O Mother, remain ever steadfast in righteousness and austerity—let no trace of greed dwell within you, and may you always strive to relieve the suffering of those in distress. With these gentle words, the demon bowed respectfully to the virtuous lady, who was adorned with shining gold. Then, his task complete, the demon departed for heaven, his departure praised by many Gandharvas. As the air cleared, celestial maidens appeared, their hearts overflowing with joy. They showered a rain of fragrant flowers upon the head of the golden-garlanded lady. Embracing her lovingly, they spoke with deep affection: “O blessed one, you have accomplished a wondrous deed in liberating the demon from his bondage. Because of fear of that wicked being, none dared enter this forest; but now, thanks to you, we may roam here freely and without fear, as we wish.” Hearing these words, O King, Kāñcanamālinī felt her heart swell with happiness at her own act of charity. In that moment, she was truly fulfilled. Having swiftly released the demon, Kāñcanamālinī, the best among the Gandharva maidens, joyfully made her way to the abode of Hara, her heart content from her deed of kindness. Whoever, with devotion, listens to this conversation spoken by the noble maiden will never be troubled by demons, and his mind will be firmly established in righteousness. Later, on that sacred island, Pārvatī approached Mahādeva with gentle curiosity. “O virtuous one,” she asked, “what are the sacred places upon this island? This land is the king of islands, ever established upon the earth. Out of kindness for me, Master, tell me their number and their names.” Mahādeva replied with reverence, “He is all-pervading and should be seen in all beings, everywhere on earth—whatever exists in the seven worlds, moving or unmoving, is pervaded by that principle. Without that essence, 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, without any doubt. First is Puṣkara, the most excellent and auspicious of holy 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 among 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 called Gautama, established long ago on Mandara. The ninth is Madotkaṭa, the tenth is Rathacaitraka, and the eleventh is Kānyakubja, where Vāmana dwells. “The twelfth is Malaya, then Kubjāmraka; after that come Viśveśvara, Girikarṇa, and Kedāra, the giver of liberation. Bāhya on the back of the Himalaya, Gokarṇa, and 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. “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. “Mahālaya at Mahāpadma; Piṅgaleśvara at Payoṣṇī; at Siṃhikā, the holy place called Sauravera. Kārtika at the field of Kṛttikā; Śaṃkara on the mountain of Śaṃkara; then the divine Utpalākhya, and Subhadrā at the confluence of the Sindhu. “Gāṇapatya after that, and the mountain named after Viṣṇu; at Jālaṃdhara, the holy place called Viṣṇumukha is mentioned. At Tāra, Tāraka is mentioned; on the mountain named after Viṣṇu; in the Devadāru forest, Pauṇḍra and Pauṣka in the region of Kashmir. “Earthly snow on the Himalaya, the Tustika and Paustika; the Kapalamocana sacred place arose in Mayapura as well. Then the Shankoddhara, and the god Shankadharaka; in Pinda, the one named Pinda, and in Siddha, the Vaikhanasa is found. “In Acchoda, the Vishnu-kama, which grants dharma, desire, wealth, and liberation; medicinal water on the northern bank, and in Kushadvipa, the Kushodaka. Manmatha in Hemakuta, Kumuda with Satyavada; they speak of Avashvaka as a sacred place, and in Vindhya, Matrika is remembered. “In Citta, the Brahmamaya sacred place, regarded as the purifier of holy sites. Listen, O beautiful one, to the best among all these sacred places: the sacred place composed of Viṣṇu’s name has never existed nor will it exist—whether a killer of a Brahmin, a thief of gold, a slayer of children, or a killer of cows, all find purification here.” Thus did Mahādeva reveal to Pārvatī the countless sacred places, each one sanctified by the presence of the divine, and each a source of liberation and peace for all who seek them.