Listen, O King, to the tale that unfolds in Avimukta, a place of profound sanctity. It is said that even the most sinful soul, if they die in Avimukta, escapes the torments of hell; yet any sin committed there becomes immovable, fixed like a thunderbolt. Because of such a sin—firm and unyielding as a thunderbolt—my own birth, the demon recounted, became demonic. I was cast into a fierce, exceedingly cruel, sinful existence amid the snowy mountains. Through the ages, I wandered in many forms: twice born in the lineage of vultures, previously thrice as a tiger, twice as a serpent, once as an owl, and thereafter as a wild boar. This, O radiant lady, is now my tenth birth as a rakshasa; thousands of years have passed in these cycles of existence. O gentle one, there is no remedy for me from this vast ocean of sorrow. Here, O beautiful-browed one, I have made three yojanas devoid of living beings. I have destroyed countless innocent creatures; because of that deed, my mind is constantly tormented. Yet, O beautiful-browed one, my mind, now sprinkled with the nectar of seeing you, has found coolness. A holy place yields fruit in time, but the company of the virtuous does so immediately. Therefore, the wise praise association with the virtuous, O beautiful-browed one. All this sorrow within my heart I have revealed to you. Rare is the virtuous person whose own self is not afflicted; you know what is proper here, so I will say nothing further. Thinking, “How can I cross this ocean of sorrow?”—the company of the virtuous is the true support and sustenance for all. Just as the ocean of milk gives its water to the swan, not to the crane, so too does virtue favor the worthy. Dattatreya said: Hearing these words, their hearts were softened with compassion. Kāñcanamālinī, setting her mind on the gift of righteousness, sang: “I will make amends—protect me now, do not grieve. Having made a firm vow, I will strive for your liberation; for many Māgha observances have been performed by me each year, as prescribed. With faith, O blessed one, I have performed them in the sacred fields of Brahmā, both white and black. I will tell you the count of that merit, O Rākṣasa. Wise people have said that righteousness should be practiced in secret; sages who know the Vedas praise giving to those in distress. O blessed one, when it rains into the ocean, what fruit does the cloud gain? I myself have experienced the fruit born of that merit, O Rākṣasa. That merit I will give to you, friend, which instantly destroys sin.” Then, wringing out a cloth, she placed water in the lotus of her hand. She gave that Māgha-born merit to the aged Rākṣasa. Listen, O king, to the wondrous power arising from the observance of Māgha. Then, having obtained that merit, the Rākṣasa’s body was freed; a divine form appeared, radiant like the image of the sun. Mounted on the path of the gods, his eyes blossoming with joy, he shone in the sky, illuminating the directions with his radiance. Wearing a divine form, he shone like a second sun; then he joyfully praised Kāñcanamālinī among the virtuous. “O blessed one, the Lord, the giver of the fruits of actions, knows all; all that you have done for me—there is no atonement left for me. Now, out of compassion, be gracious and grant me your favor; instruct me, O goddess, in all the auspicious ways of righteousness. Teach me to perform all duties so that I never commit sin; having heard that from you and with your permission, I will later go to the abode of the gods.” Dattatreya said: Hearing these dear, righteous words spoken by him, Kāñcanamālinī, overjoyed, spoke of righteousness, O king. She said: “Always follow righteousness, abandon harming living beings, serve the virtuous, conquer the enemy called desire; quickly give up speaking of others’ faults and virtues, speak the truth, worship Hari, and go to the world of the gods. Abandon attachment to your body made of bones, flesh, and blood; always renounce possessiveness toward wife, children, and others; see this world as ever fleeting, delight in the taste of detachment, and be steadfast in yoga. Out of affection I have told you the path of righteousness; fix your mind wholly upon it, be endowed with good conduct; abandoning the Rākṣasa body, having taken a divine form of light, go swiftly and happily to heaven.” Hearing her righteous words, the delighted and contented demon said: “May you always be joyful, and may well-being ever be yours. Dwell on Kailāsa in the presence of Śiva as long as the moon and sun endure; may your love with Umā remain unbroken, O one of excellent complexion. O mother, always be steadfast in righteousness and austerity; let there be no greed in your body, and may you always remove the suffering of those in distress.” Having spoken thus, he bowed to the virtuous lady adorned with gold, and the demon departed to heaven, praised by many Gandharvas. Then the celestial maidens arrived and showered a rain of flowers, overwhelmed with joy, upon the head of that golden-garlanded one. Embracing her, the maidens spoke affectionate words: “O blessed one, you have performed a wondrous deed in liberating the demon. Because of fear of that wicked one, no one would enter this forest; now, we may roam here without fear, as we please.” Hearing those words, O King, Kāñcanamālinī was gladdened by her own act of charity and felt fulfilled at that moment. Having swiftly released that demon, the best among the Gandharva maidens, Kāñcanamālinī, joyfully went to the abode of Hara, her heart full from her act of kindness. Whoever, with devotion, hears this conversation spoken by the noble maiden, is never troubled by demons and his mind becomes firmly established in righteousness. At another time, Pārvatī spoke: “On this island, what are the sacred places? Tell me, O virtuous one. This is the king of islands, always established on earth. Out of kindness to me, Master, tell me their number.” Mahādeva replied: “He is all-pervading and should be seen in all beings, everywhere on earth; whatever is seen in the seven worlds, moving or unmoving.