Having completed the sacred worship, the devotee bows with heartfelt reverence before the Lord and the Goddess. With mind steady and intent, he prepares himself to recite the hymn of praise. When the hymn is finished, he eagerly repeats the five-syllabled mantra a thousand and eight times, his devotion unwavering. Next, honoring the mantra and the teacher, he turns to worship the members of the assembly, following proper order and guided by his own faith. With respect, he then bids farewell to the Lord of gods, along with all the coverings used in the ritual. He offers the maṇḍala and the ritual implements to the teacher, or, if he chooses, gives them in proper order to those devoted to Shiva, or dedicates everything to Shiva alone in the sacred place of Shiva. Alternatively, he may worship the Lord in the fire of Shiva with seven offerings, properly honoring all the deities associated with the coverings, as prescribed. This rite is known as the Lord of Yoga, renowned throughout the three worlds; nowhere on earth is there a greater sacrifice. There is nothing that cannot be accomplished through this worship—whether one seeks worldly or otherworldly results, all may be attained. This rite is not limited by saying, “This is its result, that is not,” for it is the best means to achieve all that is of the nature of supreme good. Its power cannot be fully described by any person; what is worshipped here, like a wish-fulfilling gem, yields results accordingly. Yet, one should not employ this for trivial purposes, for to aim at something minor is to diminish the greatness of the act. Whether the result sought is great or small, the act succeeds if performed; let all actions be undertaken with Mahadeva as their aim. Therefore, for results unattainable by other means—such as victory over enemies or conquering death, whether visible or invisible—the wise should perform this rite. Even in times of great calamity, such as overwhelming passion, fear, famine, and the like, this rite should be performed for the sake of peace. What need is there for many words? This is the weapon taught by Maheshvara to the Shaivas for averting great afflictions. Beyond this, there is no other protection for oneself; thinking thus, whoever performs this action attains auspiciousness. Even one who, purified and focused, recites only the hymn for a desired purpose attains one-eighth of the result. Reciting it with intent, fasting on festival days or on the eighth or fourteenth lunar day, one attains half the result. But whoever, intent on the purpose, observes a vow during festival days and recites the hymn for a month attains the full result. And now, the hymn itself is declared to Krishna, following the path of the five coverings—a sacred act by which yoga is accomplished: “Victory, victory to you, sole Lord of the world, Shambhu, who enchants all nature; eternal by essence, transcending impure worldly speech and even the paths of minds, surpassing all reality. Victory to you, whose nature is pure enjoyment, whose actions are beautiful; whose supreme power is equal to your own self; victory to you, ocean of pure qualities. Victory to you, endowed with infinite radiance, whose form is incomparable; whose greatness is unfathomable; victory to you, source of untroubled auspiciousness. Victory to you, stainless and unsupported; victory to you, arising without cause; victory to you, uninterrupted supreme bliss; victory to you, cause of liberation. Victory to you, of supreme sovereignty; victory to you, abode of supreme compassion; victory to you, whose independence is complete; victory to you, whose glory is unmatched. Victory to you, who envelops the great universe; victory to you, whom none envelops; victory to you, who is beyond all; victory to you, utterly unsurpassed. Victory to you, wondrous and never small; victory to you, unbroken and imperishable; victory to you, immeasurable; victory to you, beyond illusion and absence; victory to you, stainless. Great-armed, of great essence, of great qualities, of great narrative, of great strength, of great illusion, of great flavor, of great chariot. Salutations to the Supreme God, salutations to the Supreme Cause, salutations to you, O Auspicious One, O Peaceful One, salutations to you who are even more auspicious. Indeed, this entire universe, with gods and asuras, depends upon you. Who could possibly transgress a command established by you? This person, always taking refuge in you alone, should be favored by you and granted what he requests. Victory to you, O Ambika, Mother of the world! Victory to you, essence of all creation! Victory to you, whose sovereignty is unsurpassed! Victory to you, whose form is without equal! Victory to you, who transcend speech and mind! Victory to you, who dispel the darkness of ignorance! Victory to you, who are free from birth and old age! Victory to you, who surpass even time itself! Victory to you, who dwell in manifold forms! Victory to you, beloved of the Lord of the universe! Victory to you, worshipped by all the gods! Victory to you, who expand throughout the cosmos! Victory to you, whose limbs are auspicious and divine! Victory to you, the lamp of auspiciousness! Victory to you, whose conduct is auspicious! Victory to you, who bestow auspiciousness! Salutations to the embodiment of the highest, most auspicious qualities! Truly, the universe arises from you and dissolves back into you. Even the Lord himself could not grant a fruit withheld by you; from birth, O Goddess of the gods, this person has sought refuge in you. Therefore, fulfill the wish of this devotee of yours: the Five-faced, Ten-armed one, pure and shining like crystal. The god whose body is formed of the syllables of Brahman, both with and without parts, established in devotion to Shiva, transcending peace, the eternal Sadaśiva—worshipped by me with devotion—may he grant me what I have requested.” Thus, the rite, the hymn, and the worship are completed, and the devotee’s heart is filled with reverence and hope, trusting in the boundless grace of Shiva and the Goddess.