Rudra, filled with compassion, spoke to the goddess: “O goddess, be the bestower of boons to all, ever-present everywhere.” He explained that through devotion, the goddess had been attained in a threefold manner. Those who understand this threefold origin of the goddess are blessed with boons. Rudra revealed a potent secret: when a king, deprived of his kingdom, observes the ninth day with purity and discipline, within a year he regains a kingdom free from obstacles. This observance is linked to the supreme white creation, the sattvic force established in Brahman. Alongside this, there is the black, tamasic, fierce goddess, as proclaimed in the scriptures. For the sake of cosmic purpose, the one divine power became threefold. Those who realize this truth are freed from all sin and attain supreme liberation. Such a person has no fear of fire, slaughter, serpents, thieves, or any similar danger. By this knowledge, everything in the three worlds—both moving and unmoving—becomes subject to him. Jewels, horses, cows, male and female servants all come under his domain. Śrī Varāha then declared, “I have now recounted in full the greatness of Rudra.” He described the vastness of the goddess’s forms: ninety million forms of Cāmuṇḍā are established, and one hundred and eighty million forms of Vaiṣṇavī. The goddess established in sattva, who is both of Brahman and Śakti, is infinite. The Lord is indeed all—Rudra is all-pervading and the master of all. Thus concludes the ninety-sixth chapter, called “The Secret of the Three Powers,” in the Triśakti Māhātmya of the Śrī Varāha Purāṇa. Varāha continued: “By knowing this, one is freed from sins—of this there is no doubt.” He related what happened when Rudra was first created by Brahmā. Out of curiosity, Brahmā, the Lord, took Rudra upon his shoulder. At birth, Rudra’s fifth head spoke, and Brahmā addressed him by many names: Kapālin, Rudra, Babhru, Bhava, Kairāta, Suvrata. Thus, Rudra became known by these future names. Then, with the nail of his left thumb, Rudra struck the prājāpatya head. When that head was severed, the three-eyed one stood there. Rudra asked, “How will this sin of mine be destroyed? Tell me, O virtuous one.” Brahmā replied, “By performing the proper observance, joined with discipline, through your own power.” Following Brahmā’s guidance, Rudra stood there and split the severed head into three. He made a sacred thread from hair and fashioned the great bones into rosary beads. He broke another piece and placed it in his matted locks. Rudra continually bathed in the holy fords of the blessed land with seven continents. He traveled to the Sarasvatī, and from there to the confluence with the Yamunā. He visited the Vitastā, the Candrabhāgā, the Gomatī, and the Sindhu. Then he went to Nepāla, and from there to the great shrine of Rudra. He journeyed to Maheśvara, and finally reached the holy Gayā. In this way, O bearer of beings, Rudra swiftly traversed the entire universe. His only garment was a loincloth; naked, he became a skull-bearing ascetic. When even that fell, O goddess, Rudra became a naked, skull-bearing ascetic, wandering in penance and devotion.