Sūta said: Formerly, Nandīśvara the son of Śilāda, the lord of the Gaṇas and a favourite of Śiva, was asked thus by Sanatkumāra on the peak of the splendid Meru. After bowing down to him the chiefs of all sages put the same question to him. O leading sages, may ye now listen to that doctrine of perfect knowledge narrated to Sanatkumāra by the delighter of his race.