O highly fortunate one, you have yourself come to this sacred hermitage of devotees. When these words were spoken by the great sage, who is a knower of all the Vedas, he acknowledged the immense glory that belongs to you—for Lord Śiva himself has blessed you. You are one who has mastered the Āgamas spoken by Śiva and even the Vedas themselves. Śiva once declared, “I abide here by the name Aruṇācala.” And so, I have arrived 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 is a blessing beyond measure. Therefore, I wish to hear the greatness of Aruṇācala from your lips. Upon hearing these words, Gautama, the treasury of austerities, replied, “Whatever is not known, you may ask again and again. Or, through the words of a devotee, by hearing Śiva’s glory, of the Vedas recited, whatever brings the fruit of repetition—today, all the austerities I have performed have become fruitful. By the grace of Śiva and Śivā, this wondrous greatness is revealed. The greatness of Aruṇācala is the cause of the destruction of sin. The liṅga made of Aruṇādri manifested here just as it did in ancient times. Even tens of millions of Brahmas cannot fully describe the greatness of Arunachala. It is worshipped by Indra and the other guardians of the directions for the attainment of the eight siddhis. Celestial birds, divine sages, and accomplished yogis honor it. This Lord Śiva, the master of Arunachala, has been propitiated. Even when praised from afar as Śoṇādri, it bestows liberation. Yogis who meditate upon it in their minds attain union with Śiva. Whatever is attained in the presence of Arunachala becomes imperishable. Long ago, with pride, two contended with each other, each desiring to conquer the other. Then, a form composed of fiery radiance, without beginning, middle, or end, appeared—a pillar of light. Wishing to see the top and bottom of that pillar, they searched in vain. Seeing them with downcast faces, the Lord, ocean of compassion, was moved. Thus entreated, the Lord of the gods assumed the form of an immovable liṅga. Divine drums resounded, and apsaras sang and danced in celebration. Even among the Brahmas of ages past, the Lord was supreme over the ninety-six. Once, desiring to cause an obstacle to the yogis’ austerities, a beautiful maiden appeared, endowed with virtues and lotus-like eyes. Brahma, the lotus-seated one, wished to touch her. As Prajapati performed circumambulation of her with devotion, that young girl transformed into a bird and soared into the sky. Seeking refuge, she took shelter on this very Śoṇa mountain. She cried, “Protect me, O Lord of Aruṇādri, refuge of those who seek sanctuary!” From the liṅga among the immovable beings, a certain hunter bearing a bow appeared. When the hunter was seen before him, his delusion was destroyed. Then he bowed to the Lord of Śoṇa mountain, the giver of refuge, honoring the supreme sanctuary that is Aruṇācala.