Just as the many forms of fire arise from the coming together of place, time, and action, so too did the seekers approach the divine. Filled with compassion, they addressed Śaṃkara, saying, “O Lord, show us your true form.” With faith and devotion, they bowed low before him, their hearts united in longing. Moved by their sincerity, the Lord manifested before them. From within a pillar of radiant light, he appeared, adorned with the crescent moon upon his brow. In one hand, he held a battle-axe; in the other, a young deer. His presence was both fearsome and gentle, granting fearlessness and repose to those before him. He spoke, his voice filled with grace: “I am pleased with your devotion, for you have both joined your minds in me. For the fulfillment of your wishes, I have manifested myself here.” Hearing these words, the devotees were filled with delight and reverence, joining their palms and bowing deeply. The Lord continued, “Though I appear childlike, by means of mantras I am the creator of the three worlds.” With profound humility, the devotees responded, “We bow to this form, the eternal Lord, the bestower of all boons. Your radiance fills the expanse of the sky.” As the Lord’s brilliance shone forth, the Siddhas, Charanas, Gandharvas, gods, and supreme sages all gathered, witnessing the wonder. Even the earth itself seemed scorched by his immense energy. Then the Lord gathered his radiance into a single point, which became known as Aruna Mountain. This form, resplendent with light, was revered as the sacred Aruna Mountain. All the worlds, along with the Siddhas and supreme sages, served him there. Around this mountain, divine groves blossomed, filled with celestial trees like the wish-fulfilling Kalpaka and others. All manner of divine herbs and animals—lions and more—inhabited these groves, moving together in harmony, undivided by any paths. The air resounded with the music of celestial drums and conches, and showers of fragrant flowers rained down from the heavens. Here, immortality, perfection, mastery of essences, and bliss were granted. Lordship, control, good fortune, and even mastery over time itself became possible. By the Lord’s grace, all limbs were made whole, and diseases were destroyed. Thus, bestowing boons, Shiva, the lord of Aruna Mountain, shone in his glory. The devotees prayed, “Be gracious, O Lord of Shona Mountain, full of compassion. Whenever I take refuge in you, O protector of the world, you shield me. Yet your great and wondrous form is not easily worshipped by those with little merit.” They expressed their devotion through circumambulations, salutations, dances, songs, and acts of worship; through fasting, vows, rituals, offerings, and sacred observances; by creating gardens, pavilions, and wells, all purified according to prescribed rites. Even when prosperity was lost, they continued to circumambulate with their own bodies, never abandoning the Lord’s lotus feet, birth after birth. Pleased, the moon-crested Lord said, “So be it,” and granted Viṣṇu his desired boon. He declared, “This fiery liṅga is indeed the sole cause of all the worlds. At the end of the age, when the four oceans are agitated and torrents as vast as elephants fill the three worlds, when the dissolution of beings has begun and nature returns to its original state, and when I summon creation again after the interval of dissolution—all forms of knowledge, arts, and the wealth of scriptures, which the sages of renowned vows have preserved in caves and mountain hollows—are restored through my grace.” Thus, the Lord’s presence sanctified Aruna Mountain, and all beings, from the highest gods to the sages, found their refuge and fulfillment in him.