iti -- with these words; mudhah -- the fool; pratijnaya -- having vowed; devam -- the lord; pasu-patim -- Siva, the protector of animallike men; prabhum -- his master; aradhayam asa -- worshiped; nripah -- the King; pamsu -- of dust; mushtim -- a handful; sakrit -- once (daily); grasan -- eating.

Having thus made his vow, the foolish King proceeded to worship Lord Pasupati [Siva] as his deity by eating a handful of dust each day, and nothing more.