With deep humility and longing, a devotee approached Hara, the lord of the worlds, imploring, “I am your servant, O Hara; protect me. Destroy my sins, O lord.” Seeking refuge, he addressed the radiant one, embodiment of the three Vedas, and begged for purification. He acknowledged Shambhu as the lord of the three worlds and, fearful yet devoted, surrendered himself completely, his mind steadfast and freed from desire, bowing in reverence. “O Lord, O Ishana, remover of all sins, rescue me and be gracious,” he pleaded, admitting his sinful conduct and beseeching the lord of existence for mercy. He extolled Shiva, recognizing him as the very essence of auspiciousness, the sacred Om, Ishana, eternal and imperishable. He declared, “You are Indra, you are the Vaṣaṭ call, you are Dharma, and the best among the gods. By you, the entire world, both immobile and mobile, is pervaded.” The devotee continued, honoring Shiva as victory itself, the thousand-eyed, Virupaksha, and mighty-armed. He acknowledged Shiva as the unwavering lord of the celestials, Rudra, lord of creatures, and Shiva. “You are victorious, you hold the trident; rescue me, for I have sought refuge,” he implored. Moved by affection, the copper-eyed one spoke to the golden-eyed, saying, “Choose a boon, auspicious one, whatever you desire except for Ambika.” The devotee bowed to the feet of Ambika, the revered mother, and prayed that all his bodily, mental, verbal, sinful, or ill-conceived actions might be forgiven. Above all, he requested unwavering devotion to Shiva as his boon. Shiva, pleased, declared, “You are freed from the nature of a demon; Bhṛṅgī, become the leader of the attendants.” With his own hand, Shiva cleansed Andhaka, freeing him from wounds. The great souls, bowing to the three-eyed one, departed. Shiva showed Bhṛṅgī to them, clarifying, “This is certainly not Andhaka.” They praised the bull-bannered one, who had attained the leadership of the attendants. Shiva then blessed them, saying, “Go to your own abodes; enjoy happiness in heaven. There, having accomplished your own tasks, afterwards proceed to the highest heaven.” Released by Maheśa, the gods returned to their celestial realms. When the foremost gods, led by Śakra, had departed, blessed Śiva and the attendants mounted their respective vehicles and journeyed to places where wish-fulfilling cows and trees yielding all desires were found. After the attendants had gone their own ways, Maheśvara remained. Two thousand years later, the boon-holder returned, adorned with all marks and features. Seeing his arrival, the goddess summoned Jaya and the others, who came swiftly. The three-eyed one, seeing Girijā and also the demon Andhaka, spoke, “O goddess, this Andhaka has been made your servant by me.” Shiva then addressed Nandi and Andhaka, chief of the hosts, saying, “O son, quickly destroy Andhaka.” Thus commanded by the Lord, Nandi and Andhaka performed a praise most meritorious, sin-destroying, and in accord with the scriptures. Shiva declared, “Son, I am pleased. Ask for the highest boon.” Andhaka humbly requested, “May devotion to the Lord and to you, O Ambika, always be mine.” He remained, worshipping Śarva, and thus became the lord of the hosts.