After performing devoted worship to Mount Aruṇa, the lord of the gods, Indra, became completely purified of all sin. Freed from his burdens, he regained his rightful place as king of the heavens, Śakra, and was joyfully surrounded by a hundred radiant Apsarases. In celebration, he commanded the clouds of flowers to pour forth celestial rains of blossoms, filling the heavens with fragrance and beauty. At that time, Śeṣa, the great serpent, following the command of Lord Śiva, also offered worship to the presiding deity of Mount Śoṇa. Inspired by their example, other Nāgas, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and hosts of Apsarases likewise gathered, their minds intent on worship. All the gods, eager to subdue the Daityas and other foes, prepared themselves for sacrifice. O shining one, you were fashioned by the divine artisan Tvaṣṭṛ, resplendent with the brilliance of the sun. Yet even such radiance could not prevent weariness—the chariot-horses, exhausted and deprived of strength, could go no further. The bearers of rays, garlanded with light, found themselves unable to ascend to the high heavens. Out of compassion, the Lord graciously granted a new path in the sky and auspicious horses, restoring their journey. Truly, who can fathom the power of right-handed circumambulation—what can it not accomplish? By worshipping Mount Aruṇa, those beings obtained new limbs. One among them, by serving Mount Śoṇa, gained both a nose and the power of speech. Another, after the flow of earth-gifts given by Bali was obstructed, attained a pure eye while dwelling on the mountain called Bhāskara. In those days, there was a king named Pratardana who sought to win a divine maiden. Prompted by his ministers, the king’s face suddenly took on the form of a monkey. Yet by the grace of Lord Aruṇa, his visage was restored to beauty. Even so, in the presence of the lord of Aruṇācala, he remained weak in knowledge. At that time, the attendants of the Gandharvas saw Vyāghramukha, and, O Nārada, as foretold, the result of his own disrespect befell him. This land of Śiva, sacred and renowned everywhere, extends two yojanas in every direction. Long ago, the Seven Sages of earth were afflicted by the burden of a curse. The illustrious Lord granted them release, freeing the great-souled sages from their suffering. Near Śoṇācala, there is a holy and auspicious place. There, someone, carrying a desired object hidden in a wooden vessel, placed it—being thirsty—in the sacred waters at the ford. Upon reaching Śoṇācala, the one with the wooden vessel found his footing and returned to his own abode. Taking the vessel himself and beholding its contents, he bowed reverently to Mount Aruṇa. With eyes wide in wonder, the great devotees of Śiva gazed upon the marvel. Vālī, the illustrious son of Indra, from the peak of the rising mountain, beheld Mount Aruṇa at the center, worshipped by the gods. Urged by his father Indra, he too approached Mount Śoṇa. Nala, after first worshipping, cherished those women whom he himself had created and who were dear to men. Ila, entering suddenly, remained steadfast and unbroken, like the forest of Gauri. Instructed by sage Vasiṣṭha, Ila duly worshipped the Śoṇa mountain. Then, by Soma’s guidance and with deep devotion, he remembered Mount Aruṇa. Through this devotion, Ila attained the highest state—a state even the immortals cannot easily reach. Yet, though he was born among deer, he did not attain liberation through yoga. Thus, the power and sanctity of Mount Aruṇa and Śoṇa are revealed, their worship bringing miraculous transformations, blessings, and liberation to gods, sages, and kings alike.