With eyes wide in wonder, the great devotees of Śiva gazed upon the sacred landscape, their hearts full of reverence. Among them was Vālī, the illustrious son of Indra, who stood upon the summit of the rising mountain. From this lofty vantage, he beheld the radiant Mount Aruṇa at the center of all, a mountain worshipped by the very gods themselves. At his father Indra’s urging, Vālī approached the revered Mount Śoṇa. Meanwhile, Nala, after offering due worship, cherished the women he himself had created—those beloved by men. Ila, too, entered suddenly into this sacred realm, remaining steadfast and unbroken, like the untouched forest of Gauri. Guided by the sage Vasiṣṭha, Ila performed the proper worship at the Śoṇa mountain. Later, with devotion and under Soma’s guidance, he remembered the holy Aruṇa mountain, and by this remembrance, he attained the highest state—a state even the immortals find difficult to reach. Yet, in another birth among deer, he did not obtain liberation through yoga. Once more, instructed by the sage Bhṛgu, he worshipped the Śoṇa mountain. In this sacred region, the divine presences of Sarasvatī, Sāvitrī, Śrī, Bhūmi, and the holy rivers are manifest. In the eastern direction shines Bhāskara, the Sun, while Viśvāmitra presides in the south. The boundaries of this land are marked upon the mountains, each at a distance of two yojanas, and at their ends dwells the lord of the Śoṇa mountain. On the northern peak of this holy mountain stands a great banyan tree, whose vast, circular shadow is ever-present. Around it are eight sacred liṅgas, each worshipped by the guardians of the eight directions. Kings devoted to Śambhu, who follow the commands of Śaṅkara, are also found in this sanctified place. Nearby grows the great bakula tree, which continually grants the fruits of all desires. In ages past, Agastya and Vasiṣṭha, after performing worship, approached the Aruṇa mountain. The river Śoṇa, which flows here with pure waters, was in ancient times the son of Hiraṇyagarbha. This sacred river graces the land, and in the northwestern direction the holy place of Vayu shines forth. To the north of this mountain lies a radiant sacred place, aglow with golden lotuses. Further to the northeast is the Kubera Tīrtha, an excellent and auspicious holy site. In the western part, Lord Viṣṇu, lotus-eyed, is present. It was here, long ago, that the nine planets, after bathing in these waters, attained their appointed stations in the heavens. The divine presences of Durgā, Vināyaka, Skanda, Kṣetrapāla, and Sarasvatī abide here, as do the sacred rivers—Gaṅgā, Yamunā, Godāvarī, and Sarasvatī—who remain hidden, continually dwelling in the eastern and other directions. Many other divine and earthly rivers, with auspicious waters, are also present. In the southern part of this sacred land, the great holy place of Agastya is renowned. Here, Agastya himself came to bathe, accompanied by groups of sages. In the northern part lies the divine and auspiciously rising Vasiṣṭha Tīrtha, where, at Meru, the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha gathered. To the northeast is the great holy place called Gaṅgā, where, in the month of Kārtika, all the rivers—beginning with Gaṅgā—assemble in sacred confluence. Near the lord of Aruṇa mountain is the holy place known as Brahmya. And in the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, the Grandfather Brahmā himself descends from Brahmaloka to join in the sanctity of this gathering. Thus, this sacred region, blessed by gods, sages, rivers, and holy presences, is a place of profound holiness, where worship and remembrance lead seekers to the highest states, and the divine is ever near.