I have never come across a single liṅga shaped like a mountain anywhere on earth. O Lord of the gods, your vast and wondrous form shines forth as the very embodiment of the three deities. Yet here, I have beheld your marvelous liṅga, whose essence is woven from the three Vedas and whose form is triangular in shape. This sacred liṅga appears upon a certain part of the earth, famed as the Śoṇādri mountain. You, ocean of compassion, bestow all enjoyments upon beings under various pretexts. Indeed, when this liṅga is worshipped by the gods, it is known to grant all boons without fail. Now, terrified by the endless cycle of worldly existence, I have come to you for refuge, O lover of devotees—please rescue me! O ocean of mercy and shelter of all, I beseech you: fulfill my purpose, for I have surrendered myself to you. Moved by my plea, he revealed to me his supreme and divine form, saying, “Behold!” And then he spoke: “May your abode always remain here, close to me. Through your austerities, display here the greatness of all penances. Worship upon the Śoṇādri mountain, this sacred part of the earth, as I command. With constant devotion and prescribed rituals, reveal this worship upon the earth. Offer to me the worship due, with offerings and ceremonies as set forth in the scriptures, and with a devoted heart. Let the earthly liṅga be revealed by you on the very surface of the earth. I am established in this portion of the earth and am truly very pleased with you. Among all, you are foremost on earth—now reveal the worship of Śiva.” With a humble mind, I approached the Lord of Aruṇādri, who is full of compassion, and asked, “How shall I, a mortal, worship you today with offerings fit for humans? O illustrious one, instruct me in the means by which you may be approached. Teach me the various forms of worship prescribed in the scriptures.” The compassionate Lord, all-pervading in essence, showed me his favor as I bowed before him. He said, “Worship the Lord known as Aruṇādriśvara with the power of your austerities.” Then Śiva revealed to me his subtle form as the liṅga. My heart, now fulfilled and at peace, perceived that all the forms prescribed in the scriptures had become invisible to me, lost in the wonder of his presence. With reverence I asked, “O embodiment of compassion, my Lord and master, may I truly know you myself? What is the proper hymn, what is the correct worship, and who are the attendants here? How does human worship of you continually grow and flourish? Supreme Lord, be gracious—command everything yourself.” At that moment, the Lord summoned Viśvakarman, who had arrived, and commanded him: “Build for me a divine temple, resplendent with great jewels.” Śiva, the glorious one, then spoke of the order of worship, describing the different names and forms. “Hear also from me,” he said, “about those attendants who were created for the purpose of worship. He who is renowned on earth for the welfare of all worlds—you should always worship the one known as Aruṇādriśvara. She whose name is Apītakuca upholds the greatness of this place. For the sake of the festival, the great god is to be worshipped, surrounded by his sons of enjoyment. Always bearing the deer and the axe, he stands with a serene countenance, radiating fearlessness to the worlds and endowed with unimpeded splendor.” Thus, the sacred worship of Śiva at Śoṇādri was revealed, with all its divine attendants and prescribed rituals, shining forth as a source of blessings for all devotees.