All those enemies who had been defeated by you, though they wielded many kinds of weapons, found their strength consumed in but a moment when deprived of your favor. In the aftermath, the one who had attained lordship over the three worlds shone brilliantly, his fame adorning him like a radiant garment. For those who emerge victorious in battle, there is no fear at all from enemies, and he was ever worshipped by the gods and their attendants, each seeking the fulfillment of their cherished desires. Along with his retinue, he was to be honored everywhere, at all times, for such was the decree. Your devotees, too, always worshipped him before you, their devotion guiding their reverence. At that moment, the granting goddess spoke, saying, “So be it,” and then departed towards heaven. She established guardianship of that place together with the Mothers, undertaking its protection with care and vigilance. As she surveyed the aftermath, she saw the distorted head of Mahisha, severed by the sword. Together with her companions, the maiden gazed at his neck, and Gauri swiftly took from his throat the emblem that was situated there. Yet, as soon as she did so, the emblem attached itself to her palm once more. The goddess was filled with wonder and amazement, pondering, “What is this?” Then, realization dawned upon her: “He is a devotee of Shiva.” Overcome with sorrow, she understood that, without reflection, she had begun the destruction of one who was devoted to Shiva. The maiden approached and confessed, “A rash act has been done by me. Through reverence, and in the very form of righteousness, some unrighteousness has been committed. Out of ignorance, I harmed the demon Mahisha, who was devoted to Shiva. Though he had easily gained the grace of the Guru, he was afflicted by a hundred obstacles. Especially, Shiva greatly honors those who bear the liṅga. Those who were undefeated were previously destroyed by Shambhu, having abandoned the liṅga.” She lamented further, “How can I remove the sin incurred from killing a devotee of Shiva? I will undertake a pilgrimage until Shambhu becomes pleased. By performing ritual baths at the sacred places, I shall obtain purification from sin.” Hearing her words, one who was a knower of Shiva’s dharma spoke to her, perceiving her distress and fear. “O daughter of the mountain,” he said gently, “those who truly know the subtle meaning of dharma are rare indeed. The scriptures declare twenty-eight crores, explained in five ways, and among them even the greatest sages attain them only by bowing in reverence. These five are the great vows, the very sources of the path of Shiva. Yet, among all these, only one is supremely powerful and always attainable—Shiva himself. “Those who are free from envy, devoted to Shiva, and obedient to his commands, always worship the Great God, who grants all things. But those who break the dharma of Shiva must be destroyed immediately; one should slay the breaker of Shiva’s dharma without hesitation. When Shiva’s dharma is destroyed, power immediately arises. O goddess, he cannot be conquered—therefore, he is revered by all the gods. “Know that he was afflicted by the curse of the great sages, who were themselves devoted to Shiva. They cursed him, saying, ‘Let this wicked one become a buffalo, like the demon Mahiṣa.’ Humbled, he bowed down, sought to please them, and begged for release from the curse.