Amidst a wondrous assembly, the leader of the gaṇas appeared, his form adorned with one, two, or even three crests, each bearing its own unique shape. Some had one ear, some two, some many, and others possessed ears that were strangely deformed. In that gathering, there were those with a single leg, others with two, some with many legs, and some who were legless altogether. The bodies among them ranged from fair to dark, dark to fair, black, and even mottled, each displaying a spectrum of colors. These beings bore an array of weapons: spears, swords, pattiśas, clubs, and iron implements. Their hands gripped maces, mallets, stones, pestles, and countless other arms. The air resounded with drums and the deep notes of bhambhā and bherī, while vīṇā, paṇava, and flutes were played skillfully. Many other instruments, such as huḍaṅka and śṛṅgika, added to the cacophony. Surrounded by the lords of the gaṇas—mighty and difficult to approach, like the planets encircling the Sun—the leader stood among Brahmā and the other gods of heaven. At that moment, Brahmā and the celestial hosts, seeing the leader of the gaṇas before them, gathered their courage and beheld the god as prescribed. With hands joined atop their heads and foreheads pressed to the ground, they offered reverent homage. They addressed him, seated upon his bull, gentle yet bearing trident and spear. "Homage to you, O pure one, clothed in the hide of the directions, radiant with intense light. Salutations again and again to you, destroyer of Andhaka, Supreme Lord. Salutations 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 Virūpākṣa and Śubha, to the one truly of 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, may our protection be granted." The Lord beheld the bodies of the gods, emaciated and worn. With divine, blazing energy, with the threefold Veda and the inner self, he observed the worship offered by Brahmā and the others and spoke: "By this divine rite, I have indeed been greatly worshipped. Those who are steadfast in their vows, whether humans or gods, may see me—whether one by one, two or three at a time, or all together, equally for you all. For your welfare, I am going towards Ujjayinī." The gods then asked, "For what reason is the earth trembling, and the three worlds thrown into confusion? For the protection of the gods, let the cause here be heard." The Lord replied, "There is an asura named Drohaṇa, powerful and endowed with magical power. The Daityas, mighty and conquerors of enemy cities, were his followers. Desiring to slay Indra and the gods, they rose up, masters of illusion and secret movement, armed and ready for battle. By the falling of their skulls and the trembling of the earth, there arose among them an endeavor for the destruction of the world’s order and stability." The gods praised him: "You are the bestower of grace upon the gods, honored through the remembrance of virtues. With divine vision, you are exceedingly praised for your fame and might, O fearsome one. What is attained through the practice of meditation is not found among others. Austerity, difficult to perform and hard to practice, is accomplished by mind, speech, and body." Thus, the gods, in awe and devotion, sought the protection and grace of the Supreme Lord, acknowledging his power, his forms, and his benevolence amidst the threat posed by the mighty asura and his followers.