He who has fulfilled his purpose in the world of mortals should offer libations for the satisfaction of his ancestors at Indratīrtha, and especially at the sacred Yamatīrtha. This tīrtha is dedicated to Maheśvara, and there, Śiva himself is present, worshipped and praised by devoted and learned Brahmins. The Lord is honored with Vedic and worldly mantras, accompanied by dances, songs, and music, and with offerings of the five nectars. Many gifts are made: prostrations, circumambulations, incense, lamps, food offerings, flowers, and fragrant scents fill the air. With single-minded devotion, the worshipper honors both Viṣṇu and Śaṃbhu, the Lords of the gods. Pleased by such devotion, the two Lords grant boons, bestowing both enjoyment and liberation, and the supreme greatness of that sacred place. From that time onward, the tīrtha is known as both Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava, and it is said that bathing and giving charity there fulfill all desires. Whoever remembers or recites the names of these holy places is freed from all sins and attains the city of Śiva and Viṣṇu. Especially at Bhānutīrtha, bathing brings the fulfillment of all aims, for this sacred place is of great merit, containing the essence of a hundred tīrthas. It is also known as Bhillatīrtha, destroyer of disease and remover of sin, bestowing devotion to the twin lotus feet of Mahādeva. Now, listen to this virtuous story, O wise one, of what took place on the southern bank of the Gaṅgā, on the northern slope of Śrīgiri. There, Mahādeva, known as Ādikeśa, is always present, granting all desires, worshipped by sages in the form of a liṅga. Among them dwelled a sage named Sindhudvīpa, renowned for his supreme righteousness, and his brother Veda, a great seer. Every day, when the midday sun arrived, the god Ādikeśa—enemy of Tripura, the three-eyed one—was worshipped with devotion. Veda, wise among the twice-born, would go to the village for alms. While he was away, a hunter of great righteousness roamed the holy mountain, hunting daily, wandering through various lands and slaying animals as he pleased. Carrying water in his mouth for anointing the trident-bearing Lord and placing meat on the tip of his bow, the weary hunter would approach Śiva. Coming to Ādikeśa, he would set the meat outside, go to the Gaṅgā for water, and return again to the deity. With leaves gathered in his hand and his mind intent, he would offer pieces of meat, worshipping Ādikeśa—even as Veda had worshipped with power before. The hunter would strike the previous worship with his foot and with the water brought in his mouth. After bathing Lord Śiva and worshipping him with leaves, the hunter would offer the flesh, saying, “May Śiva be pleased with me.” He knew nothing of auspicious devotion to Śiva, nor of proper rites; after his worship, he would take the meat back as he had brought it and return home. Day after day, he came and went in this manner, yet the Lord was satisfied with him—such is the wondrous nature of the Lord’s ways. Indeed, as long as the hunter did not come, Śiva found no happiness. Who can comprehend the boundless compassion that Śambhu shows to his devotees? Thus, the hunter worshipped the Primeval Lord, along with Uma, every day. When much time had passed in this way, Veda became angry. He thought, “Whoever destroys a worship adorned with mantras and devotion to Śiva is truly sinful and deserves to be slain by me. One who betrays a teacher, deity, twice-born, or master is fit for death, even by a sage; above all, a man who is hostile to Śiva deserves to be slain.” So Veda and his brother Sindhu wondered, “Whose wicked deed is this, belonging to such an utterly evil soul? He who destroys a worship performed with forest flowers, divine bulbs, roots, and auspicious fruits, and then performs another worship—with flesh and tree leaves—he too is fit for death by me.” Thinking thus, the wise one concealed himself, intent on finding the culprit. “I wish to see that sinner, the one who performs worship for the Lord,” Veda resolved. Meanwhile, the hunter approached the deity as before. As the hunter worshipped as usual, the Primeval Lord spoke to him: “O hunter of great wisdom, you seem weary again and again. Why have you come after so long? Without you, dear one, I find no happiness at all. Take comfort, my son.” Hearing the Lord speak thus, Veda looked on in amazement and anger, but kept silent. The hunter completed his worship and went home as always. Now, filled with rage, Veda approached the Lord and spoke: “This hunter is devoted to sin, lacking knowledge of proper rites, cruel, intent on harming living beings, and merciless to all creatures. He is of low birth, ignorant, without a teacher’s guidance, always acting improperly, and has never even subdued a single cow. He has revealed himself to you, but will you not say anything to me? O Lord, I perform worship with proper mantras and vows. Yet this hunter, who has taken refuge in you alone, always without wife or child, performs your worship with impure meat. It is truly astonishing that the Lord is pleased with him and not with me; I shall punish this Bhilla, who has done wrong.