Freed from all sins, the devotee who observes this supreme and secret vow—the great vow of the Shiva Linga—is honored in the world of Shiva. This profound practice has now been revealed to you, a true devotee. It is not meant for just anyone, but should be imparted only to those devoted to Shiva, just as Shiva himself instructed in ancient times. It is declared that success in all daily, occasional, and desired rites is immediately attained through the establishment of the Linga image. The entire world is permeated by the Linga; everything is established within it. Thus, when the Linga is established, all things are established. Whether Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, or any other beings perform their own duties, the act of establishing the Linga is never neglected. What more need be said about this establishment? Even Shiva, the Lord of the Universe, has established the Linga. Therefore, with utmost effort, one should establish the Linga or an image of the Supreme Lord, whether in this world or the next, to attain happiness. But what is this Linga that is spoken of? How is the Great Lord the bearer of the Linga? How does he possess the state of Linga, and why is Shiva worshipped in this form? The Linga is said to be unmanifest, arising from the three gunas; it is beginningless and endless, the material cause of the universe. It alone is the root-prakriti, maya, whose nature is space; from this, the entire world of moving and unmoving beings has arisen. From this source, which is impure, pure, and both pure and impure—a threefold nature—arise Shiva, Mahesha, Rudra, Vishnu, and Brahma, the Grandfather. The elements and the senses are born, and by Shiva’s command, they dissolve. Therefore, Shiva is the Linga, for the Linga commands all. Nothing arises for action without his command, and the dissolution of the universe occurs only in him. It is by this alone that Shiva’s state as Linga is established; not by anything else. The Linga is the body of Shiva and Shakti, presided over by both. Thus, Shiva together with Ambā should always be worshipped there. The Linga is the altar, the Great Goddess, and directly the Great Lord. By worshipping both, he and she are both worshipped; in truth, there is no bodily form of Linga for either of them. These two are pure; their bodies are only figurative. That alone is the supreme power of Shiva, the Supreme Self. When this power receives the command, it produces all that moves and does not move. Even in a hundred years, Shiva’s greatness cannot be described. At the beginning, even Brahma and Narayana were deluded by him, when the dissolution of the three worlds approached in ancient times. At that time, Vishnu lay upon the waters, deep in sleep and undisturbed. By chance, Brahma, the Grandfather of the worlds, arrived there. He saw the lotus-eyed Vishnu sleeping peacefully, and, deluded by the maya of Shambhu, Brahma spoke to Vishnu. Striking Madhava in anger to awaken him, Brahma demanded, “Who are you? Speak!” Awoken by the blow, Vishnu roused at once. Rising from his bed, Vishnu saw Parameshthin before him. Though inwardly angry, Hari spoke without showing it: “From where have you come, child? Why are you disturbed? Speak.” Hearing these words, which hinted at Vishnu’s own lordly power, Brahma—bound by passion and enmity—replied, “Why do you call me ‘child,’ as a teacher would address his own student?” “Do you not know me as Lord, the one whose creation is this universe? Dividing myself threefold, I have created and now sustain this world. I alone dissolve; there is no other creator in the world but me.” Upon hearing this, the imperishable Vishnu replied, “I alone am the original creator, destroyer, and protector of this universe. You too have descended from my own body in ancient times, from the imperishable.” “By my command, you divide yourself threefold and create the three worlds; you sustain them and, at the end, you dissolve them again. You have forgotten Narayana, the flawless Lord of the universe, and even me, your direct progenitor—thus you disregard me. You have committed no offense here; you are deluded by my maya. By my grace, this confusion of yours will soon be dispelled.” “Hear the truth, O Four-Faced One: I am the Lord of all the gods, the creator, sustainer, and destroyer. There is no one equal to me in power.” Thus, a dispute arose between Brahma and Vishnu. A great and terrifying battle followed, causing one’s hair to stand on end. Striking each other fiercely with their fists, both were filled with passion and enmity. This battle was waged to humble their pride and awaken the two gods. In the midst of them appeared a wondrous, divine Linga, adorned with thousands of blazing flames—immeasurable and incomparable. Free from increase and decay, without beginning, middle, or end, the Linga’s thousands of flames bewildered both Brahma and Vishnu. Abandoning their battle, they wondered, “What is this?” Yet neither could comprehend the true nature of that being. Then both resolved to seek out its beginning and end. Brahma took the form of a swan, spreading his wings in all directions, and propelled by mind and wind, strove upward with great effort. Narayana, the soul of the universe, assumed the form of an endless boar, dark as a mass of collyrium, and went downward, each seeking the mystery of the Linga.