Upamanyu, filled with unwavering resolve, turned his mind to the Supreme, that ultimate reality spoken of by the knowers of Brahman as both existent and non-existent, manifest and unmanifest, eternal, one and many. It was this Supreme that he chose above all, untouched by the arguments of causality, the bestower of the highest fruits of Sāṃkhya and Yoga, worshipped by those who truly know. For Upamanyu, there was no reality higher than Shambhu—he who is the cause of all causes, the creator of Brahma, Vishnu, and all other gods, and who transcends all qualities. Having realized this great truth, Upamanyu reflected: if, in some previous birth, he had incurred the sin of hearing slander against Bhava, then the only recourse was to abandon his body immediately upon hearing such words, for that alone would grant one quick passage to the world of Shiva. Resolute, Upamanyu set aside even his longing for milk. Addressing Indra, whom he called the lowest of gods, he declared his intention to slay him with Shiva’s weapon and thus abandon his own body. Having spoken thus, the sage, his mind made up to die, prepared to attack Indra. He took up ashes empowered with the fearsome Aghora missile, cast them at Indra, and roared in defiance. His mind fixed upon the twin feet of Shambhu, Upamanyu entered into a fiery yogic concentration, intent on dissolving his own body. At that very moment, the blessed Lord Shiva, destroyer of Bhaga’s eye, gently restrained his yogic power. By the command of Nandīśvara, Nandī, beloved of Shankara, seized the Aghora missile that had been hurled. Then, the Supreme Lord himself appeared to Śipra, assuming his true form, adorned with the crescent moon as his crest. Shiva revealed before Upamanyu a thousand oceans of milk, oceans of nectar, curds, clarified butter, and fruits; he also showed oceans of food, mountains of cakes and sweets, all for the boy. The Lord appeared, seated with the goddess Parvati upon the bull, surrounded by the lords of the ganas and divine weapons such as the trident. In the heavens, celestial drums resounded and a shower of flowers fell, while the ten directions were filled with the assembled gods—Vishnu, Brahma, Indra, and all the rest. Enveloped by waves of bliss, Upamanyu fell prostrate upon the earth, his mind filled with devotion. At that moment, Lord Bhava, smiling, called him near, saying, “Come, come.” He gently smelled Upamanyu’s head and granted him boons: “Eat whatever food you desire, together with your kin, always. Be happy, ever free from sorrow, and remain devoted to me.” “O Upamanyu, greatly fortunate one, this Parvati is your mother; today I have made her my daughter and given you the ocean of milk, and also the oceans of honey, curd, clarified butter, rice, fruits, and more. Mountains of sweets, oceans of food and delicacies—all these I give to you, O great sage. Your father is Mahadeva, your mother is Jagadambika. I have granted you immortality and eternal leadership of the ganas. Choose boons with great delight, whatever your mind desires; I am pleased and will grant them all.” Having spoken thus, Mahadeva embraced Upamanyu with his hands, smelled his head, and presented him to Parvati, saying, “This is your son.” The goddess, with joyful affection, placed her lotus hand on his head and bestowed upon him the everlasting status of Kumara. Then, the ocean of milk itself appeared, holding sweet milk in its hand, and gave Upamanyu a lump of imperishable milk. Shiva granted him yogic power, constant contentment, imperishable knowledge of Brahman, supreme prosperity, and the highest fulfillment. Pleased by the greatness of Upamanyu’s austerity, Shambhu bestowed yet another boon: the Pashupata vow, true knowledge, the practice of vow and yoga, supreme eloquence, and the ability to teach for a long time. Having received these divine boons and the status of Kumara from Shiva and Parvati, Upamanyu was filled with joy. With a pleased mind, bowing deeply with joined palms, he requested one further boon from the great Lord: “Be gracious, O Lord of gods, Supreme Lord; grant me supreme, divine, unwavering devotion. Grant me faith, O Mahadeva, always in those connected to you. Let me always have supreme service, affection, and constant nearness to you.” With a heart overflowing with joy and a voice choked with emotion, Upamanyu praised the great god, saying, “O God of gods, great Lord, lover of those who seek refuge, be gracious, O ocean of compassion, O Śaṃkara with Ambā, always.” Thus addressed, the great god, bestower of boons to all, replied with a pleased heart: “Child Upamanyu, I am pleased. Everything has truly been given to you by me. You are steadfast in devotion, O best of seers, and have been tested by me. Become ageless and immortal, free from suffering; may you be renowned, endowed with brilliance, and possessed of divine knowledge. Your relatives, lineage, and family shall always be imperishable, O best of the twice-born; and your devotion to me shall be eternal.” Thus, by the grace of Shiva and Parvati, Upamanyu attained supreme blessings, immortality, and everlasting devotion, his heart forever filled with the nectar of divine love.