Salutations are ever offered to the Supreme Self, the One who is eternally beloved by His devotees. In deep reverence, the brāhmaṇa sage bowed his head again and again before the Lord. Seeing this devotion, the blessed Śaṅkara—Lord Shiva Himself—was pleased, and with compassion spoke directly to the brāhmaṇa. The Lord, giver of boons, addressed him with gentle words: “O noble one, I grant you all boons, even those that are most difficult to obtain. Whether you desire the status of Brahmā, the position of a world-protector, or even the highest liberation—whatever your heart wishes for, O eminent twice-born, speak it without delay.” Hearing these gracious words, the brāhmaṇa’s heart was filled with inner joy. With humility, he replied to the boon-bestowing Lord: “O bestower of boons, I seek not the status of Brahmā, nor the position of a world-protector, nor even liberation itself. O Lord of gods, O Śaṅkara, as You are pleased, I yearn only for devotion to You. O chief of the gods, may Your favor rest upon me. This alone is my desire: unwavering devotion to You, who dwell within the hearts of all beings. Through the recitation of millions of Rudra mantras and by devoted worship, I seek only this.” Hearing such pure-hearted devotion, Śaṅkara smiled affectionately and spoke sweetly to him: “With a pure mind, you have worshipped Me with true devotion. O child, devotion to My feet never turns Me away. O great sage, you have performed severe austerities for a full thousand years, accomplishing a most wonderful and exceedingly difficult act. All the gods, together with Indra, will come to see you. “Now, you shall possess a divine, radiant form, adorned with celestial ornaments, assuming My very appearance—endowed with My energy, three-eyed, and supreme in all virtues. With this very body, you shall be free from old age and death. You will become the foremost among My attendants, O best of the twice-born. You have attained the eightfold excellence and sovereignty, O possessor of great austerity. From this day forward, you shall be preeminent among the gods in all divine undertakings. All beings everywhere will worship you alone. You will always be the bestower of boons to those who seek them, and the sustainer of the world. “Whoever hates you, hates Me; whoever follows you, follows Me. You must ever stand at the southern gate, O lord of the hosts, and from today, you shall be the doorkeeper at all times, O best of the gods. Not by the thunderbolt, nor by the staff, nor by the discus, nor by fire—none of these can harm you—not the gods, nor demons, nor gandharvas, yakshas, rakshasas, or serpents. When you are pleased, I am pleased; when you are angry, I am angry.” Having thus granted these boons, the Lord of Uma, pleased in heart, spoke further: “Know that all the gods who have come, along with the hosts of Maruts, are present here. Whatever boon I have declared to you, dear one, let it be fulfilled. With Narayana at their head, Indra, the Maruts, and the hosts of Yakshas, Vidyadharas, Siddhas, Gandharvas, and Nagas—all are here. Seeing your prosperity, they are tormented by intense envy. Always, those who seek boons long to practice austerity here, for until they arrive, mortals do not see Me.” Thus, the Lord blessed the devoted sage, and his glory was established among all beings.