You, O Lord, are the very embodiment of the twenty-six principles that make up existence, pervading all things in every direction. It is you who once appeared as a hunter, accompanied by the Sārameya hounds, just as the ancient stories recount. At the great sacrifice of Dakṣa, it was by your command that Virabhadra acted, bringing about the destined outcome. In your fierce aspect as the fire of time, you consume all the cosmic eggs, dissolving creation itself at the appointed hour. When Jalandhara, swollen with pride, committed a grave offense, it was you who struck him down with your trident. Who else but you could have contained the terrible Kālakūṭa poison in your throat during the churning of the ocean? None but you could have borne that burden. Long ago, in the Devadāru forest, you subdued the sages who were lost in ritual, reminding them of the deeper truths. Had you not trampled us underfoot, we would have fallen into the darkness of delusion. If you had not revealed your form as Ardhanārīśvara—the Lord who is half woman—the unity of all things would have remained hidden. You, O Śambhu, restrained the proud one whose arms had conquered all. It was Hari himself who filled your mendicant’s skull-bowl with his own blood in worship. If you had not taught compassion, weapons and missiles would have ravaged the worlds unchecked. Assuming the forms of Narasimha and Sharabha, you protected the great sages, ensuring their survival. You became the boatman in the ocean of cosmic cycles, taking the forms of the Fish and the Tortoise to guide and save. With one of your thousand lotus eyes, you performed worship, demonstrating devotion’s highest form. Again, Dhūrjaṭi considered himself the creator of the universe, and he instructed the twice-born in the mysteries of the sacred thread and worship. For those who remember me as their guru, whether awake, during creation, or dissolution, whatever favor I have granted to you both in this very place shall remain. For all who dwell within three yojanas of this region, and even for animals and immobile beings here, liberation is assured. For humans, simply by seeing or remembering this place from afar, freedom is attained. For the sake of auspiciousness, my radiant form remains here eternally as an immovable image. Even at the end of the ages, when the great oceans rise, they will never submerge it. This linga is made of pure light, and among all lights, it stands unsurpassed. Whomever I wish to favor is born here in this sacred land. Whether one prostrates from a distance or circumambulates from near, this place guarantees the residence of great souls. Without disregarding Shonachala, even by dwelling elsewhere, liberation is still attained. Those two, their egotism dissolved, submitted themselves to the Lord. Let this mountain remain, though truly, its radiance is difficult to bear. O Rudra, this is no ordinary mountain; its brilliance rivals that of the divine peaks. It shines with its own light, bestowing prosperity upon the world. Yet, by your command, O Lord, the Śoṇa mountain brings happiness to all people. From this day forward, at our request, let us worship the beautiful Lord of the Aruṇa mountain here in this very valley. Here, the kesara trees bloom, mangoes flourish, nāga and puṃnāga trees stand tall, and kesara blossoms abound. O Lord of gods, ocean of compassion, you should be present here, for otherwise our minds will not be purified, even if you are pleased. On the eastern side of the Śoṇa mountain stands this very lofty peak, a place of great sanctity and blessing.