Simply hearing and approving of this sacred act, a person attains the highest state. Whoever, even once, offers a ghee lamp before the liṅga—regardless of the lamp’s material, whether wood, earth, or anything else—reaches that state, one so firm and difficult to obtain that even those steadfast in their own āśramas may not achieve it. If someone, along with their family, gives such a lamp—be it of iron, copper, silver, or gold—they are honored in the world of Śiva. Whoever offers a lamp to Śiva, whether following the proper rules or simply with devotion, is transported to the city of Śiva in radiant vehicles, their splendor rivaling ten thousand suns. Especially, one who offers a ghee lamp before Śiva during the auspicious month of Kārtika, or who witnesses the worship of Parameśvara performed according to tradition, reaches the world of Brahmā through faith and devotion, by invocation, presence, installation, and worship. The seat for worship is prescribed with the Rudra Gāyatrī and the Praṇava, and the ritual ablution is performed five times, especially with Rudra and the other sacred mantras. Thus, one should daily worship the God of gods, the consort of Umā. To his right, Brahmā is to be especially revered with the Praṇava. To the north, Viṣṇu, the Lord of gods, is to be worshipped with the Gāyatrī, and oblations are to be offered into the fire as prescribed, again with the Praṇava, five times. By worshipping Śaṅkara in this way, one attains union with Śiva. Thus, in summary, the procedure for worshipping the Liṅga has been set forth. This teaching was once given by Vyāsa, who heard it directly from the mouth of Rudra himself. Then, the sages inquired, “How was it that, upon seeing Paśupati, the gods abandoned their bondage as mere cattle? Please tell us how they were freed from that state.” Long ago, on the peak of Mount Kailāsa, in his own city called Bhogya, the gods gathered and approached the all-knowing Lord by his grace. For the welfare of all the gods, Janārdana, together with Brahmā, mounted Garuḍa, the supreme bird, and set forth. Hari, with all the deities, came before the God of gods. Having reached the auspicious great mountain, they remained there with the Lord. Accompanied by Indra, the Sādhyas, and the Yamas, they bowed to the excellent mountain. The blessed Vāsudeva, the bearer of Garuḍa, alighted and, with the foremost of the gods, ascended Mount Meru. The mountain was free from all misfortune, ever bestowing supreme enjoyment, resounding with the joyful cries of curlews, filled with the songs of serpents, and echoing with melodious music. It was shaded with gentle darkness, bordered by lush groves, and caressed by lovely breezes and cool waters. The mountain was adorned with hundreds of thousands of radiant mansions, graced by skillful flocks of swans, and interspersed with dhava, khadira, palāśa, sandalwood, and other trees. It was alive with excellent birds, cuckoos, and bees. In some places, it was thick with all kinds of divine trees—kurabaka, priyaka, tilaka, kadamba, tamāla, and entwined with flowering vines—its peaks rising in great variety. On the summit of this mountain, Viśvakarman had fashioned a supreme Śaiva abode for the sport of the God of gods, Bhava, the supreme Lord. The gods, with Indra and Upendra, beheld this city; their minds were composed, and from a distance, they bowed in awe before the majesty of the trident-wielding Lord. Radiant as a thousand suns, vast and adorned with countless virtues, the great-souled Lord of Kailāsa, the first god, entered the city at the slope of Meru. Then, filled with women, elephants, horses, and many chariots, and accompanied by hosts and their leaders, the slayer of the enemies of the gods approached the great city gate, together with Aja and Hari, resembling a mountain lord. There they beheld the city, with mansions of gold adorned with jewels, aerial palaces of various forms, and encircled by ramparts. Seeing the outer city of Śambhu, Hari, together with the gods, Brahmā, and the others, was filled with joy and entered that city. The second city of the God of gods was crowded with mansions and palaces, adorned with lofty towers and four splendid gates. It was covered with networks of diamonds, beryl, rubies, and other jewels, furnished with swinging seats, and adorned with bells and yak-tail fans. The air was filled with the sounds of mṛdaṅgas and murajas, resounding with vīṇās and flutes, and surrounded by groups of dancing apsarases and hosts of spirits. The mansions resembled the palaces of Indra, enchanting to behold. On the pinnacles of these palaces, thousands of city women stood with hands full of flowers, fruits, and rice, showering them upon Hari’s head, just as they do for Bhava. At that moment, the women, seeing Viṣṇu, had eyes rolling from intoxication. Some, with broad hips, immediately began to dance, moving joyfully and singing; seeing Hari, some smiled shyly. Some, with their garments loosened and girdles slipping, sang in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and even the seventh musical modes. Passing beyond the eighth, ninth, and foremost tenth gate, they approached the splendid city of the god Śambhu. This city was perfectly round, exceedingly bright, situated on the auspicious peak of Kailāsa, and adorned with palaces shining like the orb of the sun. It was decorated in all directions with clear crystal pavilions, golden structures, and various jeweled edifices. The gateways of Śambhu, Lord of the guardians, were adorned with many kinds of ornaments, featuring auspicious entrances on all sides, all made of precious gems. The city was surrounded by twenty-eight kinds of ramparts of various forms, with subsidiary and main gates, strong and diverse in every direction. Within were secret chambers, hidden houses, the splendid dwellings of Guha, and other excellent, pearl-studded, enchanting abodes. There were divine shrines of Gaṇeśa made of red gems, sandalwood structures of various forms, and beautiful flower gardens. Ponds and lakes lined with golden steps were everywhere, frequented by swans more graceful than women. Thus, the gods beheld the wondrous, divine city of Śiva, radiant and filled with beauty, as they approached the Lord who frees all from bondage.