To properly honor the Lord of the gods, one should begin by offering reverent salutations, proclaiming aloud, “Obeisance to you, O Three-eyed One.” The worship continues with the presentation of incense, the anointing of his feet with sandal paste, and the offering of food—specifically, rice mixed with sesame. With a heart full of devotion, one should pray, “May the great god, the consort of Uma, be pleased with me.” At the conclusion of a sacred fast, it is fitting to bathe the Three-eyed Lord with due ceremony, expressing heartfelt pleas: “Be gracious; I am afflicted. O Lord, please remove my sorrow as is fitting.” The fast itself should be observed with utmost care and devotion, as befits the best among the twice-born. In worship, jasmine flowers are offered alongside incense and sandalwood, delighting the Lord. Rudra is pleased when presented with a pair of garments, and as his many names are recited in praise. The wise offer incense made from guggulu and buffalo dung mixed with ghee, as well as gifts that include food offerings and a deerskin. All these acts, when performed with faith, serve to please the Lord of the gods. Shankara, too, is worshipped with mango blossoms. The wise should continuously recite his names, for such recitation is said to destroy the power of time and death. Those who wear the sacred thread and are steadfast in devotion should offer cooked food, and incense should be presented to the Three-eyed One, which brings prosperity in times to come. Gifts of an umbrella, a garment, and a necklace are to be given by the devotee, and all acts of worship should be performed with heartfelt devotion, for the satisfaction of the Lord of the universe. Incense made from white dhattura flowers and silhaka is offered, and the devotee proclaims loudly, “Salutations to you, destroyer of Daksha’s sacrifice.” Incense is also offered with auspicious, fruit-bearing leaves and fragrant substances, and food offerings of curd-rice, milk-cooked rice, pulses, and cakes are presented. The learned recite the names “Ganga-bearer” and “Shambhu,” and by such devotion, one attains inexhaustible desires, just as Maheshvara himself has declared. These instructions were spoken by Rudra to the sage among the gods, and thus it is, without exception. In the course of creation, from the Lord’s navel, various beings arose and became gods. His supreme delight is increased through the kadamba tree. From that, a banyan tree emerged, which ever serves as his seat of asceticism. This too was produced for Sharva, always fashioned by his own lordly power. The thorny khadira tree became more excellent even than the works of Vishvakarman, the divine craftsman. The sindhuvara, when placed in a pot, shines as the lord of the hosts. The black udumbara tree was born from Rudra, as was the bull, the bringer of garments. From Katyayani came the shami tree, and the bilva fruit appeared in the hand of Lakshmi. On the extended tail and back of Vasuki, the serpent king, grew the sacred grasses, both white and black. As all these sacred trees and plants came into being, devotion to the gods arose through them. One should worship Vishnu in these forms, thereby fulfilling his portion. This worship is performed with the chief herbs, especially throughout the autumn season. Offerings also include jewels, pearls, coral, and various garments, as well as bitter offerings that are whole and unbroken. When a full year passes with everything in the household remaining unbroken, one should bathe with that which preserved the year’s wholeness, honoring the sacred cycle and the blessings that have been bestowed.