. The heads recited all the sequences of yoga and sacred teachings they had previously learned, and hearing each other’s recitations, they began to dispute, each claiming: “I am the first, I am the beginning, I alone am the supreme beyond the supreme; I am the creator, I am the sustainer.” They lamented, “These things were neither given, nor enjoyed, nor offered by me; with a mind seized by greed, not even wealth was given to Brahma.” From the Lord’s matted locks, a great attendant appeared—three-faced, three-legged, three-tailed, and possessing seven hands. This was the great, tawny-haired, matted one named Kirtimukha. Seeing him, the garland of skulls stood still in fear, as if lifeless. Kirtimukha, exceedingly hungry, bowed to Shiva and addressed him with his attendants. Shankara instructed him, “Devour those slain in battle.” After pondering, Kirtimukha found no battle nor any slain to devour. He approached to devour Brahma, but was restrained by Shankara. Then, Kirtimukha devoured his own entire body. Overcome by extreme hunger and forbidden everywhere, Shiva, seeing Kirtimukha’s bold act and devotion, was pleased and spoke: “Dwell always at my temple; whoever is devoid of your remembrance in my abode—he will quickly fall.” Having spoken thus, Kirtimukha vanished. At that moment, the gods showered flowers upon Shambhu’s head. Witnessing such a wondrous event in Shiva’s assembly, even Svarbhanu was amazed and addressed the Lord again: “How do the senses forcibly touch you, O Bhava, who are self-controlled and attained by yogins? You are worshipped by the senses, but how can you be reached by the objects of sense? You accept worship from all the guardians of the worlds, beginning with Brahma; but you, O god, do not see anyone, nor do you worship anyone. How is it that you, the Lord, are established in the world as a beggar for alms? You conceal the beautiful Gauri, O lord of yogis—give her to me. Now, together with your sons Skanda and Lambodara, take the alms bowl and wander always from house to house.” Thus, in many ways, Rahu spoke to the Lord. But the Blessed One, hearing this, remained silent, offering no reply. Then, leaving the silent Lord, Rahu addressed Nandi: “You are the minister and general, O grim-faced one, bearer of the emblem.” Such were the events that transpired in the radiant assembly of the Trident-bearer, filled with awe, divine mystery, and the interplay of gods and messengers.