Vyasa, the venerable son of Parashara, spoke to the sages about the power and sanctity of a particular hymn dedicated to Shiva. He explained that those who seek fame, heaven, sovereignty, wealth, or victory should recite this hymn with devotion, and those aspiring for knowledge should do so with earnest effort. Even those afflicted by disease, suffering, poverty, or seized by fear—or those engaged in royal duties—would find themselves freed from great fear by its recitation. Vyasa revealed that happiness in this world is granted by Maheśvara and the Gaṇas to those who recite the hymn, and such a devotee may even become the lord of the Gaṇas. In homes where Bhava, another name for Shiva, is praised, no obstacles arise from Yakṣas, Piśācas, Nāgas, or Vināyakas. He assured that if a woman hears this hymn with devotion and becomes absorbed in Bhava, she is honored in both her father’s and husband’s families. All undertakings of those who hear or repeatedly recite this hymn succeed without obstacles. Whatever is desired in the mind or uttered by speech is accomplished for the devotee through repeated recitation. Vyasa instructed that, after offering oblations to the god Saguha, the goddess, and Nandīśvara, with self-restraint and discipline, one should perform the rite and then quickly take their names in order. This practice brings desired wealth, pleasures, and enjoyments. Even one who dies after reciting the hymn attains heaven, surrounded by a thousand women and endowed with all pleasures, regardless of past sins. The hymn composed by Daksha, when recited, frees one from all sins, and after death, the devotee attains union with Shiva’s attendants, being honored by gods and demons alike. Such a person shines, riding in a celestial chariot drawn by a bull, and remains established until the dissolution of creation, becoming a follower of Rudra. Vyasa cautioned that this knowledge is profound and secret; it is not widely known nor should it be told to just anyone. Yet, even those born in sinful lineages—Vaishyas, women, and Shudras—upon hearing this supreme secret, attain the realm of Rudra. Whoever recites it to Brahmins on sacred occasions, that twice-born surely attains Rudra’s realm; there is no doubt. Having heard this story, which destroys sin and arose from Rudra’s wrath, the foremost sages listened attentively as Vyasa spoke, and the twice-born rejoiced. They heard of Parvati’s anger, the unbearable wrath of Shambhu, the birth of Virabhadra, and the origin of Bhadrakali. They learned of the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice, the wondrous might of Shambhu, and the mercy shown by the great-souled Daksha. The sages heard about Rudra’s share of the sacrifice and the fruits of Daksha’s ritual, and again and again, they were delighted, pleased, and amazed. The twice-born then asked Vyasa to tell them more, especially about the Ekamra field. Questioned thus, Vyasa spoke again, recounting what Brahma had described. The foremost sages praised the tale, their hearts thrilled and their hairs standing on end. They exclaimed, “Ah! The greatness of god Shambhu has been proclaimed by you, as well as the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice, O best of gods. Now, please speak of the excellent field of Ekamra. Our curiosity is supreme.” Hearing their words, Brahma, the four-faced lord of the worlds, spoke: “That field of Shambhu on earth is the destroyer of evil deeds. Hear, O tiger among sages, I shall briefly describe the most auspicious field, which removes all sins and is exceedingly rare. It is adorned with millions of lingas, equal in sanctity to Varanasi, auspicious and renowned as Ekamra, endowed with eight holy bathing places. In ancient times, the Ekamra tree stood there, and from its name, the field is known as Ekamra.” Brahma described the city: filled with joyful and prosperous people, men and women together, abundant with learned groups, and rich in wealth and grain. The city was crowded with houses and gateways, adorned with three-arched entrances, filled with merchants of every kind, and beautified by various precious gems. It boasted lofty towers and turrets, splendidly decorated with chariots, and graced by shining palaces resembling royal swans. Roads and gateways were equipped, white ramparts adorned the city, guarded by bands of armed men, and encircled by moats. Flags of white, red, yellow, black, and dark hues fluttered vigorously in the wind. Constant festivals brought joy, with the sounds of various musical instruments—vīṇās, flutes, and drums—accompanied by cymbals. Divine temples, ramparts, and gardens adorned the city, with wondrous arrangements for worship everywhere. Joyful women with slender waists were seen, their necks adorned with necklaces, and their eyes long like lotus petals. They had full, high breasts, dark complexions, faces like the full moon, steady locks of hair, beautiful cheeks, and jingling girdles and anklets. With lovely hair and charming hips, their eyes extended to their ears, endowed with all auspicious marks, and adorned with every ornament. Some wore divine, radiant garments, some shone like gold, moving with the grace of swans and elephants, their bodies bent by the weight of their breasts. Their limbs were anointed with divine fragrances, their ears adorned with ornaments, languid from delight, with beautiful hips and ever-smiling faces. Their teeth were slightly visible, lips red as bimba fruit, voices sweet, mouths stained with betel, clever and pleasing to behold. Thus, Vyasa and Brahma together revealed the glory of Shiva, the power of devotion, and the unparalleled beauty and sanctity of the Ekamra field, filling the hearts of the sages with wonder and reverence.