In the sacred month of Pauṣa, devotees would gather together at a revered tirtha, accompanied by their divine companions, to perform holy baths. In that vicinity stood a great and hallowed place known as Śaiva. It was here, during the month of Māgha, that Śambhu—Lord Shiva himself—would appear with his attendants, bestowing his grace upon the assembled. To the southeast, in the direction of fire, lay the auspicious sacred site called Āgneya, famed for bringing good fortune. Even Ananga, the god of love, would assemble there in the month of Phālguna, performing ritual baths with his retinue. In this same direction shone the wondrous Vaiṣṇava tirtha, where, in the month of Caitra, Lord Viṣṇu—the consort of Lakṣmī—would be present, gathering with his devotees. In the direction of Kubera, the lord of wealth, manifested the great Saura sacred site. During the month of Vaiśākha, after ritual bathing at this holy place, worshippers would spend the entire day honoring Atreśa. North of the abodes of Īśa and Brahma was the pure Āśvina tirtha, where the divine twin Aśvins would gather, bathe, and offer worship to Śaṃkara. There was also the sacred site called Pāṇḍava, renowned for granting both worldly desires and liberation. Here, Dhātrī would assemble, bringing all the healing fruits and herbs. When the month of Āṣāḍha arrived, the mighty Viśvedevās would take their leave, and the great Vaiśvadeva tirtha, north of Soma and Sūrya, would be revealed. All around, in the beautiful eastern direction, these sacred places shone forth. To the north, in ancient times, flowed the holy Skanda river, while in the west was found the renowned and auspicious Kumbha river. The sacred Ganga remained at the root, and the Yamuna was established in the sky. Many other holy sites also came into being, filling the land in every direction. By performing severe austerities, a devotee pleased the Lord of Śoṇādri, the red mountain. These celebrated tirthas became manifest, yet they remain difficult to comprehend for those of little wisdom. Indeed, how could humankind on earth ever hope to encounter all these sacred presences in one place? You—whose inner brilliance is hidden—journeyed there with all the gods. And I, having worshipped Śambhu through austerity at the Aruṇa mountain, was blessed with a divine palace crafted by Viśvakarma, resplendent with myriad celebrations. The eminent sages, too, acquired various treatises on dharma, while I, through my devotion to Śambhu, obtained the fruits of sacred offerings made into the fire. In ancient times, kings who had vanquished their foes and won their kingdoms experienced the wondrous and prosperous manifestation of the Shiva-linga in the form of a mountain, which destroys all sin. This manifestation protects those who bow in reverence, and even by remembering it, one is freed from the impurities of the world. But how did peace come to all living beings? How did these sacred places arise from the auspicious Aruṇa mountain? In the Dvāpara yuga, the mountain shone golden; in Kali yuga, it became an emerald peak. In the Krita age, it stretched for many yojanas and blazed with fire. Gradually, at the request of the gods, the illustrious Lord of Aruṇa became peaceful. Then Gaurī asked the sage: “How did Arunachala become peaceful?