Shiva himself, endowed with boundless and genuine compassion, turned away the force that threatened to overwhelm. Whoever seeks to perceive the farthest limits of Shiva’s radiance—so subtle that it surpasses even the smallest atom—must understand that only by his grace can such knowledge dawn. When Shiva grants understanding, the sense of ego within a person is utterly destroyed. Upon hearing this truth, my own ego was shattered, and I reflected deeply within myself. I realized that knowledge of Shiva arises solely through his mercy; it cannot be attained by effort alone. Yet, again and again, the mind strives to gather up its own sense of self, clinging to identity. Therefore, I offer constant salutations to those perfected beings whose minds are surrendered to Shiva. Standing before me, I recognized Shiva as the very cause of my own existence. All the gods, I understood, become those who quell their enemies by virtue of Shiva’s grace. I took refuge in Shambhu, unique in all the universe, and having gained a body, I sought shelter in Shiva, the moon-crested one, with heartfelt devotion. We have taken shelter in the ego that arises from Shambhu himself, and that very Shankara is the source of all ego in both of us. This Lord, always honored by the gods, is Sadashiva, formed from the pillar of fire. With devotion filling my heart, I praised Shiva, performing worship within my mind. I offered salutations to the great Shiva, the sole cause of all worlds. His radiance, pervading the universe, shines forth continually and without end. The pure earthly liṅga is seen not with ordinary eyes, but with the eye of the inner self. Yogis, in deep meditation, perceive within themselves that which is formless and without limit. Or else, the power of Shankara is real, subtler than the subtlest, beyond all perception. Even the smallest being, by Shiva’s compassion, becomes a vessel for greatness. I prayed, “O Lord, O great god, be gracious, surpassing all the worlds.” Having made this request with humility, bowing again and again, Viṣṇu spoke with a voice deep as a new cloud: “Victory to you, Lord of the three worlds! Victory to you, O master who bears Gaṅgā! O Śambhu, your boundless and sincere compassion ever increases. You preserve all knowledge and bestow abundance and prosperity. Even with hundreds of forms or countless hymns, one cannot fully praise even a single aspect of you. You alone can truly know yourself, or perhaps, by your grace, another may know you. Are not the gods themselves born from a portion of you? Just as divisions of fire arise from the conjunction of place, time, and action, O compassionate Lord, O Śaṃkara, show us your form.” Thus, as they bowed with faith and devotion, the Lord appeared from the pillar of light, adorned with the crescent moon. In his hands, he held a battle-axe and a young deer, granting fearlessness and repose. Shiva spoke: “I am pleased with your devotion, as you both have united your minds in me. For the fulfillment of your wishes, I have manifested myself here.” Hearing the words of the Lord, both were delighted and joined their palms in reverence. With mantras, I, though childlike, am the creator of the three worlds. I bow to this form, the eternal Lord, the bestower of boons.