Hearing the meaningful words spoken by those assembled, the cloud-borne one—whose presence filled the air—responded with solemnity. “Listen carefully,” he said. “I shall reveal everything to you now, words that will magnify my own glory. Out of concern for reproach, I share this secret with you. With steadfast effort, you must assume a single-formed body.” He continued, “My pleasure does not arise from offerings of sandalwood and other gifts, even when given with focused devotion. Instead, I protect even those devoted to you who are otherwise destined for hell, for the sake of my own fame. Just as the devotees of Hara, though ascetics, sometimes fall into hell, so too, today, I do not cast you into the wondrous hell.” He spoke of the Lord whose form appears in white, yellow, red, and dark as collyrium. This Blessed Lord, ever worthy of worship, is Sadāśiva, who assumes these many forms. The listeners, eager for deeper understanding, asked, “O Lord, tell us the distinction of Sadāśiva.” In response, he revealed the stainless form of Sadāśiva, a vision of awe. The Lord appeared 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 carried the bull-banner, signifying his divine presence. From him, great hosts of Pāśupata beings were born. In an instant, he would become white, then red, yellow, or blue. In another instant, he would appear as Rudra, Indra, Śambhu, or even the radiant sun. Witnessing this most wondrous event, the hosts of Shiva and others gazed upon Sadāśiva, the god of gods, recognizing him as undivided. Among those whose sins had been cleansed and who now perceived no division, Lord Hari spoke: “I am pleased with you all, O virtuous ones, because of this knowledge. May the sin that arises from the perception of division depart from us.” The Unmanifest One then embraced all the leaders of the hosts. Just as the Mandara mountain, following the course described in the scriptures, settled in the midst, so too did the mighty bull of Hara, with a body covered in dark hide and colored like autumn clouds, shine forth. The foremost mountain, Mandara, with caves inhabited by the Pramathas, resounded with excitement as the Pramathas struck many musical instruments. Vinayaka, the lord of obstacles, traveling along the path of the wind, heard the commotion. He saw the foremost mountain Mandara and also his father. Vinayaka asked, “Why do you stand still, Lord of the universe? Arise, eager for battle.” His father replied, “I will go to slay Andhaka; one must remain here, vigilant.” Hara looked upon Vinayaka with affection and said, “Go, conquer Andhaka.” With great delight, Vinayaka bowed in salutation and reverently touched his father’s feet. Jayā, Vijayā, Jayantī, and Aparājitā were to be carefully protected, as Hara instructed the daughter of the mountain to watch over them with utmost attention. Satisfied and eager for victory, the mighty wielder of the trident emerged from his house. All around him, his followers raised cries of triumph, surrounding him on all sides as he prepared for battle.