O Krishna, listen as the secret of devotion to the Supreme Lord Shiva is revealed—a secret more hidden than the most hidden. There is no doubt: by true devotion to Shiva, the devotee attains liberation. All the practices—reciting Shiva’s mantra, meditating, offering into the sacred fire, performing sacrifices, practicing austerities, studying, giving charity, and mastering learning—are only meaningful when performed with inner feeling, with heartfelt devotion. Without devotion, even if one completes every ritual and austerity, liberation does not come; but when devotion is present, even without external acts, freedom is assured. For the devotee of Shiva, what need is there to undertake thousands of Cāndrāyaṇa vows, hundreds of Prājāpatya rites, or other monthly fasts? Those without devotion may perform difficult austerities, dwelling in the world or in mountain caves, seeking only fleeting pleasures. But one who worships Shiva with true feeling is liberated. Actions performed in the mode of goodness lead to liberation, and yogis abide in that goodness. Those swayed by passion act for the sake of worldly success. Demons and Rākṣasas, wrapped in darkness, worship the Lord only for material gain. Yet, Krishna, devotion is the true path. Whether one’s nature is dark, passionate, or pure, if one worships the Lord with devotion, auspiciousness is attained. Devotion is like a boat that carries one safely across the ocean of sin—what need then for passion or darkness, if one has devotion? Even the lowest-born, the most fallen, ignorant, or degraded—if he surrenders to Shiva—becomes worthy of worship by all gods and demons. Therefore, with all one’s effort, worship Shiva with devotion alone, for without devotion, no fruit is gained anywhere. Now, Krishna, hear a most secret teaching, carefully determined by the Vedas, scriptures, and those learned in the Vedas. Even if someone has committed the gravest sins—killed a Brahmin, drunk liquor, stolen, violated the teacher’s wife, killed mother or father, slain a hero, or destroyed an embryo—by worshipping Shiva, the supreme cause, with devotion and the proper mantra, he is gradually freed from those sins within twelve years. Thus, even if one has fallen, one should strive with all effort to worship Shiva. The devotee—living simply, with senses controlled—needs nothing else. Even having committed great sin, if one worships the Lord of gods with devotion and the sacred five-syllable mantra, he is freed from that sin. Severe vows—living on water, air, or other austerities—alone cannot grant union with Shiva’s realm. But whoever worships Shiva even once, with devotion and the five-syllable mantra, attains Shiva’s abode, by the greatness of that mantra. All austerities, sacrifices, and gifts of all one’s wealth are not equal, not even a fraction of a crore, to the worship of Shiva’s form. Whether bound or liberated, if one worships with the five-syllable mantra, the devotee is freed—there should be no doubt. Whether one is gentle or wrathful, fallen or deluded, if one worships Shiva with the hymn, that person is liberated. Or, worshipping with the six-syllabled mantra or the hymn-mantra, the devotee who has conquered anger, whether accomplished or not, is fulfilled. Here, even one who has not attained is regarded as having attained—there is no doubt. With the Brahman part or with the swan, he is liberated. Therefore, one should always worship Shiva with devotion, using the hymn-mantra, whether once, twice, thrice a day, or at all times. Those who worship the great god should themselves be known as lords; Shiva, the blessed one, is not worshipped by knowledge alone, even with the help of the self. One who does not worship Shiva, having attained the rare human birth, wanders long in this world, caught in the ocean of suffering. For such a person, that birth is fruitless, for it does not lead to liberation. But those who, having attained the rare human birth, worship the bearer of the pināka bow—Shiva—their birth is truly fruitful. They have fulfilled their purpose, being devoted to Bhava, with minds bowed to him. Those intent on remembering Bhava do not partake of suffering. For those who desire great enjoyments and sovereignty in the abode of the gods, worship of Shiva brings delightful homes, ornaments, women, and wealth—though these end in dissatisfaction. Yet, the true devotees always desire the lotus feet of Hara. Good fortune, beauty, radiant form, noble character, and a mind softened by renunciation; courage and fame in the world—all these come to one who worships Shiva. Therefore, abandoning all else, with a mind intent only on Shiva, one should perform the rite of Shiva’s worship, if one desires Shiva for oneself. Life passes swiftly, youth passes swiftly, and disease comes swiftly. Thus, the bearer of the pināka bow should be worshipped as long as death has not come, as long as old age has not overtaken, as long as the senses have not failed. No other dharma in the three worlds equals the worship of Shiva. Knowing this, one should diligently worship Sadashiva, preparing with door-ritual, curtain, and offerings to the attendants. A festival should always be held, and if possible, worship performed at the time of grace, after offering oblations, whether by oneself or even an attendant. Offerings should be given to the attendants of grace in due order; then, with musical instruments, stand facing the proper direction. Offer flowers, incense, and a lamp, along with food and water. Then, standing upon the great altar facing east, present the offering. Afterwards, whatever food and other items have been offered to the deity, all of it, whether with remnants or not, should be dedicated to Caṇḍa. Thus, Krishna, the path of worship and devotion to Shiva is revealed—the most secret, the most liberating, the most auspicious of all dharmas.