When Parvati, innocent and pure of heart, acted without reflection, her deed brought about the destruction of the worlds. Śambhu, the Lord Shiva, then declared, “At the time of dissolution, I too shall withdraw all the worlds. Who else but someone like you would perform such a blameworthy act?” Hearing these words from Shiva, the goddess became anxious, fearing the loss of righteousness. Yet, the Lord, whose mind was soon appeased and who is the very treasure of compassion, spoke gently to her: “What atonement could possibly be prescribed for you, who are my very own form? The Vedas, the Smṛtis, rituals, sciences, and the wise—all are not different from you, the revered goddess who desires to create the worlds. Therefore, your atonement will be prescribed according to the nature of the worlds themselves. If the master is not to be obeyed, then his dependents should abandon him. But I alone, abiding in myself, shall perform all the austerities. By the touch of your lotus feet, and even by the sight of your penance, the worlds are purified. For the sake of your preeminence in the field of action, perform virtuous deeds. Let your mind be firmly fixed in righteousness—of this there is no doubt. O goddess, you alone are declared by the eternal Vedas to be all this. You fill the earth with divinity, making it appear as heaven itself. All the gods and sages constantly desire to dwell where you reside. For mortals who live there, millions of sins tremble and flee. That place is abundant with cool, full shade, with flowers, fruits, and tender shoots, and hosts of various kinds—Dakinis and groups of yoginis. And I too, becoming without parts, dwell in the lotus of your mind.” Thus addressed by the Lord of gods, the goddess Parvati went to the river Kampa. This pure river, much frequented by hosts of sages, was filled with fruits and flowers and resounded with the calls of cuckoos. Parvati, her body surrounded by the fire of desire, became emaciated through austerity. Her body was afflicted by longing and sorrow, distressed by separation from Shiva, the enemy of the cities. Day and night, she worshipped the Lord with austerities that remove sin, even by herself. How, indeed, could separation from Shiva be endured when the mind is greatly agitated by the god of love? To console herself, Parvati recited hundreds of hymns and meditated on visions of Shiva. She had always been inseparable from the god Shambhu. Now, she wished to reveal her own power of illusion. Having received Shiva’s command, Parvati approached the place of austerity devised by the Lord. For otherwise, the protection of the world depended upon her, the embodiment of the universe. Meditating on the absolute, undivided Shiva, she established him within herself. The conduct of her foremost devotees was indeed a collection of her own practices. Hearing Shiva’s words, Gauri became steadfast in mind. She removed her various ornaments and adorned herself with clusters of rudraksha beads. With her locks, she quickly fashioned her hair into a matted form. Finding satisfaction among the deer, she lived by gleaning, embracing the life of austerity.