With a heart full of compassion, the Lord of Uma spoke to the twice-born devotee, bestowing upon him extraordinary blessings. “With this very body,” he declared, “you shall be free from old age and death. You will be foremost among my attendants, O best of the twice-born. You have attained the eightfold excellence and sovereignty, O possessor of 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 always stand at the southern gate, O lord of the hosts. From today, you shall be the doorkeeper at all times, O best of the gods.” He continued, “Not by the thunderbolt, nor by the staff, nor by the discus, nor by fire—can gods, demons, gandharvas, yakshas, rakshasas, or serpents harm you. When you are pleased, I am pleased; when you are angry, I am angry.” Having granted these boons, the Lord of Uma, pleased, 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 answered.” He revealed, “Having Narayana at their head, those with Indra and the hosts of Maruts, the hosts of Yakshas, Vidyadharas, Siddhas, Gandharvas, and Nagas—having realized that your prosperity is attained, they are tormented by intense envy. Always, those who seek boons long to practice here. Here, until they arrive, mortals do not see me. But today, all the gods, led by Brahma, are with you through me. O best of twice-born, I know the intention of them all.” Thus concluded the two hundred thirteenth chapter in the glorification of Gokarneshvara, in the divine scripture of the Varaha Purana. Once again, the greatness of Gokarna and the granting of boons by Nandikeshvara was recounted. In that existence, the lord of beings became invisible. He stood there with four arms, three eyes, and a divine form—holding a trident, a club, a staff, and the Pinaka bow, wearing a girdle of munja grass. He stood, drawing back his foot, as if calling out to that twice-born one. Seeing him, all the celestial beings moving in the sky became apprehensive. Hearing this, the thousand-eyed Indra and all the other dwellers of heaven spoke among themselves: “This one, having obtained a boon from Maheshvara, beloved of Uma—such is his great enthusiasm, endowed with brilliance and strength. As long as he moves through heaven with such power, this lord—” Thus speaking, those excellent gods remained there with me. The Creator, the Blessed Vishnu, the Lord, the Ruler of the three worlds—by that act, the gods and sages beheld him. He went to the place where Nandi stands, like a god; and reflected, “Today my life is fulfilled, and my effort has borne fruit. Because I have seen Hari, the lord of the gods, the teacher of all worlds. And because the Lord Hara, remover of sins, was calm and pleased with me. This is a supreme favor to me; now, indeed, I am purified. He spoke what is true and beneficial for me, and not otherwise.