The ocean of milk, Dattatreya explained, gives its water to the swan but not to the crane, hinting at the subtle discrimination of grace. Hearing his words, the hearts of those present were softened with compassion. Kāñcanamālinī, her mind firmly set upon the gift of righteousness, sang out: “I will make amends—protect me now, do not grieve.” She vowed with determination, promising to strive for the liberation of the aged Rākṣasa. Each year, she had faithfully performed Māgha observances as prescribed, in the sacred fields of Brahmā—both white and black. She offered to recount the merit she had accumulated to the Rākṣasa, saying, “Wise people have said that righteousness should be practiced in secret; sages who know the Vedas praise giving to those in distress.” She continued, “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.” With compassion, Kāñcanamālinī declared she would give that merit to him—a merit which instantly destroys sin. Then, wringing out a cloth, she placed water in the lotus of her hand and transferred her Māgha-born merit to the aged Rākṣasa. Dattatreya urged the king to listen to the wondrous power arising from the observance of Māgha. As soon as the Rākṣasa received that merit, his demonic body was freed. In its place, a divine form appeared, radiant like the image of the sun. Mounted upon the path of the gods, his eyes blossomed with joy, and he shone in the sky, illuminating the directions with his radiance. Wearing his divine form, he shone like a second sun, and joyfully praised Kāñcanamālinī among the virtuous. He said, “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 narrated that Kāñcanamālinī, overjoyed by the demon’s righteous words, spoke of righteousness: “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 replied, “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 departed to heaven, praised by many Gandharvas. Then, celestial maidens arrived, showering a rain of flowers upon the head of Kāñcanamālinī, overwhelmed with joy. Embracing her, they 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 their words, Kāñcanamālinī was gladdened by her own act of charity and felt fulfilled at that moment. Having swiftly released the demon, the best among the Gandharva maidens, Kāñcanamālinī, joyfully went to the abode of Hara, her heart full from her act of kindness. Dattatreya concluded, “Whoever, with devotion, hears this conversation spoken by the noble maiden, is never troubled by demons and his mind becomes firmly established in righteousness.” Later, Pārvatī asked Mahādeva, “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. Without that principle, O goddess, I have neither seen nor heard anything; therefore, Viṣṇu, the great god, Keśava, the remover of suffering, abides here in the form of sacred places, O queen of the gods. Now I shall tell you of those sacred places; there is no doubt in this.” He began to enumerate them: “First is Puṣkara, the most excellent and auspicious of the sacred fields; second is Vārāṇasī, the field that bestows liberation. The third is Naimiṣa, remembered as the purifier of sages; the fourth is Prayāga, regarded as the best of sacred places. The fifth is Kārmuka, said to have arisen in Gandhamādana; the sixth is Kānyakubja, where Vāmana resides. The seventh is Viśvakāya, on a beautiful mountain below; the eighth is Gautama, established long ago on Mandara. The ninth is Madotkaṭa, the tenth is Rathacaitraka; the eleventh is Kānyakubja, where Vāmana dwells. The twelfth is Malaya, then Kubjāmraka; after that, Viśveśvara, Girikarṇa, and Kedāra, the giver of liberation. Bāhya on the back of the Himalaya, Gokarṇa, and also Gopaka; Sthāneśvara in the Himalaya, and Bilvaka with Bilvapatrika. Śrīśaila, the holy place of Mādhava, Bhadra at Bhadreśvara as well; at Vārāha, Vijaya is mentioned, and Vaiṣṇava on the Vaiṣṇava mountain. Raudra at Rudrakoṭi, Paitrya at Kālijara mountain; at Kaṃpila, the Kapila holy place, and at Mukuṭa, also Karkoṭaka.” Thus, Mahādeva revealed to Pārvatī the names and greatness of the sacred places, each sanctified by the presence of the divine, and each offering its own unique blessings to those who seek them with devotion.