Shiva, the great Lord, appeared before the messenger with a wondrous form: five radiant faces, ten powerful arms, and a sacred thread fashioned from a serpent draped across his chest. The goddess was not by his side, but a crescent moon shone upon his matted hair, crowning his head with its gentle glow. With deep, resounding breaths, Shiva stood surrounded by the fierce hosts of Pramathas and encircled by all the assembled gods, each one worshipping him with devoted reverence, joined by countless attendants. When the messenger, Rahu, arrived and stood before him, Shiva—known as Shambhu—simply said, “Speak.” Rahu then began his message: “O Lord, I have been sent by Jalandhara to deliver his words to you. Listen carefully and act without delay. O Lord of the Mountain, you are famed for your austerity, yet you are described as without qualities or righteousness, without father, mother, lineage, or family. Jalandhara, mighty of arm, now enjoys sovereignty over the three worlds, and even you, O Shiva, are said to be under his command. Therefore, do as he instructs. “How is it that you, the ancient one, passionate and riding the bull, have sons—Skanda and Vinayaka—who are now present here?” At that moment, Shiva, the god of gods, fell silent, restraining his limbs. He made a gesture with his hands, and immediately Vasuki, the great serpent, fell to the ground. In the commotion, Vasuki seized the tail of the mouse, the vehicle of Heramba, Ganesha. The mouse, feeling its tail caught, cried out in distress, “Release! Release!” Skanda’s mount, too, became agitated, and its loud cries filled the air. Fearing the consequences, Vasuki released the mouse’s tail. Vasuki then slithered up Shiva’s body, coiling himself around the Lord’s neck. From the serpent’s breath, fire emerged, and the heat caused the crescent moon nestled in Shiva’s matted locks to become moist. The divine body of Shiva was drenched, as if flooded by a celestial stream. The nectar that flowed from the moon formed a garland, which adorned the heads of Brahma and the guardians of Shiva’s crest, reviving them with its life-giving essence. At this time, the five faces of Shiva began to recite all the sequences of yoga and the sacred teachings they had learned. Hearing each other’s knowledge, the heads began to argue, each contending, “I am the first! I am the beginning! I alone am the supreme beyond the supreme! I am the creator, I am the sustainer!” Their voices rose in eager dispute. They lamented, “These things were neither given nor enjoyed nor offered by me; seized by greed, not even wealth was given to Brahma.” Then, from Shiva’s matted locks, a great attendant manifested—a being with three faces, three legs, three tails, and seven hands. This was the mighty, tawny-haired, matted one known as Kirtimukha. Upon seeing him, the garland of skulls that adorned Shiva stood still in terror, as if lifeless. Kirtimukha, exceedingly hungry, bowed to Shiva with his attendants and addressed the Lord. Shankara instructed him, “Devour those slain in battle.” Kirtimukha searched everywhere, but finding no battlefield and no slain, he approached Brahma to devour him. But Shankara restrained him, and so, in his desperation and hunger, Kirtimukha devoured his own body entirely. Seeing this bold act and Kirtimukha’s devotion, Shiva was deeply pleased. He blessed Kirtimukha, saying, “Dwell always at my temple. Whoever enters my abode without remembering you will quickly fall.” Having received this boon, Kirtimukha vanished. In that moment, the gods showered flowers upon Shiva’s head in celebration. Even Svarbhanu, witness to these wondrous events in Shiva’s assembly, was astonished and addressed Shiva again: “O Bhava, how do the senses touch you, who are self-controlled and attained by yogis? Though worshipped by the senses, how can you be reached by the objects of sense? You are worshipped by all the guardians of the worlds, beginning with Brahma, yet you yourself do not see or worship anyone. How is it, O Lord, that you are seen as a beggar for alms in the world? Why do 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 from house to house.” Thus, in many ways, Rahu spoke to Shiva. But the Blessed Lord heard all this in silence and did not reply. Leaving the silent god, Rahu turned to Nandi, the grim-faced general and minister, and addressed him: “You have acted wrongly and should be corrected. Otherwise, in anger, you will fall slain in battle, just as Indra did.” Hearing these words, Nandi informed Shiva, and by a mere gesture of the Lord’s brows, he understood Shiva’s will. Paying his respects, Nandi, chief of the Gaṇas, sent Rahu away. Then, going to Jalandhara, Nandi described in detail all that had occurred with Svarbhanu and the enchanting form of Gauri. At that time, elsewhere, the sage Narada recounted that Nārāyaṇa, the Lord, was dwelling in the forest, clad in garments of matted bark. His second attendant approached, carrying fruit in his hand. There, a messenger of Kāma, with eyes soft as a doe, lamented upon seeing them. Hearing her words, both Nārāyaṇa and his attendant spoke gently to her: “Do not be afraid, O auspicious one. We have come to protect you. How did you enter this dreadful forest, haunted by the wicked?” Thus consoling the slender woman, Mādhava addressed the demon who held her captive: “Release this gentle-limbed, lovely-smiling woman from your vile conduct. Fool of evil ways, what are you intent on doing? Do you wish to make all the eyes of the world your food? By the power of virtue, let this earth be rid of its adornment; today, let the world be without light, and let Kāma be stripped of pride. If you kill Vṛndā in the forest, you will indeed act, but quickly release this goddess of the palace of happiness.” Thus unfolded these wondrous and profound events among the gods and sages.