When the supreme Lord appeared before them, the gods, led by Viṣṇu, felt both relief and lingering fear. With reverence, they bowed to Maheśvara, the great Lord Śiva. Observing their anxious faces, Hara—the remover of the suffering of those who bow—looked at his consort Pārvatī and, smiling gently, addressed the gods. “Do not be afraid, O gods,” he said, his voice both reassuring and compassionate. “You are my own people. The punishment you received was given only out of compassion, as a means to bestow favor. Your transgressions have been forgiven. Know that when we are truly angry, neither your position nor your very lives would remain. But now, be at peace.” Hearing these words from Śarva, whose brilliance is beyond measure, the gods felt their doubts melt away. Freed from fear, they burst into joyful dance. Their minds cleared and hearts overwhelmed with happiness, the celestial beings began to compose hymns, singing praises to Śaṃkara. “O Lord,” they sang, “you alone are the creator, protector, and destroyer of all worlds. You are the supreme master, manifesting as Kavi, Viṣṇu, and Rudra, whose very essence sustains the qualities of rajas, tamas, and sattva. Salutations to you, who are of all forms—the creator and purifier of the universe. Though formless, you assume a pleasing form for the sake of your devotees. “O Lord of gods, by your compassion, the moon was healed; after its decline, it found happiness through the offering of the sun’s rays. Sīmantinī, whose husband was slain, attained incomparable good fortune and sons through devotion to you and the vow of the moon day. You granted to Śrīkara your own supreme abode, and Sudarśana became invincible before the might of kings. “Ocean of compassion, you rescued Medura and his wife, and by your grace, Śāradā—once widowed—became whole again. You removed the misfortune of Bhadrāyuṣ and granted him happiness; Sauminī was freed from worldly bondage by serving you. O Śambhu, Lord of the rivers, you create, sustain, and destroy through the three qualities, always seeking the welfare of all beings. You remove pride, manifest brilliance, dwell hidden within all knowledge, and bestow every grace. “From you everything comes, and you are everything. In you, O Lord of the Mountain, all things abide. Protect us, protect us, protect us again—show mercy upon us.” At that moment, Brahmā, joining his palms in reverence, bowed deeply. Seizing the opportunity, he addressed the trident-bearing Lord. “Victory to you, O God, O Great God, remover of the distress of those who bow! In such offenses, who else but you shows favor? Those who have been defeated in battle and will be again—who else but you restores them when pleased? Whatever faults the gods committed in battle, let them be counted as ornaments, honored because you accepted them.” Śiva, hearing these words from Brahmā, looked at the face of the Goddess and smiled softly. Out of affection for Brahmā, whom he regarded as a son, the Lord restored the gods, beginning with the lotus-born, to their original state, healing their limbs as before. Likewise, the divine mothers, who had first been punished, had their forms restored by the Lord of the Mountain. Yet for Dakṣa, the blessed one, it was Brahmā himself—the grandsire—who, in keeping with Dakṣa’s sin, gave him the face of an old goat. Dakṣa, regaining consciousness and realizing he was alive, was filled with fear. He joined his palms and, lamenting greatly, praised Śambhu: “Victory to you, O Lord of the universe, bestower of grace upon the worlds! Have mercy, O Great Lord, and forgive my offense. You alone are the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of the worlds. Now I understand that you are the Lord of Viṣṇu and all others. All this is extended, pervaded, and created by you alone, and none like Acyuta or others are your superiors, O Lord.” Agitated, fearful, and unable to speak coherently, Dakṣa confessed his wrongdoing. Out of a desire to please Brahmā, his father, the Lord then granted Dakṣa the imperishable leadership of the Ganas. The gods and goddesses, their hearts full of humility, praised Śankara, Lord of Girijā: “Victory to you, Śankara, Lord of the gods, great master, protector of the distressed! Show mercy, O Maheshana, and truly forgive our offense. O guardian of sacrifice, lord and destroyer of sacrifices, show mercy, O Lord of the cremation ground, and forgive us. O God of gods, supreme Lord, nourisher of the life of devotees, giver of punishment to the wicked, master—show mercy; salutations to you. You remove pride from the wicked and the ignorant, but you are especially the protector of the virtuous, whose minds are devoted to you. Your deeds are wondrous, and by your compassion, all offenses are forgiven. Your greatness is your love for the afflicted.” Thus praised by Brahmā and the other immortals, the great Lord, ocean of compassion and master devoted to his devotees, was deeply pleased. He bestowed his favor upon Brahmā and all the gods, and, as the friend of the afflicted, gladly granted blessings to humans as well. Then, the supremely compassionate Lord, smiling, removed all their fears and addressed the gods who had sought his refuge: “Whatever has happened here, done by the gods as if compelled by fate, seeking refuge—know that all of it is already forgotten by us.” Thus, in his boundless mercy, the Supreme Lord restored peace and harmony among the gods, forgiving their faults and blessing all beings.