Having received the gracious command of Shiva and Shakti—those whose very hearts are suffused with the essence of Shiva—I pray that my deepest desires may be fulfilled by their boundless grace. Their crest-forms, too, are firmly established in Shiva, and so, honoring the will of both Shiva and Shakti, may my wishes find their fruition. Clad in armor imbued with Shiva’s divine power, and with eyes that shine with his presence, Shiva and Shakti, when honored and obeyed, are the source from which all blessings flow. There is one who embodies the very weapons of the gods, ever devoted to the worship of Shiva. He, too, having honored Shiva’s command, holds the power to grant what is sought. Consider the eight mighty powers: Vama, Jyeshtha, Rudra, Kala, Vikaraṇa, Bala, Vikaraṇa again, and Balapramathana, the supreme—these subdue all beings, and by Shiva’s command alone, may they bestow what I seek. In the sacred second enclosure dwell Ananta, Sukshma, Shiva with a single eye, Eka, Rudra, Amarti, Shrikantha, and Shikhandaka—eight further powers, worshipped with reverence. By the sole command of Shiva, may they grant my heart’s desire. Within the third enclosure reside the eight forms beginning with Bhava, their attendant powers, and others such as Mahadeva, including the eleven forms of Shiva. All these, together with their energies, stand ready to grant the desired fruit to those who honor Shiva’s command. Among these divine presences is the lord of trees, radiant in splendor, whose voice resounds like a mighty cloud, whose form recalls the lofty peaks of Meru, Mandara, Kailasa, and Himadri. His body gleams like the summit of a white cloud, adorned with a prominent hump, and his tail is as splendid as the serpent king. With a mouth, horns, and feet tinged red, and eyes mostly crimson, he stands tall and strong in every limb, moving with grace and radiance. Marked by auspicious signs, adorned with blazing jewels, he is beloved of Shiva, forever devoted, and serves as Shiva’s own banner-bearer. Those touched by the feet of this illustrious king of bulls are purified. Bearing the blessed trident and the finest of weapons, and always placing the command of Shiva and Shakti first, may he grant my desires. This is Nandishvara, of great brilliance, son of the mountain’s daughter, ever worshipped and praised by the gods, including Narayana. He stands at the threshold of Sharva’s inner palace, surrounded by his attendants, his glory rivaling that of the Lord of all, and he is the destroyer of demons. Consecrated as the overseer of all Shiva’s duties, Nandishvara is ever dear and devoted to Shiva, illustrious, and armed with the trident and other mighty weapons. He loves and protects all who take refuge in Shiva, and, honoring Shiva’s command, may he fulfill my wishes. There is also Mahakala, mighty-armed and majestic, another who is like Mahadeva himself. Ever dear and attached to Shiva, and always worshipping him, Mahakala, too, when honoring Shiva’s command, can grant what is desired. The supreme teacher, who knows the secret of all scriptures, takes the form of Vishnu himself. He is the son of Mahāmohātmā, fond of honey, meat, and wine. When he receives the command of Shiva and Shakti, may he also grant my wish. The seven Mothers—Brahmānī, Māheśī, Kaumārī, Vaiṣṇavī, Vārāhī, Māheṃdrī, and Cāmuṇḍā of fierce valor—are the mothers of all worlds. By the command of the Supreme Lord, may these mighty Mothers grant me what I seek. There is the one with the face of an intoxicated elephant, son of Gaṅgā and Śaṃkara. His body is vast as the sky, his arms stretch to the directions, and his eyes are the moon, sun, and fire. He is ever worshipped by the divine elephants, such as Airāvata, and was born from the intoxication of Shiva-knowledge, removing obstacles for the gods. He removes obstacles for the gods and creates them for demons and others. Lord of obstacles and ever devoted to Shiva, may he, honoring the command of Shiva and Pārvatī, grant my desire. Ṣaṇmukha, born of Shiva, wields the spear and thunderbolt. He is the lord, son of Agni, of Aparṇā, of Gaṅgā, of Gaṇāmbā, and of the Kṛttikās, surrounded by Viśākha, Śākha, and Naigameya. He conquered Indrajit and Candraśena’s armies, and was victorious over Tārakāsura, his brilliance piercing the heights of Meru and other mountains. Radiant as molten gold, with lotus-petal eyes, Kumāra is the very model of beauty among the handsome. Dear and devoted to Shiva, always worshipping his feet, may he, too, honoring the command of Shiva and Pārvatī, grant me my desire. The eldest and most excellent, bestower of boons, steadfast in the worship of Shiva and Pārvatī—may she, when commanded, grant me what I seek. Revered by the three worlds, manifest before all, Gaṇāmbikā took the form of a meteor at Brahmā’s request to Shiva, for the creation and growth of the universe. From Śivā herself, divided and emerging from between her brows, came Dakṣāyaṇī, Satī, Menā, Haimavatī, and Umā; also the mothers of Kauśikī, Bhadrakālī, Aparṇā, and Pāṭalā. Ever devoted to the worship of Shiva, Rudrāṇī, beloved of Rudra, may she, honoring the command of Shiva and Pārvatī, grant me what I desire. Caṇḍa, lord of all the gaṇas, was born from the face of Śambhu. May he, too, honoring the command of Shiva and Pārvatī, fulfill my wish. And Piṅgala, the illustrious gaṇa, devoted and dear to Shiva—may he, by the command of Shiva and Pārvatī, grant my desire. Thus, with reverence and faith, I invoke all these divine beings—each honoring the command of Shiva and Shakti—that my prayers may be answered and my heart’s true desire fulfilled.