The good and evil, which are the creation of Hari’s delusive power, cannot be dispersed unless Hari be worshipped. Bearing this in mind and forswearing all desire, one should worship Hari.

In that Kaliyuga, O king of birds, I lived for many years at Ayodhya, till a famine occurred, when, stricken with adversity, I had to move to another country.

Listen, O enemy of serpents; I went to Ujjain in a state of utter wretchedness, poverty and affliction. There after some time I acquired some wealth and once more began to practise devotion to Shiva.

There was a Brahman who constantly worshipped Shiva according to Vedic rules and had no other occupation. He was a very saintly man, a knower of the highest truth, who worshipped Shambhu but showed no disrespect to Vishnu.

I served him though with a guileful heart. The Brahman was kindness itself and an abode of piety. Seeing me outwardly so humble, my lord, he instructed me as his own son.

That excellent Brahman imparted to me a secret spell sacred to Shiva and gave me every kind of good advice. I used to go to a temple of Shiva and repeat the spell there, but my pride and self-conceit were on the increase.

A wretched blockhead that I was, with a soul full of impurity, low-born and overcome by infatuation, I seethed with rage at the very sight of the Brahmans and the votaries of Hari and vented my spleen on Vishnu!