Having purified himself with water, the illustrious one recollected the foremost leaders of the gaṇas. At his remembrance, these divine hosts swiftly rose and bowed before the Lord of the gods in reverence. He then reported all that had transpired to the great-souled Śaṅkara. These assembled ones are known as the Rudras, numbering eleven crores. Among them are the renowned and glorious doorkeepers, ever watchful. There are also sixty crores of boys called Skanda, who are known as Viśākhas and Naigameyas, O Śaṅkara. For each one, O Lord of gods, there are as many mothers as sons. These are the Śaivas, your devoted leaders of the gaṇas. Countless gaṇas had come together, gathering to offer their aid. Your own devotees, born from your matted locks, had arrived—these excellent, resolute gaṇas, great in their vows, had come prepared for battle. The Nirāśrayā gaṇas, too, had assembled, O Teacher of the world. The imperishable followers of the Bull-bannered One arrived, riding upon birds. Bhairava and Viṣṇu were worshipped by these devotees as one and the same, without distinction. The Gaṇas, led by Vīrabhadra, had arisen from your very hair. They had come to assist you, awaiting your instruction according to your pleasure. The Blessed Lord comforted them with his hand and seated them with care. These chiefs, having embraced one another, bowed before the great Lord Maheśvara. Witnessing this most wondrous event, all the lords of the Gaṇas gazed in amazement, their minds awestruck and bewildered. Then, the Lord of the gods, wielder of the trident and leader of the Gaṇas, spoke with a gentle smile. He said, “That embrace you gave to the great Pāśupatas—tell us freely, O mighty ones, about their form, their knowledge, and their discernment.” He addressed all the Gaṇas, those who pondered the nature of being and non-being. He continued, “By those deluded by ego, who revile the station of Viṣṇu—know this: I am that Lord Viṣṇu; Viṣṇu is myself, the imperishable one. Therefore, by these tiger-like men, these Gaṇas endowed with devotion—by you, whose minds are deluded, I am constantly reviled.” When these words were spoken, the Gaṇas addressed Maheśvara, saying, “You are indeed pure, spotless, peaceful, white, and stainless.” Hearing their meaningful words, the cloud-borne one replied, “Listen now; I shall reveal everything, words that increase my own glory. Out of fear of reproach, I reveal this secret to you. “With steadfast effort, you must assume a single-formed body. My pleasure does not arise from sandalwood and other offerings, even when offered with a focused mind. I protect even those devoted to you who are worthy of hell, for the sake of my own fame. Just as the devotees of Hara, though ascetics, may fall into hell, therefore, today I do not cast you into the wondrous hell. “He whose form is white, yellow, red, and dark as collyrium—that Blessed Lord, whose form is white, yellow, red, and dark as collyrium—” Thus, the Lord revealed these truths to his devoted hosts, enveloping them in his grace and wisdom.