When Rudra was thus addressed, he replied to the lord of the gods, “O Lord, I shall become completely purified; for this sin, no other remedy is seen except your grace.” Overwhelmed by the terrible consequences of Brahmin-killing, Rudra confessed, “My body has turned black, the smell of death clings to my limbs, and my ornaments are now of iron.” He asked Janardana, “How is it that I do not become thus in this very form? What should I do, O great god, so that my former body may be restored?” With humility, Rudra continued, “By your grace, it will be so—tell me, Achyuta, how this may come to pass.” Vishnu responded, “The sin of killing a Brahmin is supreme, terrible, and brings all suffering. One should not even conceive of this sin in the mind; by your words, O god, this resolve has now been made clear.” Vishnu then instructed Rudra, “Now, O mighty-armed one, do as Brahma has instructed: rub ashes over your entire body three times a day. Place bones in your topknot, on your ears, and in your hand; doing thus, O Rudra, you will not experience suffering.” Having thus instructed him, the blessed Lord disappeared, departing with Lakshmi, and Rudra did not recognize him. Holding a skull in his hand, Rudra wandered over the earth, accompanied by the mountains Himavat, Mainaka, and Meru. He traversed Kailasa, the entire Vindhya range, the great mountain Nila, as well as the cities of Kanchi, Kashi, Tamralipta, Magadha, and Avila. His journey continued to Vatsagulma, Gokarna, the northern Kurus, Bhadrashva, Ketumala, and the land of Hiranyaka. He visited Kamarupa, Prabhasa, and the great mountain Mahendra; yet, afflicted by the sin of Brahmin-killing, he found no refuge. Ashamed and always seeing the skull in his hand, Rudra repeatedly shook his hands, trying to cast it away. When, despite his efforts, the skull would not fall, understanding dawned in him: “I will undertake this vow.” He thought, “By my very path, O twice-born, all will go everywhere.” Thus, having meditated for a long time, the god wandered the earth. Eventually, Rudra reached Pushkara and entered the supreme forest, filled with various trees and creepers, and crowded with the cries of many animals. The air was scented with the fragrance of tree blossoms, and the earth was adorned with flowers thoughtfully arranged. There were many kinds of fragrant juices and both ripe and unripe fruits; he entered the grove of trees, filled with the scent of blossoms. Rudra resolved, “Here, as I worship with devotion, Brahma will grant me a boon; by Brahma’s grace, the desired knowledge of Pushkara will be attained. It destroys sin, subdues the wicked, and increases nourishment, prosperity, and strength.” Thus, as Rudra of immeasurable brilliance meditated, Brahma, the lotus-born, pleased by Rudra’s devotion, arrived. Raising the bowed Rudra, Brahma spoke, “By your observance of divine vows and offerings, you have worshipped me with great faith and longing for my vision. Those who are steadfast in vows behold me—humans as well as gods; by that wish, I grant the highest boon you desire.” Brahma continued, “Because you have observed this vow for the fulfillment of all desires, with mind, speech, body, and inner self fully satisfied, tell me, O blessed one, what wish you desire—I shall grant it.” Rudra replied, “This very boon, O Lord, is today most sufficient. That you have been seen, O creator of the world, worshipped by all, I bow to you through great sacrifice and long-acquired austerity. By austerity that exhausts the life-breath, O God, you are seen; O Lord of gods, this skull has not fallen from my hand. This practice, O Lord, is a cause of shame among the sages and is considered base; yet, by your grace, this vow of the skull-bearer has been performed. Let this great vow be declared accomplished for the one who has sought refuge; tell me, in what sacred place shall I cast this, by which I may become pure among the sages of purified mind?” Brahma answered, “There is an ancient place of the Lord called Avimukta. There, the holy site Kapālamocana will be for you; I, you, and Vishnu will be present there. There, at your sight, even those who are great sinners enjoy pleasures and become purified in my abode. The two rivers, Varana and Asi, beloved of the gods, flow there; within the field between them, no one destined for death ever enters. That is the foremost of holy places, the foremost of fields for you; from the moment of bodily fall, people serve that field. Those who die there go to heaven in a swan-chariot, free from all fear; a field five kroshas in extent has been given to you by me.” Brahma continued, “When the Ganga will flow to the lord of rivers through the middle of that field, then, O Rudra, that city will become supremely holy. The Ganga, pure and facing north, and Sarasvati flowing eastward; the Jahnavi river flows two yojanas northward. There, indeed, all the gods along with me and Indra will come and dwell; there, release the skull. Those who go to that sacred place and honor their ancestors with offerings of food and rites, their world in heaven is imperishable. A person who bathes at the great sacred site of Varanasi is freed from the sins of seven births; even by visiting, one is liberated.” Thus, through devotion, penance, and divine guidance, Rudra’s journey led to the establishment of the supremely holy site, where liberation and purification are bestowed upon all who seek refuge.