O venerable one, we have always honored the highest purpose, discerning what is most worthy. O goddess, if nothing truly belongs to you, then only your wondrous play of illusion remains—your māyā, which is beyond comprehension. Permit me, then, to speak of this astonishing play, your divine illusion, which surpasses all else. Please, O pure one, be seated upon this seat made of sacred kusa grass, sanctified and clean. At this, the disciples brought forth the supreme seat, cushioned with darbha grass, and all the rites of worship were performed, imbued with deep devotion. The sage’s face shone, radiant as if bathed in the moonlight of his own teeth, as he spoke. He praised the greatness of Lord Shambhu, whose brilliance is boundless and incomparable. “What remains unattained for you, O goddess? Is there anything else you desire?” he asked. “Tell us, then, of Mount Kailāsa, where you performed austerities on the banks of the sacred Kampa river. O supremely fortunate one, you yourself have come to this hermitage of devoted souls.” Hearing these words from the great sage, a knower of all the Vedas, the goddess replied: “This immense glory belongs to you, for Lord Śiva himself has said, ‘I abide here by the name Aruṇācala.’ I have come here to perform austerities in the presence of Aruṇācala. To converse with a devotee of Śiva, and to hear the chanting of Śiva’s names—such is my wish. Therefore, let me hear of this greatness from your lips.” Thus addressed, Gautama, the treasury of austerities, responded: “Whatever is not known to you, you may ask again and again. The hearing of Śiva’s glory through the words of a devotee, or the recitation of the Vedas, brings the highest fruit. Today, all my austerities have become fruitful, by the grace of Śiva and Śivā. The wondrous greatness of Aruṇācala is such that it destroys all sin. The liṅga formed from Aruṇādri manifested as it did in ancient times. Even if tens of millions of Brahmas tried, they could not fully describe the greatness of Aruṇācala.” He continued: “Indra and the other guardians of the directions worship it for the attainment of the eight siddhis. It is honored by celestial birds, divine sages, and accomplished yogis. Lord Śiva, the master of Aruṇācala, has been propitiated here. Even those who praise it from afar as Śonādri are granted liberation. Yogis who meditate upon it in their hearts attain union with Śiva. Whatever is attained in the presence of Aruṇācala becomes imperishable.” He recounted how, in ages past, there was a contest of pride, each desiring to surpass the other. Then a form of fiery radiance, without beginning, middle, or end, appeared as a pillar of light. Wishing to see the top and bottom of this pillar, they searched in vain. Seeing them humbled, the Lord, ocean of compassion, was entreated. He then assumed the form of an immovable liṅga. As this occurred, the air was filled with the sounds of divine drums, with singing and dancing by the apsaras. Even among all the Brahmas of ages past, the Lord was supreme over the ninety-six. Thus is the greatness of Aruṇācala and the glory of Lord Śiva, the Lord of all.