A devotee, once purified from sin, draws near to Rudra, attaining a closeness that is both profound and transformative. At the sacred times of dawn, midday, and evening, such a devotee achieves the highest state of yoga, their heart and mind attuned to the divine. In this blessed state, the devotee beholds the god—Rudra, the wielder of the trident—and offers worship with unwavering devotion. With a mind disciplined and steady, the devotee dwells in constant adoration of the matted-haired Lord, seeking his presence always. After many years had passed, the Lord himself set out to visit the ruler of the middle region. Upon arriving and beholding a river of crystal-clear, pure water, the sage’s heart was filled with delight. His mind, cleansed by devotion, led him to perform the sacred bath, meticulously observing the prescribed rites. He then worshipped Bhava, the origin of all worlds, with a multitude of fragrant flowers, and honored Madhyameśvara, the Lord who bears the trident. At that sacred place, many gathered to behold Rudra, the Lord Madhyameśvara. Among them were ascetics with matted hair and those with shaven heads, all adorned with white sacred threads. These sages were devoted to celibacy, peaceful in demeanor, and deeply intent on the knowledge of Vedānta. Having performed the prescribed worship, they addressed one another with reverence. Paila and the other disciples then spoke to these sages absorbed in the contemplation of Brahman. There was Vyāsa himself—Hṛṣīkeśa—he who had divided the Vedas. From a portion of himself, the Lord was born as a son named Śuka, who, through supreme devotion, attained divine knowledge. With focused and undistracted minds, all those present bowed and addressed the son of Satyavatī, seeking to know that which is the supreme Maheśvara, the grace of the God of gods. They prayed, “May we swiftly see that God, having heard of Him from the lips of the Blessed One.” Vyāsa, foremost among the knowers of yoga, imparted that supreme knowledge to the assembled yogis. In that very place, those brāhmaṇas, so deeply absorbed, vanished in a moment, attaining liberation. Vyāsa then spoke to Paila and the others of the greatness of Madhyameśa. The Blessed Lord, ever delighted, abides there, surrounded by Rudras. Kṛṣṇa himself remained at that holy site for a year, always in the company of devotees of Paśupati, and undertook the vow of Paśupati to worship Śaṃbhu. Through the words of the Lord, they received divine knowledge and beheld the great Lord with their own eyes. The blessed Lord, granter of boons, bestowed upon Kṛṣṇa the highest boon. For these devotees, that divine knowledge, which pervades the entire universe, would arise. The Lord declared, “By my grace, without doubt, you will be revered by the twice-born. The sin of slaying a brāhmaṇa and other such grievous sins will quickly be destroyed for you. You shall attain that supreme abode—there is no need for further deliberation.” They continued to worship Mahādeva, the Lord of the middle region. Each brāhmaṇa who performs this worship purifies up to the seventh generation of his family. Whatever merit a mortal might gain elsewhere, here it is multiplied tenfold. Thus, the devotee remained for a long time, faithfully worshipping the great Lord. In time, the blessed Vyāsa set forth, accompanied by Jaimini and the foremost sages. He visited Viśvarūpa and the holy place Tālatīrtha, which is without equal. He journeyed on to Svarnola, the great sacred place, and to Gaurītīrtha, also unsurpassed. At last, he came to the excellent holy place called Jambukeśvara, renowned as Dharma itself.