Once, the great protector spoke, recalling how he had been appointed to safeguard the world, yet had been enveloped in illusion by the wondrous Māyā of the Lord. He wondered aloud, “O Hara, O Śambhu, what am I to do, when the weight of the world’s burden has now been placed upon you?” He saw the distress and remorse of Hari—Lord Viṣṇu—and was moved to compassion. Out of this deep empathy, he chose to remain upon the earth in the sacred form of Aruṇācala, the immovable mountain. Long ago, at this very place, he had granted a boon to the former Viṣṇu: to manifest this radiant, tranquil form for the protection of all the worlds. This mountain, Aruṇācala, became a sanctuary—not only for rivers, waterfalls, and the waters released from the clouds, but for all beings. To the blind, it granted sight; to the lame, it restored movement to their feet. It bestowed all accomplishments and freed devotees from every disease. Having spoken these words, Śambhu vanished from sight, and Hari too merged into the presence of Aruṇācala. The mountain stood surrounded by gods who dwelled in its forests, while the Vedas, with their limbs and the Upaniṣads, seemed to take form all around, embodying sacred knowledge in every direction. At this wondrous place, a hundred divine forms came into being—a lineage of celestial Apsarases was created. Viṣṇu, the lotus-eyed, bathed in the sacred Brahma-lake at Aruṇācala. Cleansed of all sin, he attained lordship over the worlds. Even Bhāskara, the radiant Sun, who had been afflicted by the Asuras, immersed himself in the pure, holy ford created by Brahmā. By the power of this place, he gained victory over all the Daityas and joyously circumambulated Mount Meru. Soma, the moon god, scorched by the fire of Dakṣa’s curse, was restored by the power of Śiva’s words. Agni, the fire god, tormented by the disease of consumption due to a Brahmarṣi’s curse, found relief here as well. Indra, king of the gods, had slain mighty foes—Vṛtra, Bala, Pāka, Namuci, and Jṛmbha. Yet, burdened by the sins of these battles, he was diminished and fled to the ends of the worlds. But after worshipping Mount Aruṇa, Indra was freed from all sin. Regaining his rightful place as Śakra, lord of the gods, he was surrounded by a hundred Apsarases, and he commanded the clouds to shower divine blossoms in celebration. Śeṣa, at Śiva’s command, also worshipped the lord of Mount Śoṇa. The Nāgas, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and all the hosts of Apsarases joined in this worship. All the gods, eager to subdue the Daityas and others, prepared themselves for sacrifice. O shining one, you were fashioned by Tvaṣṭṛ, radiant with the brilliance of the sun. Yet, even the chariot-horses, exhausted and deprived of strength, could go no further. The bearers of rays, garlanded with light, could not ascend to the heavens. Out of compassion, the Lord granted a path in the sky and auspicious horses to carry them onward. Indeed, what can one not achieve by performing circumambulations to the right of Aruṇācala? By worshipping this sacred mountain, the gods and seekers obtained new limbs. One even gained a nose and speech by serving Mount Śoṇa. When the streams of earth-gifts given by Bali were obstructed, a pure-souled one obtained an eye while dwelling on the mountain called Bhāskara. A king named Pratardana, desiring to win a divine maiden, was suddenly transformed—by the prompting of his ministers—into one with the face of a monkey. Yet, by the grace of Lord Aruṇa, he regained a beautiful human face. In the presence of the lord of Aruṇācala, the king found himself weak in knowledge. Then, as Vyāghramukha appeared, the attendants of the Gandharvas gathered, bearing witness to the continuing marvels at the sacred mountain.