In that sacred forest, all those who had taken up vows devoted themselves in worship to the great Lord. Their hearts brimmed with supreme devotion, and they performed the highest rites with unwavering faith. Through the fire of their meditation on Rudra, all their sins were consumed, and prosperity flowed to them as a blessing. Even Brahmā, addressed in return, joined in this devotion, acting with reverence toward the Lord. A thousand divine years passed in this way. Then, the Lord of lords, the ruler of the gods themselves, appeared, surrounded by countless hosts adorned with wondrous ornaments. He manifested in forms shaped both by desire and by freedom from desire, bestowing every fulfillment of wishes. He was resplendent with divine powers, from aṇimā and all the other siddhis, and possessed the yogic lordships so named. His retinue bore fierce faces: some like tigers and wild beasts, others like crows, herons, and bats. Some had no form, some had beautiful forms, and some took on many shapes. There were those with one crest, two, or three, each adorned in diverse ways. Among them were beings with one ear, two ears, many ears, or even deformed ears; some had one leg, two, many, or none at all. Their bodies shone in every hue—fair and dark, dark and fair, black, and mottled. They carried spears, swords, pattiśas, clubs, and iron weapons. In their hands were maces, mallets, stones, pestles, and other implements. The air was filled with the sounds of drums—bhambhā, bherī—and the music of vīṇā, paṇava, and flute. Other instruments, such as huḍaṅka and śṛṅgika, and many more, were played in celebration. The lords of the gaṇas surrounded him, formidable and difficult to approach, encircling him as the planets do the Sun. Vyāsa, at that time, behold the Lord among Brahmā and the other gods of heaven. When Brahmā and the gods saw the leader of the gaṇas before them, they gathered their courage and gazed upon him as prescribed in the ancient ways. With joined hands placed upon their heads and their foreheads touching the ground, they offered their salutations. They addressed him with reverence: “To you, seated upon the bull, gentle one, bearing trident and spear, we bow. Homage to you, O pure one, clothed in the hide of the directions, radiant with intense brilliance. Again and again, salutations to you, destroyer of Andhaka, Supreme Lord. Salutations again and again to the Lord of the Mountain, Lord of the gods, Supreme Ruler. Salutations to the Lord of gods and asuras, to the Lord of ascetics. Salutations to you, known as Virūpākṣa and Śubha, who truly has a universal form. Salutations to the Creator, to the one of universal form, to the destroyer of the daityas. To the formless, to the beautiful, to the one who bears a hundred forms. Salutations again and again to the giver of boons, to the Boar, to the auspicious Tortoise. O Three-eyed One, slayer of Tripura, grant us your protection.” The Lord looked upon the gods and saw their bodies, emaciated from their austerities. He beheld them with his divine, blazing energy, perceiving their devotion through the threefold Veda and their innermost selves. Moved by the worship offered by Brahmā and the others, the Lord of the gods spoke: “By this divine rite, I have indeed been greatly worshipped. Those who are steadfast in vows, whether humans or even gods, are able to see me. Whether you come one by one, in twos or threes, or all together, I am equally accessible to you all. For your welfare, I am going towards Ujjayinī.” Then, the gods asked, “For what reason is the earth trembling, and the three worlds thrown into confusion?