Listen, dear ones, to the sacred teachings imparted by the Lord. He declares, “This liṅga is ever of my own essence, the very cause of my presence. It is to be greatly revered, for there is no difference between the liṅga and its bearer. Wherever and by whomever my liṅga like this is established, there I am established, even if I am not established elsewhere. The fruit of installing a single liṅga is equality with me; when a second liṅga is installed, the result is oneness with me. The liṅga should be installed as primary, and the image as secondary; if the liṅga is absent, then even with an image, that place is incomplete.” Moved by devotion, the sons then beseech the Lord, “O Lord, tell us the characteristics of the five acts beginning with creation.” Out of compassion, the Lord replies, “I will explain to you the secret knowledge of my duties. Creation, preservation, dissolution, concealment, and grace—these five are my constant and perfect activities regarding the world, O unborn and imperishable ones. Creation is the commencement of the cycle of existence; its establishment is called preservation; dissolution is its destruction, and concealment is its withdrawal. Liberation is grace; thus, these five are my acts. While I perform these acts, others remain silent, like the reflection in a city gate. The four acts beginning with creation are the expansion of worldly existence; the fifth, liberation, is always firmly established in me as the cause of release.” The Lord continues, “These five acts are seen among my people in the five elements: creation on earth, preservation in water, dissolution in fire; concealment is in air, and grace is here in space. By earth, all is created; by water, all grows. All is consumed by fire, carried away by wind, and supported by space; thus, the wise should understand it in this way. To understand these five acts of mine, there are five faces; in the four directions are four faces, and in the middle, the fifth face.” He then addresses his sons, “By your austerity, you have obtained these two acts—creation and preservation—this fortune, most dear to me, has been given by me out of affection. Likewise, the two supreme acts called grace, belonging to Rudra and Maheśa, cannot be obtained by anyone else. All those ancient deeds have been forgotten by you both due to the passage of time; but such deeds have not been forgotten by Rudra and Maheśa. In form, attire, action, vehicle, seat, and weapons, we have made everything equal to ourselves for that purpose. Because of separation from my knowledge, O calves, this confusion has arisen in you; if my knowledge were present, there would not be such pride in form like Maheśa. Therefore, for the attainment of my knowledge, recite henceforth the mantra named Om, which destroys pride in me.” The Lord instructs, “I have taught you my own mantra, the great and auspicious Om; Om was first produced from my mouth, awakening my consciousness. This is the utterer, I am the uttered; this mantra is truly of my own nature; its constant remembrance is my constant remembrance. The syllable ‘u’ comes before the northern face, ‘ka’ from the western face, ‘ma’ from the southern face, and the bindu from the eastern face. The sound arises from the central face; thus, it expands in five ways; when united again, it becomes the single syllable ‘Om’ in the same manner. All that exists, consisting of name and form, the two families of Veda, is pervaded by this mantra, and it reveals both Śiva and Śakti. From this, the five-syllabled mantra was produced, which reveals all; in the order beginning with ‘a’ and likewise beginning with ‘na’. From this five-syllabled mantra arose the mothers in five divisions; therefore, from the head and four faces, the three-footed Gāyatrī is indeed threefold. From that, all the Veda was born, and from that, countless mantras; by those mantras, their respective accomplishments, and from this, all attainments arise. By this root-mantra, both enjoyment and liberation are attained; all the kingly mantras directly bestow auspicious enjoyments.” Then, for Brahmā and Viṣṇu, the teacher placed a veil and instructed the supreme mantra, placing his lotus hand gently on their heads as they sat facing north, together with Ambikā. Having recited the mantra three times, as prescribed in the yantra and tantra texts, he offered those two disciples on his right, as well as himself. With their hands bound, those two, standing nearby, praised the very god, the teacher of the world: “Salutations to the one of formless nature; salutations to the one of formless radiance; salutations to the lord of all forms; salutations to the soul of all. Salutations to the One denoted by the syllable Om, salutations to the One whose form is the Om-shaped liṅga, salutations to the Creator of creation and all that follows, salutations to the One with five faces. Salutations to the One who is the embodiment of the five Brahmas, who performs the five acts; to You, the Self, the Supreme, of infinite qualities and powers. Salutations to Śambhu, the Guru, who is of all and partless forms.” Having praised the Guru with verses, Brahmā and Viṣṇu bowed. The Lord then spoke, “O dear ones, all the principles have been explained and shown to you. Recite the mantra Om, which was given by the Goddess and is of My own essence. Through this, knowledge becomes firm, fortune becomes everlasting, and all is made eternal. On the fourteenth day, when Ardra is present, reciting this brings inexhaustible merit. When Ardra coincides with the Sun’s course, the merit becomes ten million times greater. The final portion of Mṛgaśīrṣa and the beginning of Punarvasu are likewise auspicious. Ardra should always be regarded as equal for worship, offerings, and oblations. The sight of the liṅga at dawn, during the time of early morning, is especially meritorious. The fourteenth day that extends into midnight should be observed, and if it extends into the evening, it is especially praised.” Thus, the Lord imparted his secret wisdom, the glory of the liṅga, the five acts, the sacred mantras, and the auspicious times for worship, guiding his dear ones into the heart of his eternal essence.