From that moment onward, the wise king, together with all his wives, lived under the grace of the god of gods. By Shiva’s greatness, a son of extraordinary strength was born to them. Then, O goddess, I journeyed from Mandara, drawn by curiosity. Using my yogic power, I created a city for myself, and at that time, I bestowed upon you that eternal abode of Shiva. O beautiful one, this abode lay to the north of the sacred Mārkaṇḍeyāśvara. Those who continually worship the supreme lord Śiveśvara, who recognize the revered teacher of the world and behold Śiveśvara, understanding that liberation is extremely difficult to attain and worldly existence is truly terrifying—such mortals, whatever their condition, who seek refuge in Lord Shiva, or who, with devotion and purity, narrate or cause this story to be heard—these, O Devi, are blessed with the power I have described to you, which destroys sin. O Devi, Shiva is the god who grants heaven and destroys even the gravest sins. Long ago, in the Vaivasvata cycle, during the era called Vārāha, while I delighted in the beautiful and vast Kāla forest, O Pārvatī, I was questioned after hearing a sound that was exceedingly unbearable. There, the Gaṇeśas were playing, and among them was a Gaṇa named Vīraka. For sport, he was struck with flowers and worshipped with heaps of blossoms. Vīraka possessed many wondrous qualities and was adored by hundreds of Gaṇeśvaras. The lotus-face of your son, O goddess, can be seen only by those with great merit. I wondered, “When will I see such a son, a giver of joy?” And it was declared: “O Pārvatī, this son, Vīraka, is now given.” Indeed, this son brings delight to the eyes. Hearing my words, you sent Vijayā. Vijayā approached the Gaṇa among the Gaṇas and asked, “Why are you, as if mad, so absorbed and enchanted by the dance and music?” Thus addressed, he became terrified, adorned with flowers at that moment. Seeing Vīraka trembling and adorned with blossoms, you called to him, “Come, come! You have now become my son, given by the god; you are now Vīraka.” You inhaled the fragrance from his head, gently smoothed his limbs, and adorned him with your own divine ornaments. With tender, variegated, and beautiful divine leaves, born from mantras, pure and shining, you decorated him. After arranging a garland on his head, marking him with bright gorocana and leaf fragments, you spoke. Vīraka, amidst the Siddhas on the Gaṇḍa mountain, played among nets of gems and thick clusters of great vines. For a moment, he frolicked in shallow mud and water, tangled in lotuses; then, on a flawless, auspicious piece of wood. Thus, the heroic boy and his troop played about. You prayed, “Let sovereignty be granted to this son of mine, O Śaṃkara. Let him possess the state of the liṅga, imperishability, and a divine, most rare station—even among Brahmā, Indra, Varuṇa, Āditya, the guardians of the worlds, and the lords of lords. Let him be praised together with these very gaṇas by the great-souled ones. Therefore, let him be known as Kusumeśvara. Let him possess a divine power equal to mine, always served by the gaṇas. Behold the charming sight of Kinnara women singing.” Surrounded by Vidyādharas, Kusumeśa, O beautiful-faced one, was led to the state of Kusumeśvara, adorned with flowers. And, O wide-eyed one, a place was given to the Śivaliṅga in the north, marking the glory of this divine son.