A wondrous gathering unfolded as the devotees arrived, born from the tangled locks of the great Lord. These were no ordinary followers, but excellent beings, gaṇas of immense vow and power, who had come with resolute purpose—to fight. Among them assembled the Nirāśrayā gaṇas, called together by the Teacher of the world. The imperishable followers of the Bull-bannered One made their entrance, riding upon birds, their presence both formidable and auspicious. In this sacred moment, Bhairava and Viṣṇu were worshipped by the devotees as non-different, their unity honored in reverence. The gaṇas, led by mighty Vīrabhadra, had arisen from the very hair of the Lord, and now they stood ready to assist him, awaiting his instructions according to his desire and pleasure. The Blessed Lord, with compassion, comforted his followers with a gentle hand and invited them to sit. The chiefs among them, after embracing, bowed deeply to the great Lord Maheśvara, paying homage to his supreme presence. Witnessing this most wondrous event, all the lords of the gaṇas gazed in amazement, their minds bewildered by the marvel before them. Then, the lord of the gods, the wielder of the trident, the leader of the gaṇas, smiled and spoke. He recalled the embrace given to the great Pāśupatas and invited his followers to ask freely about their form, knowledge, and discernment. Addressing all the gaṇas, who pondered both being and non-being, he spoke further. To those deluded by ego, who reviled the station of Viṣṇu, he declared, “I am that Lord Viṣṇu; Viṣṇu is myself, the imperishable one.” He continued, “Therefore, by these tiger-like men, these gaṇas endowed with devotion, and by you, whose minds are deluded, I am constantly reviled.” After these words, the gaṇas addressed Maheśvara, saying, “You are indeed pure, spotless, peaceful, white, and stainless.” Hearing their meaningful words, the cloud-borne one responded, “Hear now; I shall tell 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 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 who is ever-changing, whose form is white, yellow, red, and dark as collyrium, that Blessed Lord—Sadāśiva—assumes these forms. The gaṇas replied, “O Lord, tell us the distinction of Sadāśiva.” The Lord then revealed the stainless form of Sadāśiva, appearing with a thousand faces, feet, and arms. Weapons of the gods were seen established in his staff, and he was adorned with thousands of fierce and Vaiṣṇava emblems. He bore the banner of the bird, rode the bull, and displayed the bull-banner. From him, great hosts of Pāśupata beings were born. In an instant, he became white, then red, yellow, or blue; in another instant, he became Rudra, Indra, Śambhu, or the radiant sun. Thus, the Lord displayed his infinite forms and glory to his devoted gaṇas.