Let us recount the wondrous tale as revealed in these sacred verses. Among the Bhairava Eight, there is Somaraja, renowned and adorned with a garland of discs, shining with distinction. Svacchandaraja stands forth, famed and radiant, his brilliance likened to Indra’s mighty weapon. Lalitaraja is known for his splendor, glowing with the beauty of a precious vessel. Vighnaraja is declared the eighth, completing the revered Bhairava Eight. O Brahman, these eight are upheld like a parasol by Bhairava himself, the wielder of the trident. It was by their power that Mahadeva, who possesses seven forms, was plunged into hardship. From his forehead arose a maiden, drenched in blood, and from her emerged a boy, whose form resembled a cluster of limbs. The maiden, after being cut, wondrously licked up the blood that had spilled forth. Shankara, the bestower of boons to the world, spoke great words for the welfare of all. He addressed the Yakshas, Vidyadharas, and humans, calling them auspicious ones. The maiden, because she was smeared with blood, was called Carcika, the auspicious one. This beautiful Carcika wandered all around the earth, eventually reaching the excellent place, the mountain Haingulata. By the favor of the great soul, rulership over planets and the world—both auspicious and inauspicious—would come to be. Lord Bhairava then made the body dry, leaving only skin and bones, with no blood remaining. The Lord of all moving and unmoving beings, the master of many forms of creatures, was praised and worshipped by all gods and others as the primordial one. At this time, Andhaka composed a hymn. Andhaka prayed, “O twenty-armed one, bearer of the serpent-lord, three-eyed, protect me whose mind is afflicted. O bearer of the bull, revered as the mother of the three worlds, I am fearful and have come to you for refuge, seeking shelter. The Yakshas, humans, the mighty Lord, and all beings call the lord of beings Maheshvara. I am your servant, O Hara; protect me. O lord of the worlds, destroy my sins. O embodiment of the three Vedas, O radiant one, purify me; I have come to you for refuge. You are the lord of the three worlds; purify me, O Shambhu. I am your servant, fearful, and have sought your shelter. With a mind conquered by the enemy of desire, I honor you, bowing my head in reverence. Rescue me, O Lord, O Ishana, remover of all sins, be gracious. Though my conduct has been sinful, O Lord of existence, be pleased with me. You are auspiciousness, you are Om, you are Ishana, eternal and imperishable. You are Indra, you are the Vaṣaṭ call, you are Dharma, and you are the best among the gods. By you, this entire world, both immobile and mobile, is pervaded. You are victory, you are thousand-eyed, you are Virupaksha, mighty-armed. You are the lord of the celestials, unwavering, Rudra, lord of creatures, Shiva. You are victorious, you hold the trident; rescue me, who has sought refuge.” Filled with affection, the copper-eyed one spoke to the golden-eyed, “Choose a boon, auspicious one, whatever you desire except for Ambika.” Andhaka replied, “I bow to the feet of the mother, my Ambika, worthy of reverence. Whether bodily, mental, verbal, sinful, or ill-conceived actions—may unwavering devotion to you be granted to me as this boon.” “You are freed from the nature of a demon,” declared the Lord. “Bhṛṅgī, become the leader of the attendants.” Then, with his own hand, he cleansed Andhaka, making him free from wounds. Those great souls departed, bowing to the three-eyed one, honoring his grace and wisdom.