Led by Brahmā and Viṣṇu, the assembled gods offered heartfelt praises to the great Lord with many sacred hymns. Responding to their devotion, the Supreme Being emerged along the path of the mighty triśūla, and thus he came to be known as Śūleśvara, Lord of the Trident. At that very place, the sinful king of the demons was shaken by the force of the triśūla, whose power was unmatched. It is said that on auspicious days—whether the eighth, the full moon, the fourteenth, or on a Saturday—whoever beholds the god of gods, Maheśvara, purified in body and mind, is freed from all sin. Such a devotee uplifts a hundred families and attains the blessed realm of Śiva. By the grace of Śūleśvara, even the gravest sin, like that of killing a Brāhmaṇa, is washed away. The triśūla of Andhaka, the demon, was hurled with such force that it traveled as far as Bhogavati. Undaunted, Andhaka, sword in hand and brimming with valor, let out a lion’s roar that echoed across the battlefield, even as he was beset by evil-hearted foes. The sound of his roar struck terror into the hearts of those wicked ones, who fainted and collapsed to the earth. Witnessing this, the gods themselves, led by Brahmā and Viṣṇu, became fearful. Recognizing that their foes seemed impossible to defeat, the well-wishing gods devised a plan. Brahmā, after speaking with the assembly, manifested his auspicious seat, the swan. Kumara, the youthful god, then created the goddess Kaumari, who shone gloriously atop her peacock mount. Again, Kumara created another form of Kaumari, this time with the lord of birds as her vehicle. This fierce goddess, armed with club and mace, was a terror to the bodies of demons. The Lord, too, fashioned the formidable Chamunda, dark of complexion, adorned with all ornaments, and clad in a lion’s skin, her form composed of hide, bone, and hair. In that sacred region near the banyan tree, the Mothers of the world were brought into being. Whoever, having bathed and purified themselves, beholds the Mothers there is greatly blessed. O great sage, it was there that the god produced a lion’s roar as well, and whoever hears or sees that god becomes strong and fearless like a lion. At that place, the god Kaṇṭeśvara always bestows boons upon his devotees, and they are never troubled by planets, spirits, or ghosts. In the midst of this tumult, the command was given: “Drink quickly the blood of the fierce blind demon!” Śankara reassured Shakra, saying, “Do not fear; here you are safe.” The gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, Vidyadharas, and serpents all joined in praising the Lord. Whoever worships the Lord of gods at that sacred site gains the merit of performing a great Ashvamedha sacrifice and is transported to the realm of Shiva in a chariot drawn by lions. In the ensuing battle, the fierce goddess quickly brought destruction upon the demons, fighting alongside the Mothers. The Mothers attained supreme satisfaction in their victory, but the one who had emerged from the forehead of the Lord remained unsatisfied. Meanwhile, the powerful Andhaka seized the trident that faced north, and thus he became famous throughout the world as Mahāvināyaka. It is taught that whoever, on the fourth day of every month, worships Ganesha, the Mahāvināyaka, receives great blessings. At that moment, a drop of sweat fell from the Lord’s forehead onto the earth, and in the region of Avanti, the earth gave birth to a son with a red body. Brahmā, having praised this being with many names, placed him among the planets. There, the linga established by Brahmā was attended by hosts of beings and Gandharvas. Whoever beholds Aṅgāreśvara at that place is freed from all sins. As long as the fourfold rituals are complete, they should be performed with devotion and effort. Offerings should include cakes made of jaggery, accompanied by red cloth, and one should prepare an offering filled with sesame and rice at that very place.