Upon the fierce mouth of the demon, the goddess placed the tip of a skull, her face blazing with wrath. As she drank, the lord of the demons withered away, his body growing thin and powerless. Drained of strength, the Dānava was struck blind, and terror seized his heart. Consumed by the desire to save his life, he pressed his palms together in reverence, his body bristling with awe. In his desperation, he began to praise the supreme Lord, the master and cause of all worlds. He extolled the praiseworthy Śiva, adorned with the crescent moon, the one who is both the origin of creation and the refuge at the end of time. “I seek shelter in that Śaṃkara,” he declared, “whom the wise yogis, free from delusion, attain with minds fixed in single-pointed devotion and desires renounced. “You, O Lord, always bear the shining crescent moon and the celestial river Gaṅgā upon your matted hair. Your lotus feet are worshipped by Siddhas and Cāraṇas, and you hold Gaṅgā, wild with great waves, as she descends from the heavens. When Rāvaṇa shook the peak of Mount Kailāsa with his ten heads, you remained unmoved. At Daksha’s sacrifice, you destroyed the third eye, and you also took the eyes of Bhaga and Pūṣan, shattering Pūṣan’s row of teeth. “Again and again, you have subdued the sons of Diti and Danu, as well as the hosts of Vidyādharas and serpents, even after granting them boons. Even those who are engaged in worldly matters, if endowed with knowledge and the virtues of sacred learning, are united with you. You, blessed Maheśa, have granted countless boons to Brahmā, Indra, Viṣṇu, the Maruts, and the six-faced ones. “You were worshipped with severe austerities in the groves of Himavat, observing vows and asceticism that are inaccessible to others. For your own divine play, you created the seven worlds, adorned with various rivers, birds, and trees. With the nail of the lotus at the tip of your left hand, you pierced the fifth opening. Those who do not recognize you as the supreme teacher remain ignorant of the true nature of this world, with all its moving and unmoving beings. “Whoever recites this praise with pure actions, or listens with devotion to Śiva, attains great merit.” A full hundred years passed in this way, and then, pleased, Śaṃkara spoke: “My son, I am satisfied. May you be blessed. You are now born pure. Whatever fruit you desire, whether by mind or otherwise, I know it all. I have no desires for even the slightest thing myself. If you are pleased with me, O Lord of the gods, grant me lordship over the Gaṇas.” Śiva replied, “You shall become chief of the Gaṇas, honored by all the worlds. You will take any form you wish, possess great yogic power, firm resolve, and immense strength.” Having thus become the leader of the great gods, Andhaka vanished from that place. When Andhaka departed, the goddesses, led by Brahmāṇī, assembled together. They praised the great god, and Maheśvara was well pleased. Seeing Śaṃkara standing before them, they bowed in reverence. The blood-drinking goddesses, now calmed and joyful in the presence of Śambhu, were all reborn in the region of Avanti. In Avanti, filled with delight, they became destroyers of all sins. On the new moon day of the month of Śrāvaṇa, they remained absorbed in meditation. There, the childless obtain children, and those seeking wealth find riches. Such a devotee is honored in the world of the ancestors, riding in a swan-drawn chariot. Having spoken thus, the Lord of the gods returned to Mount Kailāsa. Whoever listens with faith to these noble deeds of the leader of gods and demons attains great merit and blessings.