In every cycle of ages, the great Lord Śarva—known also as Shiva—has manifested in the world beneath the guise of a teacher of yoga, accompanied by his devoted disciples. O Lord, let me recount the incarnations of Śarva and his followers, who have appeared as guides to seekers in all the yugas. Among these teachers in the present Varāha Kalpa, during the seventh Manu’s interval, were Śveta, Sutāra, Madana, Suhotra, Kaṅka, Laugākṣi, Mahāmāya, and Jaigīṣavya. Alongside them stood Dadhivāha, Ṛṣabha, the sage Ugra, Atri, Supālaka, Gautama, and Vedaśirā. Further, there were Gokarṇa, Guhāvāsin, another named Śikhaṇḍin, Jaṭāmālī, Aṭṭahāsa, Dāruka, and Lāṃgulī. Completing the lineage were Mahākāla, Śūlī, Ḍaṇḍī, Muṇḍīśa, Saviṣṇu, Somaśarmā, and Lakulīśvara. In each age, these twenty-eight teachers of yoga shone forth, guiding aspirants on the path. Each of these great teachers had four disciples of tranquil mind. Beginning with Śveta and ending with Ruṣya, let me name them in order: Śveta, Śvetaśikha, Śvetāśva, Śvetalohita, Dundubhi, Śatarūpa, Ṛcīka, Ketumān, Vikośa, Vikeśa, Vipāśa, Pāśanāśana, Sumukha, Durmukha, Durgama, Duratikrama, Sanatkumāra, Sanaka, Sanaṃda, Sanātana, Sudhāmā, Virajā, Śaṃkha, Aṇḍaja, Sārasvata, Megha, Meghavāha, Suvāhaka, Kapila, Āsuri, Pañcaśikha, Bāṣkala, Parāśara, Garga, Bhārgava, Aṅgirā, Balabandhu, Nirāmitra, Ketuśṛṅga, Tapodhana, Lambodara, Lamba, Lambātmā, Lambakeśaka, Sarvajña, Samabuddhi, Sādhyasiddhi, Sudhāmā, Kaśyapa, Vasiṣṭha, Virajā, Atri, Ugra, Guruśreṣṭha, Śravana, Śraviṣṭaka, Kuṇi, Kuṇibāhu, Kuśarīra, Kunetraka, Kāśyapa, Uśanā, Cyavana, Bṛhaspati, Utathya, Vāmadeva, Mahākāla, Mahānila, Vācaḥśravā, Suvīra, Śyāvaka, Yatīśvara, Hiraṇyanābha, Kauśalya, Lokākṣi, Kuthumi, Sumantu, Jaimini, Kubandha, Kuśakandhara, Plakṣa, Dārbhāyaṇi, Ketumān, Gautama, Bhallavī, Madhupiṅga, Śvetaketu, Uśija, Bṛhadaśva, Devala, Kavi, Śālihotra, Suveṣa, Yuvanāśva, Śaradvasu, Akṣapāda, Kaṇāda, Ulūka, Vatsa, Kulika, Garga, Mitraka, and Ruṣya. These one hundred and twelve disciples of the great Lord embodied the form of yoga teachers. They were all accomplished Pāśupatas, their bodies smeared with sacred ash, deeply learned in the Vedas and all scriptures, and thoroughly versed in their branches. Each was steadfast in devotion to the hermitage of Shiva, dedicated to the knowledge of Shiva, entirely free from attachment, and with minds absorbed solely in the contemplation of Shiva. Enduring the dualities of existence with courage, they were intent on the welfare of all beings—upright, gentle, self-composed, having conquered anger and the senses. Adorned with garlands of Rudrākṣa beads and their foreheads marked with three sacred lines, some wore topknots, some matted locks, others had shaven heads, and some were without matted hair. Sustained mostly on fruits and roots, devoted to breath-control, they were suffused with the spirit of Shiva, wholly intent on meditation upon him. Having uprooted the poisonous sprouts of worldly existence, they were prepared only to proceed toward Shiva’s supreme city. Whoever recognizes these teachers and worships Shiva through them attains union with Shiva himself—there is no doubt of this. O Lord, master of all yogis, leader of the hosts, chief of sages, radiant as six-faced Karttikeya, treasure-house of knowledge, revered teacher—most often you have descended to earth to cut the bonds of men, dwelling among the great sages. Who else in this world—god or demon—could know the supreme state, the very essence of Shiva, if not you? Having drunk the nectar of Shiva-knowledge that has flowed directly from your mouth, O wielder of the bow, my mind still longs for more. Resting in the lap of the Lord, the creator and sustainer of all worlds, what indeed did the supreme Lady, Parvati, ask her husband? You have asked rightly, O Krishna, and I shall tell you truly, for you are steadfast in discipline and devotion to Shiva. On the splendid Mandara, the best of mountains, in a lovely cave, the great Lord entered into divine meditation together with the goddess. At that moment, the goddess’s dear companion, smiling and radiant, brought forth fully blossomed, exceedingly charming flowers. The Lord of gods, placing the goddess on his lap, adorned her with those flowers and sat, exceedingly delighted. Then, the goddesses of the inner chambers, adorned with divine ornaments, and the intimate leaders of the hosts approached the great Lady of all worlds. With fly-whisks in hand, the goddesses served the Lord and Lady—he who is the perfect husband and the great Lord of all worlds. Delightful stories and wondrous events were then recounted, bringing joy to the Great Lord and Lady, and offering protection and inspiration to those in the world who have sought refuge in Shiva.