Driven by fierce anger, he stretched out his arms and rushed at Maheśvara, determined to confront him. Śaṅkara, with calm strength, caught him effortlessly with both arms, holding him securely with just one hand. As he gripped his adversary, streams of blood flowed from his fingers in all directions, painting a vivid scene of divine power. Śaṅkara swung him about relentlessly, much like a lion playing with a young deer, displaying his supremacy. The assailant’s arms soon grew limp, his sinews and joints torn apart by the force of Śaṅkara’s grip. Again and again, he called out, “Come here, Kāpālin,” addressing the Lord of the chariot, inviting him to face his wrath. In the heat of battle, Śaṅkara struck him with his fist, causing his teeth to fall to the ground. Overwhelmed by the blow, he collapsed unconscious, like a mountain felled by a thunderbolt. Then, with his two terrible eyes, he cast a fierce gaze upon Vṛṣadhvaja, agitating all the gods with his formidable presence. Śaṅkara threw him down to the earth, shaking the heavens and unsettling all divine beings. Witnessing the might of Maheśvara, the gods bowed in reverence, standing with joined palms before him. Yet, in his wrath, Śaṅkara’s gaze threatened to burn up all the gods and asuras. Out of fear, many fled from Hara, seeking refuge in the abode of Yama. Those who were caught in the sight of his third eye were instantly reduced to ashes, such was the potency of his divine anger. The defeated one fled, his movement faltering, accompanied by the southern direction, and vanished into the sky. Maheśvara then took up the Pāśupata missile, revealing himself in the form of Time, standing ready to wield his cosmic power. With half his form in the sky, Śarva was described as the very embodiment of Time itself. O sage, it was requested that the characteristics and true nature of this Time-formed Lord be fully explained. Who, among all beings, pervaded the sky, desiring the welfare of the worlds? The narrative unfolded further: the sign of Aries, the field of Mars, was declared to be the head of this Time-formed one. Taurus, ruled by the Moon, became his mouth. Gemini was described as the arms of the mighty trident-wielder who stands in the sky. The sign of the Sun was celebrated as the heart of the Lord, O Brahman, while the house of the Moon’s son was the second, forming the Lord’s belly. Libra, the second house of Venus, was declared to be his navel; Scorpio, the second sign, was his genitals. The pair of thighs of the Lord were celebrated in this cosmic form, and half of Dhaniṣṭhā and Śatabhiṣ were his knees. Aquarius, the principal house of Saturn, was established as his shanks, and Pisces, the second house of Jupiter, were both his feet. Pierced and freed from pain and thought, he stood in the sky, his body adorned with stars, manifesting the grandeur of the cosmos. The sage was then asked to describe in detail the characteristics and true forms of these celestial signs, their movements, and the places they reside. Their places of movement were said to be found in grains, gems, and similar things. The Lord always moves among blooming flowers and on the banks of tranquil lakes. His dwelling place is the earth itself, with the fields serving as his refuge. Among singers, dancers, and artists, there are those skilled in playing the vīṇā; the pair, known by name, are established as having a dual nature. He is found in fields, reservoirs, and on secluded riverbanks as well. The Lord also dwells in hunters’ villages, mountain caves, and deep caverns, encompassing all realms of existence in his cosmic presence.