Wearing a divine form radiant as a second sun, the being approached Kāñcanamālinī, his heart filled with joy and reverence for her among the virtuous. With deep humility, he addressed her, “O blessed one, the Lord—the giver of the fruits of all actions—knows everything. All that you have done for me is known to Him; I have no further atonement left to perform. Now, moved by compassion, please be gracious to me. Grant me your favor and instruct me, O goddess, in all the auspicious ways of righteousness. Teach me how to perform my duties so that I never fall into sin. Having learned from you, and with your permission, I shall later set forth for the abode of the gods.” Dattatreya, the sage, then narrated: Hearing these sincere and righteous words, Kāñcanamālinī was filled with joy. Gladdened, she began to speak about the path of righteousness. “Always follow the path of righteousness,” she instructed. “Abandon all harm toward living beings, serve the virtuous, and conquer the enemy called desire. Quickly give up speaking of others’ faults and virtues; speak only the truth, worship Hari, and you will attain the world of the gods. Let go of attachment to your body, which is but bones, flesh, and blood. Renounce possessiveness toward wife, children, and others. See the world as fleeting, delight in the taste of detachment, and be steadfast in yoga.” She continued, “Out of affection, I have revealed to you the path of righteousness. Fix your mind upon it and be adorned with good conduct. Abandoning the Rākṣasa body, take on a divine form of light, and go swiftly and joyfully to heaven.” Hearing her righteous words, the demon was delighted and content. He replied, “May you always be joyful, and may well-being ever be yours. Dwell on Mount Kailāsa in the presence of Śiva for as long as the sun and moon endure. May your love with Umā be unbroken, O one of excellent complexion. O mother, always remain steadfast in righteousness and austerity. Let there be no greed within you, and may you always bring relief to those in distress.” Having spoken thus, he bowed to the virtuous lady adorned with golden ornaments and departed for heaven, praised by many Gandharvas for his transformation and liberation. Then, celestial maidens arrived, overwhelmed with joy, and showered a rain of flowers upon the head of Kāñcanamālinī, the golden-garlanded one. Embracing her, they spoke with affection: “O blessed one, you have performed a wondrous deed in liberating this demon. Because of fear of that wicked one, no one would enter this forest. Now, thanks to you, we may roam here freely, without fear.” Hearing these words, Kāñcanamālinī was filled with happiness and satisfaction at her own act of charity. Her heart fulfilled, she rejoiced in the moment. Having swiftly released the demon, Kāñcanamālinī, the best among the Gandharva maidens, joyfully went to the abode of Hara, her heart overflowing with the joy of her compassionate deed. It is said that whoever, with devotion, hears this conversation spoken by the noble maiden will never be troubled by demons, and their mind will become firmly established in righteousness. On another occasion, Pārvatī, the divine mother, 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 how many sacred places there are.” 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. First is Puṣkara, the most excellent and auspicious of all 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. There is 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, and Bhadra at Bhadreśvara as well; at Vārāha, Vijaya is mentioned, and Vaiṣṇava on the Vaiṣṇava mountain. There is Raudra at Rudrakoṭi, Paitrya at Kālijara mountain; at Kaṃpila, the Kapila holy place, and at Mukuṭa, also Karkoṭaka. The holy place born at Śālagrāma, at Gallikā, Sureśvarī; at Narmadā, the one called Śiva, and at Māyā, Viśvarūpaka. Utpalākṣa and Sahasrākṣa arose on the Raivata mountain; at Gaṅgā, the Pitṛtīrtha, and also the one born from Viṣṇu’s foot. At Vipāśā, Vipāpā; at Pāṭala, Puṇḍravardhana; Nārāyaṇa at Supārśva, and the Viṣṇu temple at Trikūṭa. At Vipula, the one called Vipula; Kalyāṇa at Malayācala; Kaurava at Koṭitīrtha, Sugandha at Gandhamādana. At Kubjāmraka, Trisaṃdhya; at Gaṅgādvāra, dear to Hari; at the Vindhya region, Śaila; at Badarī, Sārasvata is remembered. At Kālidyā, Kālarūpa; at Sahya, Sāyaka is remembered; at Caṃdra, in the region of the moon, Ramaṇa, the chief of holy places. At Yamunā, Mṛgākhya; at Karavīra, born of the Kurus; at Vināyaka mountain, the holy place called Umā. Ārogya in the land of Bhāskara; Maheśvara at Mahākāla; the holy place named Abhayada, called Amṛta, on the Vindhya slope. Viśvarūpa at Maṇḍapa; Svāhākhya in the city of Īśvara; Vaigaleya at Pracaṇḍā, Caṇḍika at Marakaṇṭaka. Someśvara at the holy place, and at Prabhāsa, Puṣkara; Devamātra on the Sarasvatī, situated on the bank of Pārāvata. Thus, Mahādeva revealed to Pārvatī the multitude of sacred places established upon the earth, each sanctified by the presence of the divine, and each a gateway for the devoted to attain merit, purification, and liberation.